Michael Ferraro

RESEARCHER PROFILE

Michael Ferraro

Current Appointment

Trial Manager

m.ferraro@neura.edu.au

Researcher Bio

Michael Ferraro is a clinical researcher and trial manager for the MEMOIR clinical trial. He is member of the Centre for Pain IMPACT, led by Associate Professor James McAuley. Michael’s interests include prognosis research, in particular, the use of prognostic models, which combine multiple patient characteristics to provide individualised risk predictions. He is also interested in the use of medicines for pain and the combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to improve patient outcomes. Michael’s research has been presented both nationally and internationally.

In the MEMOIR trial, Michael will be investigating the efficacy and effectiveness of two novel treatments for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Projects Michael Ferraro is currently involved with

CURRENT PROJECTS

MEMOIR – a clinical trial for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

MICHAEL FERRARO, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JAMES MCAULEY, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SYLVIA GUSTIN, DR HOPIN LEE, AIDAN CASHIN, ANIKA HAIGH

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a serious health condition, affecting approximately 20,000 people in Australia. It is characterised by severe burning, stinging and stabbing pain. People with CRPS are unable to use their painful limb and their ability to work or participate in normal social activities is severely restricted. Currently, there are no effective treatments for CRPS.

A vast body of research has demonstrated changes in brain processes in CRPS. The MEMOIR trial will investigate the effectiveness of two novel brain-directed treatments to reduce pain and improve function in people with CRPS.

MEMOIR consolidates the expertise of scientists and clinicians from NeuRA (A/Prof James McAuley, A/Prof Sylvia Gustin, Mr Michael Ferraro), the University of South Australia (Prof Lorimer Moseley), the University of Sydney (Prof Andrew McLachlan), the University of Notre Dame Australia Fremantle (Prof Benedict Wand, Prof Eric Visser), the University of Exeter (Prof Sallie Lamb), Brunel University London (Dr Neil O’Connell) and the University of Oxford (Dr Hopin Lee).

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the commencement of MEMOIR has been delayed. Recruitment for MEMOIR will commence in September 2020.

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MEMOIR – a clinical trial for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Medicines for Back Pain

MICHAEL FERRARO, RODRIGO RIZZO, HAYLEY LEAKE, MATTHEW JONES, MICHAEL WEWEGE, MATTHEW BAGG, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JAMES MCAULEY, PAULINE ZAHARA, ANIKA HAIGH, EDEL O’HAGAN, AIDAN CASHIN, THIAGO FOLLY, DR MARKUS HUEBSCHER

Medicines are a common treatment for back pain. The aim of this program of research is to improve our understanding of the clinical effects of medicines. Several studies constitute this program.

Studies:

1. A scoping review of analgesic medicines for chronic low back pain

The objective of this study is to identify the available clinical trials of medicines for chronic low back pain.

This information will contribute to the methodology of Study 3.

2. Evaluation of the impact of unpublished data from clinical trial registries on the effects of medicines for low back pain.

The objective of this study is to evaluate whether there is a difference between clinical trial data that are published and those that are not published.

This information will contribute to the methodology of Study 3.

3. Paracetamol, NSAIDs and opioid analgesics for chronic low back pain: a network meta-analysis.

The objective of this study is to produce information about the clinical effects of available analgesic medicines for chronic low back pain. This information will be available in a Cochrane review to assist clinical prescription of medicines.

Related Publications:

Bagg MK et al. (2018). Paracetamol, NSAIDS and opioid analgesics for chronic low back pain: a network meta-analysis [Protocol]. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 6.doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013045