Dr Scott Farrell is a Research Fellow and physiotherapist at RECOVER Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland. His research investigates neurological, genetic and inflammatory mechanisms underpinning chronic musculoskeletal pain, with a particular focus on whiplash associated disorder.
Scott’s research methods span statistical genetics and big data analysis, immunohistochemistry, blood markers, imaging and quantitative sensory testing, including collaborations with University of Oxford, University of Adelaide and Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital. Scott has published in leading pain medicine and neurology journals (e.g., Brain, PAIN, J Pain, Spine J) and received >$2 million in research funding. He is Chair of the QLD Branch of the APA Pain National Group.
Journal Article: Genetic impact of blood C-reactive protein levels on chronic spinal & widespread pain
Farrell, Scott F., Sterling, Michele, Klyne, David M., Mustafa, Sanam, Campos, Adrián I., Kho, Pik-Fang, Lundberg, Mischa, Rentería, Miguel E., Ngo, Trung Thanh and Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel (2023). Genetic impact of blood C-reactive protein levels on chronic spinal & widespread pain. European Spine Journal, 1-8. doi: 10.1007/s00586-023-07711-7
Journal Article: A shared genetic signature for common chronic pain conditions and its impact on biopsychosocial traits
Farrell, Scott F., Kho, Pik-Fang, Lundberg, Mischa, Campos, Adrián I., Rentería, Miguel E., de Zoete, Rutger M.J., Sterling, Michele, Ngo, Trung Thanh and Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel (2023). A shared genetic signature for common chronic pain conditions and its impact on biopsychosocial traits. The Journal of Pain, 24 (3), 369-386. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.10.005
Journal Article: Genetic basis to structural grey matter associations with chronic pain
Farrell, Scott F, Campos, Adrián I, Kho, Pik-Fang, de Zoete, Rutger M J, Sterling, Michele, Rentería, Miguel E, Ngo, Trung Thanh and Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel (2021). Genetic basis to structural grey matter associations with chronic pain. Brain, 144 (12), 3611-3622. doi: 10.1093/brain/awab334
(2022–2024) Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation
Radiologic properties of symptomatic zygapophyseal joints in chronic whiplash: a case-control study
(2019–2020) UQ Early Career Researcher
Neurological factors underlying chronic pain after road traffic injury
Doctor Philosophy
Early interventions to prevent chronic pain after road traffic injury
Doctor Philosophy
Farrell, Scott F., Kho, Pik-Fang, Lundberg, Mischa, Campos, Adrián I., Rentería, Miguel E., de Zoete, Rutger M.J., Sterling, Michele, Ngo, Trung Thanh and Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel (2023). A shared genetic signature for common chronic pain conditions and its impact on biopsychosocial traits. The Journal of Pain, 24 (3), 369-386. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.10.005
Genetic basis to structural grey matter associations with chronic pain
Farrell, Scott F, Campos, Adrián I, Kho, Pik-Fang, de Zoete, Rutger M J, Sterling, Michele, Rentería, Miguel E, Ngo, Trung Thanh and Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel (2021). Genetic basis to structural grey matter associations with chronic pain. Brain, 144 (12), 3611-3622. doi: 10.1093/brain/awab334
Genetic impact of blood C-reactive protein levels on chronic spinal & widespread pain
Farrell, Scott F., Sterling, Michele, Klyne, David M., Mustafa, Sanam, Campos, Adrián I., Kho, Pik-Fang, Lundberg, Mischa, Rentería, Miguel E., Ngo, Trung Thanh and Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel (2023). Genetic impact of blood C-reactive protein levels on chronic spinal & widespread pain. European Spine Journal, 1-8. doi: 10.1007/s00586-023-07711-7
Farrell, Scott F., Kho, Pik-Fang, Lundberg, Mischa, Campos, Adrián I., Rentería, Miguel E., de Zoete, Rutger M.J., Sterling, Michele, Ngo, Trung Thanh and Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel (2023). A shared genetic signature for common chronic pain conditions and its impact on biopsychosocial traits. The Journal of Pain, 24 (3), 369-386. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.10.005
de Zoete, Rutger M. J., Coppieters, Iris and Farrell, Scott F. (2022). Editorial: Whiplash-associated disorder-advances in pathophysiology, patient assessment and clinical management. Frontiers in Pain Research, 3 1071810. doi: 10.3389/fpain.2022.1071810
White, Liam, Smith, Ashley D and Farrell, Scott F (2022). Associations between resting heart rate, resting blood pressure, psychological variables and pain processing in chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a cross-sectional study. Pain Medicine, 23 (11), 1882-1890. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnac075
Nikles, Jane, Keijzers, Gerben, Mitchell, Geoffrey, Farrell, Scott F., Perez, Siegfried, Schug, Stephan, Ware, Robert S., McLean, Samuel A., Connelly, Luke B. and Sterling, Michele (2022). Pregabalin vs placebo to prevent chronic pain after whiplash injury in at-risk individuals: Results of a feasibility study for a large randomised controlled trial. Pain, 163 (2), E274-E284. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002362
Genetic basis to structural grey matter associations with chronic pain
Farrell, Scott F, Campos, Adrián I, Kho, Pik-Fang, de Zoete, Rutger M J, Sterling, Michele, Rentería, Miguel E, Ngo, Trung Thanh and Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel (2021). Genetic basis to structural grey matter associations with chronic pain. Brain, 144 (12), 3611-3622. doi: 10.1093/brain/awab334
Farrell, Scott F., Cowin, Gary J., Pedler, Ashley, Durbridge, Gail, de Zoete, Rutger M. J. and Sterling, Michele (2021). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy assessment of brain metabolite concentrations in individuals with chronic whiplash associated disorder: a cross-sectional study. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 37 (1), 28-37. doi: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000890
Systemic inflammatory markers in neck pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Farrell, Scott F., de Zoete, Rutger M. J., Cabot, Peter J. and Sterling, Michele (2020). Systemic inflammatory markers in neck pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. European Journal of Pain, 24 (9) ejp.1630, 1666-1686. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1630
Farrell, Scott F., Cornwall, Jon and Osmotherly, Peter G. (2020). Magnetic resonance imaging investigation of cervical-spine meniscoid composition: a validation study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 43 (6), 579-587. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2019.10.010
Small fibre pathology in chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a cross-sectional study
Farrell, Scott F., Sterling, Michele, Irving-Rodgers, Helen and Schmid, Annina B. (2020). Small fibre pathology in chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a cross-sectional study. European Journal of Pain, 24 (6) ejp.1549, 1045-1057. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1549
Farrell, Scott F., Cowin, Gary, Pedler, Ashley, Durbridge, Gail and Sterling, Michele (2020). Spinal cord injury is not a feature of chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. European Spine Journal, 29 (6), 1212-1218. doi: 10.1007/s00586-020-06407-6
Zhu, Guan Cheng, Böttger, Karina, Slater, Helen, Cook, Chad, Farrell, Scott F., Hailey, Louise, Tampin, Brigitte and Schmid, Annina B. (2019). Concurrent validity of a low-cost and time-efficient clinical sensory test battery to evaluate somatosensory dysfunction. European Journal of Pain, 23 (10) ejp.1456, 1826-1838. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1456
Best Evidence Rehabilitation for Chronic Pain Part 4: Neck Pain
Sterling, Michele, de Zoete, Rutger M. J., Coppieters, Iris and Farrell, Scott F. (2019). Best Evidence Rehabilitation for Chronic Pain Part 4: Neck Pain. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8 (8) 1219, 1219. doi: 10.3390/jcm8081219
Farrell, Scott F., Smith, Ashley D., Hancock, Mark J., Webb, Alexandra L. and Sterling, Michele (2019). Cervical spine findings on MRI in people with neck pain compared with pain-free controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 49 (6), 1638-1654. doi: 10.1002/jmri.26567
Farrell, Scott F., Stanwell, Peter, Cornwall, Jon and Osmotherly, Peter G. (2019). Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging assessment of lateral atlantoaxial joint meniscoid composition: a validation study. European Spine Journal, 28 (5), 1180-1187. doi: 10.1007/s00586-018-05868-0
Shoulder taping and neuromuscular control
Snodgrass, Suzanne J., Farrell, Scott F., Tsao, Henry, Osmotherly, Peter G., Rivett, Darren A., Chipchase, Lucy S. and Schabrun, Siobhan M. (2018). Shoulder taping and neuromuscular control. Journal of Athletic Training, 53 (4), 395-403. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-68-17
Harris, Samuel, Sterling, Michele, Farrell, Scott F., Pedler, Ashley and Smith, Ashley D. (2018). The influence of isometric exercise on endogenous pain modulation: comparing exercise-induced hypoalgesia and offset analgesia in young, healthy adults. Scandinavian Journal of Pain, 18 (3), 513-523. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2017-0177
Nikles, J., Keijzers, G., Mitchell, G., Schug, S., Ware, R., McLean, S. A., Connelly, L., Gibson, S., Farrell, S. F. and Sterling, M. (2018). Pregabalin versus placebo in targeting pro-nociceptive mechanisms to prevent chronic pain after whiplash injury in at-risk individuals - a feasibility study for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 19 (1) 44, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s13063-018-2450-9
An ectopic intramedullary hematopoietic niche in a cervical spine meniscoid: a case report
Farrell, Scott F. , Petcu, Eugen B. , Cornwall, Jon, Rivett, Darren A. and Osmotherly, Peter G. (2017). An ectopic intramedullary hematopoietic niche in a cervical spine meniscoid: a case report. Vascular Cell, 9 (1) 173. doi: 10.24238/13221-9-1-173
Farrell, Scott F., Khan, Subaat, Osmotherly, Peter G., Sterling, Michele, Cornwall, Jon and Rivett, Darren A. (2017). Lateral atlantoaxial joint meniscoid volume in individuals with whiplash associated disorder: A case-control study. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, 33, 46-52. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2017.11.004
de Zoete, Rutger M. J., Osmotherly, Peter G., Rivett, Darren A., Farrell, Scott F. and Snodgrass, Suzanne J. (2017). Sensorimotor control in individuals with idiopathic neck pain and healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 98 (6), 1257-1271. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2016.09.121
Farrell, S. F. , Osmotherly, P. G. , Cornwall, J. , Sterling, M. and Rivett, D. A. (2017). Cervical spine meniscoids: an update on their morphological characteristics and potential clinical significance. European Spine Journal, 26 (4), 939-947. doi: 10.1007/s00586-016-4915-4
Farrell, Scott F. (2016). Invited commentary of clinically applicable paper – Whiplash injury or concussion? A possible biomechanical explanation for concussion symptoms in some individuals following a rear-end collision. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 44 (3), 174-174.
Snodgrass, Suzanne J., Rivett, Darren, Farrell, Scott, Ball, Kyle, Ashby, Samantha E., Johnston, Catherine L., Nguyen, Kim and Russell, Trevor (2016). Clinical educator and student perceptions of iPad™ technology to enhance clinical supervision: the electronically-facilitated feedback initiative (EFFI). Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 14 (4).
Farrell, Scott F., Osmotherly, Peter G., Cornwall, Jon, Lau, Peter and Rivett, Darren A. (2016). Morphology of cervical spine meniscoids in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a case-control study. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 46 (10), 902-910. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2016.6702
A unique bilateral variation of lateral atlantoaxial joint meniscoid morphology: case report
Khan, Subaat and Farrell, Scott F. (2016). A unique bilateral variation of lateral atlantoaxial joint meniscoid morphology: case report. Anatomy, 10 (2), 153-155. doi: 10.2399/ana.16.026
Farrell, Scott F., Osmotherly, Peter G., Cornwall, Jon and Rivett, Darren A. (2016). Immunohistochemical investigation of nerve fiber presence and morphology in elderly cervical spine meniscoids. The Spine Journal: a multidisciplinary journal of spinal disorders, 16 (10), 1244-1252. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2016.06.004
Vertebral haemangioma compared to bony metastasis on magnetic resonance imaging
Farrell, Scott F., Osmotherly, Peter G. and Lau, Peter (2016). Vertebral haemangioma compared to bony metastasis on magnetic resonance imaging. International Musculoskeletal Medicine, 38 (2), 41-42. doi: 10.1080/17536146.2016.1215022
Fibre types of human suboccipital muscles
Cornwall, Jon, Farrell, Scott F. and Sheard, Philip W. (2016). Fibre types of human suboccipital muscles. European Journal of Anatomy, 20 (1), 31-36.
Morphology and morphometry of lateral atlantoaxial joint meniscoids
Farrell, Scott F., Osmotherly, Peter G., Cornwall, Jon and Rivett, Darren A. (2016). Morphology and morphometry of lateral atlantoaxial joint meniscoids. Anatomical Science International, 91 (1), 89-96. doi: 10.1007/s12565-015-0276-z
The anatomy and morphometry of cervical zygapophyseal joint meniscoids
Farrell, Scott F., Osmotherly, Peter G., Cornwall, Jon and Rivett, Darren A. (2015). The anatomy and morphometry of cervical zygapophyseal joint meniscoids. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 37 (7), 799-807. doi: 10.1007/s00276-014-1406-3
Farrell, Scott F., Davies, Tilman M. and Cornwall, Jon (2015). Use of clinical anatomy resources by musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapists in Australian public hospitals: a cross-sectional study. Physiotherapy Canada, 67 (3), 273-279. doi: 10.3138/ptc.2014-38E
Farrell, Scott F., Osmotherly, Peter G., Rivett, Darren A. and Cornwall, Jon (2015). Can E12 sheet plastination be used to examine the presence and incidence of intra-articular spinal meniscoids?. Anatomy, 9 (1), 13-18. doi: 10.2399/ana.14.046
Farrell, Scott F., Osmotherly, Peter G., Rivett, Darren A. and Cornwall, Jon (2015). Formic acid demineralization does not affect the morphometry of cervical zygapophyseal joint meniscoids. Anatomical Science International, 90 (1), 57-63. doi: 10.1007/s12565-014-0248-8
Can physiotherapists contribute to care in the emergency department?
Farrell, Scott F. (2014). Can physiotherapists contribute to care in the emergency department?. Australasian Medical Journal, 7 (7), 315-317. doi: 10.4066/AMJ.2014.2183
Farrell, Scott (2013). Commentary of 'People seeking treatment for a new episode of neck pain typically have rapid improvement in symptoms: an observational study'. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 41 (2), 73-73.
Osmotherly, Peter G., Farrell, Scott F., Digby, Shane D., Rowe, Lindsay J. and Buxton, Anthony J. (2013). The influence of age, sex, and posture on the measurement of atlantodental interval in a normal population. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 36 (4), 226-231. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.04.004
Genetic, lifestyle and environmental risk factors for chronic pain revealed through GWAS
Lundberg, Mischa, Campos, Adrian I., Farrell, Scott F., Wang, Geng, Sterling, Michele M., Rentería, Miguel E., Ngo, Trung Thanh and Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel (2020). Genetic, lifestyle and environmental risk factors for chronic pain revealed through GWAS. 50th Annual Meeting of the Behavior Genetics Association, Online, 26 June 2020. NEW YORK: SPRINGER.
de Zoete, R., Osmotherly, P., Rivett, D., Farrell, S. and Snodgrass, S. (2016). Sensorimotor control in individuals with idiopathic neck pain and healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. IFOMPT 2016 conference, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 4 - 8 July 2016. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2016.05.041
de Zoete, R. M. J., Osmotherly, P. G., Rivett, D. A., Farrell, S. F. and Snodgrass, S. J. (2015). Sensorimotor control in people with insidious onset neck pain and healthy individuals: a systematic review. Australian Physiotherapy Association conference, Gold Coast, Australia, October 2015.
Computational classification of self-reported medication data in the UK Biobank
Armfield, Nigel and Farrell, Scott (2022). Computational classification of self-reported medication data in the UK Biobank. The University of Queensland Australia.
(2022–2024) Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation
Radiologic properties of symptomatic zygapophyseal joints in chronic whiplash: a case-control study
(2019–2020) UQ Early Career Researcher
Neurological factors underlying chronic pain after road traffic injury
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Early interventions to prevent chronic pain after road traffic injury
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: