
Professor Neil O'Connell
Professor - Evidence-Based Healthcare
Mary Seacole 3rd Floor-Bay 19
- Email: neil.oconnell@brunel.ac.uk
- Tel: +44 (0)1895 268814
- Physiotherapy
- Physiotherapy and Physician Associate
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
Ryan, JM., Burke, J., Byrne, R., Capellari, E., Harvey, A., O'Connell, NE., et al. (2025) 'Pain in adults with cerebral palsy; a systematic review'. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 0 (accepted, in press). ISSN: 0012-1622
Farquharson, E., Roberts, AJ., Warland, AI., Parnis, N. and O'Connell, NE. (2024) 'Prevalence of medial tibial stress syndrome in the British Armed Forces: a population-based study'. BMJ Military Health, 0 (ahead of print). pp. 1 - 7. ISSN: 2633-3767
O'Connell, NE., Belton, J., Crombez, G., Eccleston, C., Fisher, E., Ferraro, MC., et al. (2024) 'Enhancing the trustworthiness of pain research: A call to action'. Journal of Pain, 0 (in press, pre-proof). pp. 1 - 11. ISSN: 1526-5900
Wilkinson, J., Heal, C., Antoniou, GA., Flemying, E., Avenell, A., Barbour, V., et al. (2024) 'A survey of experts to identify methods to detect problematic studies: stage 1 of the INveStigating ProblEmatic Clinical Trials in Systematic Reviews project'. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 175. pp. 1 - 10. ISSN: 0895-4356
Ferraro, MC., O'Connell, NE., Sommer, C., Goebel, A., Bultitude, JH., Cashin, AG., et al. (2024) 'Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Advances in Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment'. Lancet Neurology, 23 (5). pp. 522 - 533. ISSN: 1474-4422
Wilkinson, J., Heal, C., Antoniou, GA., Flemyng, E., Alfirevic, Z., Avenell, A., et al. (2024) 'Protocol for the development of a tool (INSPECT-SR) to identify problematic randomised controlled trials in systematic reviews of health interventions'. BMJ Open, 14 (3). pp. 1 - 8. ISSN: 2044-6055
Mansfield, L., Daykin, N., OConnell, NE., Bailey, D., Forde, L., Smith, R., et al. (2024) 'A mixed methods systematic review on the effects of arts interventions for children and young people at-risk of offending, or who have offended on behavioural, psychosocial, cognitive and offending outcomes: A systematic review'. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 20 (1). pp. 1 - 35. ISSN: 1891-1803
Boniface, G., White, N., Tomlinson, C., Norris, M., OConnell, NE., Williamson, E. and et al. (2023) 'Prescribing hand strengthening exercise for patients with rheumatoid arthritis; clinical cues influencing occupational therapists' and physiotherapists' judgements'. Musculoskeletal Care, 22 (1). pp. 1 - 11. ISSN: 1478-2189
O'Connell, NE., Moore, RA., Stewart, G., Fisher, E., Hearn, L., Eccleston, C., et al. (2023) 'Trials we cannot trust: investigating their impact on systematic reviews and clinical guidelines in spinal pain'. Journal of Pain, 24 (12). pp. 2103 - 2130. ISSN: 1526-5900
Nascimento Leita, M., Kamper, SJ., O'Connell, NE., Michaleff, ZA., Fisher, E., Viana Silva, P., et al. (2023) 'Physical activity and education about physical activity for chronic musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 7 (CD013527). pp. 1 - 54. ISSN: 1465-1858
Ferraro, MC., Cashin, AJ., Wand, BM., Smart, KM., Berryman, C., Marston, L., et al. (2023) 'Interventions for treating pain and disability in adults with complex regional pain syndrome- an overview of systematic reviews'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2023 (6). pp. CD009416. ISSN: 1465-1858
Ferraro, MC., Moore, RA., Williams, ACDC., Fisher, E., Stewart, G., Ferguson, MC., et al. (2023) 'Characteristics of retracted publications related to pain research: a systematic review'. Pain, 164 (11). pp. 2397 - 2404. ISSN: 0304-3959
Wewege, MA., Bagg, MK., Jones, MD., Ferraro, MC., Cashin, AG., Rizzo, RRN., et al. (2023) 'Comparative effectiveness and safety of analgesic medicines for adults with non-specific acute low back pain: systematic review and network meta-analysis'. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 380 (8376). pp. 1 - 15. ISSN: 1759-2151
O'Connell, NE., Moore, RA., Stewart, G., Fisher, E., Hearn, L., Eccleston, C. and et al. (2023) 'Reply to Monticone'. Pain, 164 (4). pp. e239 - e241. ISSN: 0304-3959
Williams, ACDC., Hearn, L., Moore, RA., Stewart, G., Fisher, E., Eccleston, C. and et al. (2023) 'Effective quality control in the medical literature: investigation and retraction vs inaction'. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 157. pp. 156 - 157. ISSN: 0895-4356
Mansfield, L., Daykin, N., OConnell, NE., Bailey, D., Forde, L., Smith, R. and et al. (2023) 'PROTOCOL: A mixed methods systematic review on the effects of arts interventions for at‐risk and offending children and young people on behavioural, psychosocial, cognitive and offending outcomes'. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 19 (1). pp. 1 - 10. ISSN: 1891-1803
Bagg, MK., Wand, BM., Cashin, AG., Lee, H., Hubscher, M., Stanton, TR., et al. (2022) 'Effect of graded sensorimotor retraining on pain intensity in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial'. JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association, 328 (5). pp. 430 - 439. ISSN: 0098-7484
MacRae, CS., Roche, AJ., Sinnett, TJ. and O'Connell, NE. (2022) 'What is the evidence for efficacy, effectiveness and safety of surgical interventions for plantar fasciopathy? A systematic review'. PLoS One, 17 (5). pp. 1 - 23. ISSN: 1932-6203
Smart, KM., Ferraro, MC., Wand, BM. and O'Connell, NE. (2022) 'Physiotherapy for pain and disability in adults with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) types I and II'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2022 (5). pp. CD010853. ISSN: 1465-1858
Boniface, G., Sanchez-Santos, ME., Norris, M., O'Connell, NE., Williamson, E. and Lamb, SE. (2022) 'Understanding prescribed dose in hand strengthening exercise for rheumatoid arthritis: a secondary analysis of the SARAH trial'. Musculoskeletal Care, 20 (4). pp. 899 - 907. ISSN: 1478-2189
O'Connell, NE., Moore, RA., Stewart, G., Fisher, E., Hearn, L., Eccleston, C. and et al. (2022) 'Investigating the veracity of a sample of divergent published trial data in spinal pain'. Pain, 164 (1). pp. 72 - 83. ISSN: 0304-3959
Ferraro, MC., Gibson, W., Rice, ASC., Vase, L., Coyle, D. and O'Connell, NE. (2022) 'Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain'. The Lancet Neurology, 21 (5). pp. 405 - 405. ISSN: 1474-4422
O'Connell, NE., Ferraro, MC., Gibson, W., Rice, ASC., Vase, L., Coyle, D. and et al. (2021) 'Implanted spinal neuromodulation interventions for chronic pain in adults'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021 (12). pp. 1 - 100. ISSN: 1465-1858
Cashin, AG., Wand, BM., OConnell, NE., Lee, H., Bagg, MK., O'Hagan, E., et al. (2020) 'Pharmacological treatments for low back pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020 (12). ISSN: 1465-1858
O'Connell, NE., Gibson, W., Rice, ASC., Vase, L., Coyle, D. and Eccleston, C. (2020) 'Implanted spinal neuromodulation interventions for chronic pain in adults'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020 (10). ISSN: 1465-1858
Boniface, G., Ghandi, V., Norris, M., Williamson, E., Kirtley, S. and O'Connell, NE. (2020) 'A systematic review exploring the evidence reported to underpin exercise dose in clinical trials of rheumatoid arthritis'. Rheumatology, 59 (11). pp. 3147 - 3157. ISSN: 1462-0324
Bagg, MK., Lo, S., Cashin, AG., Herbert, RD., OConnell, NE., Lee, H., et al. (2020) 'The RESOLVE Trial for people with chronic low back pain: statistical analysis plan'. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 25 (1). pp. 103 - 111. ISSN: 1413-3555
Travers, MJ., O'Connell, NE., Tugwell, P., Eccleston, C. and Gibson, W. (2020) 'Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain: the opportunity to begin again'. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 4 (4). pp. ED000139. ISSN: 1469-493X
Yamato, TP., Kamper, SJ., O'Connell, NE., Michaleff, ZA., Fisher, E., Viana Silva, P. and et al. (2020) 'Physical activity and education about physical activity for chronic musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020 (2). pp. 1 - 14.
Ryan, JM., Cameron, MH., Liverani, S., Smith, KJ., O'Connell, N., Peterson, MD., et al. (2019) 'Incidence of falls among adults with cerebral palsy: a cohort study using primary care data from the United Kingdom'. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 62 (4). pp. 477 - 482. ISSN: 0012-1622
Macrae, C., O'Connell, N., Roche, A. and Sinnett, T. (2019) 'What is the evidence for efficacy, effectiveness and safety of surgical interventions for plantar fasciopathy? Protocol for a systematic review.'. BMJ Open, 9 (10). pp. 1 - 6. ISSN: 2044-6055
Ryan, JM., Peterson, MD., Matthews, A., Ryan, N., Smith, KJ., O'Connell, NE., et al. (2019) 'Non-communicable disease among adults with cerebral palsy: A matched cohort study.'. Neurology, 93 (14). pp. e1385 - e1396. ISSN: 0028-3878
OConnell, N. (2019) 'Clinical management in an evidence vacuum. Pharmacological management of children with persistent pain.'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019 (6). pp. ED000135. ISSN: 1469-493X
O'Connell, NE., Smith, KJ., Peterson, MD., Ryan, N., Liverani, S., Anokye, N., et al. (2019) 'Incidence of osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and inflammatory musculoskeletal diseases in adults with cerebral palsy: a population-based cohort study.'. BONE, 125. pp. 30 - 35. ISSN: 8756-3282
Gibson, W., Wand, BM., Meads, C., Catley, MJ. and O'Connell, NE. (2019) 'Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain - an overview of Cochrane Reviews'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4 (4). pp. 1 - 33. ISSN: 1469-493X
Miller, C., Williams, M., Heine, P., O'Connell, NE. and Williamson, E. (2019) 'Current practice in the rehabilitation of complex regional pain syndrome: A survey of practitioners'. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41 (7). pp. 847 - 853. ISSN: 0963-8288
Gibson, W., Wand, BM., Meads, C., Catley, MJ. and O'Connell, NE. (2019) 'Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain - an overview of Cochrane Reviews'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019 (2). pp. CD011890. ISSN: 1469-493X
Ryan, J., Petersen, M., Ryan, N., Smith, K., O'Connell, N., Liverani, S., et al. (2019) 'Mortality due to cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and cancer in adults with cerebral palsy'. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 61 (8). pp. 924 - 928. ISSN: 0012-1622
Smith, KJ., Peterson, MD., O'Connell, NE., Victor, C., Liverani, S., Anokye, N. and et al. (2018) 'Risk of Depression and Anxiety in Adults with Cerebral Palsy'. JAMA Neurology, 76 (3). pp. 294 - 300. ISSN: 2168-6149
O'Keefe, M., Maher, CG., Stanton, TR., O'Connell, NE., Deshpande, S., Gross, DP. and et al. (2018) 'A mass media campaign is needed to counter misconceptions about back pain and promote higher value care.'. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53 (20). pp. 1261 - 1262. ISSN: 0306-3674
Boniface, G., Norris, M., Williams, E., Ghandhi, V., Kirtley, S. and O'Connell, N. (2018) 'What evidence is used to underpin the design of strength-based exercise interventions evaluated in randomised controlled trials for rheumatoid arthritis? A systematic review protocol'. BMJ Open, 8 (9). pp. 1 - 5. ISSN: 2044-6055
Bagg, MK., Mclachlan, AJ., Maher, CG., Kamper, SJ., Williams, CM., Henschke, N., et al. (2018) 'Paracetamol, NSAIDS and opioid analgesics for chronic low back pain: A network meta-analysis'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018 (6). pp. 1 - 26.
O'Connell, NE., Marston, L., Spencer, S., DeSouza, LH. and Wand, BM. (2018) 'Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques for chronic pain'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018 (3). pp. CD008208. ISSN: 1469-493X
O'Connell, NE. and Ward, SP. (2018) 'Low Back Pain: What Have Clinical Guidelines Ever Done for Us?'. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 48 (2). pp. 54 - 57. ISSN: 0190-6011
Cook, C., O'Connell, NE., Hall, T., George, SZ., Jull, G., Wright, AA., et al. (2018) 'Benefits and Threats to Using Social Media for Presenting and Implementing Evidence'. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 48 (1). pp. 3 - 7. ISSN: 0190-6011
Chang, WJ., O'Connell, NE., Beckencamp, PR., Alhassani, G., Liston, MB. and Schabrun, SM. (2017) 'Altered Primary Motor Cortex Structure, Organisation and Function in Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis'. Journal of Pain, 19 (4). pp. 341 - 359. ISSN: 1526-5900
Gittings, P., Gisbrook, T., Edgar, DW., Wood, FM., Wand, BM. and O'Connell, NE. (2017) 'Resistance Training for Rehabilitation after Burn Injury: A Systematic Literature Review & Meta-Analysis'. Burns, 44 (4). pp. 731 - 751. ISSN: 1879-1409
Gibson, W., Wand, BM. and O'Connell, NE. (2017) 'Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for neuropathic pain in adults'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 9 (9). pp. CD011976. ISSN: 1469-493X
Ryan, JM., Cassidy, EE., Noorduyn, SG. and O'Connell, NE. (2017) 'Exercise interventions for cerebral palsy'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD011660 (6). pp. 1 - 203. ISSN: 1469-493X
O'Connell, NE., Wand, BM., Cook, CE. and Ward, SP. (2017) 'Clinical guidelines for low back pain. A critical review of consensus and inconsistencies across three major guidelines.'. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 30 (6). pp. 968 - 980. ISSN: 1521-6942