Dr Scott Farrell
Affiliate of RECOVER Injury Research Centre
RECOVER Injury Research Centre
Affiliate of Centre for Innovation in Pain and Health Research (CIPHeR)
Centre for Innovation in Pain and Health Research
Research Fellow
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
+61 7 344 34952
Researcher biography
Dr Scott Farrell BPhty(Hons) PhD FACP 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 a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, past Chair of the Qld branch of the Australian Physiotherapy Association Pain National Group, and research affiliate with the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital.
Book Chapter
Farrell, Scott F., deZoete, Rutger M.J., Klyne, David M., Schmid, Annina B., Polli, Andrea, Nijs, Jo and Sterling, Michele (2024). Biological Contributors to Musculoskeletal Pain and Disability. Grieve's Modern Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. (pp. 22-35) edited by Deborah Falla, Jeremy Lewis, Christopher McCarthy, Chad E. Cook and Michele Sterling. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-7020-8089-0.00005-7
Journal Articles
Collyer, Martin R., Sterling, Michele, Armfield, Nigel R., Xie, Yanfei, Cabot, Peter J., Elphinston, Rachel A., Klyne, David M. and Farrell, Scott F. (2026). Systemic C-reactive protein and vitamin D are not associated with development of chronic musculoskeletal pain over a 2–7 year follow-up period. The Journal of Pain, 44 106297, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2026.106297
Ranathunga, Nayomi, Sterling, Michele, Sierra-Silvestre, Eva, Chen, Junze, Schmid, Annina B., Bisset, Leanne, Coppieters, Michel W. and Farrell, Scott F. (2026). Small nerve fibre pathology in non-neuropathic chronic pain conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain, 167 (3), 509-527. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003826
Sterling, Michele, Farrell, Scott F., Ferguson, Lisa, Mitchell, Geoffrey, Schug, Stephan, Ware, Robert S., Dinh, Michael, Celenza, Antonio, Connelly, Luke, Hodges, Paul W., Klyne, David M., Elphinston, Rachel, Nikles, Jane, McAuley, James and Lin, Chung-Wei Christine (2026). A Phase III triple-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial to evaluate effectiveness of early treatment with pregabalin to reduce pain severity after whiplash road traffic injury: study protocol for the PRioRTI Trial {1}. Trials, 27 (1) 186, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s13063-026-09479-9
Ridehalgh, Colette, Fundaun, Joel and Farrell, Scott (2026). Neuro-immune contributors to persistent musculoskeletal pain: from mechanisms to clinical assessment and management. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 81 103468, 103468. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103468
Uckac, Bade, Ogonowski, Natalia S., García-Marín, Luis M., Diaz-Torres, Santiago, Farrell, Scott F., Nyholt, Dale R. and Rentería, Miguel E. (2026). Decoding chronic pain: integrating genetics, neuroimaging, and AI for precision management. Frontiers in Pain Research, 7 1747942, 7. doi: 10.3389/fpain.2026.1747942
Armfield, N. R., Farrell, S. F., Gabbe, B. J., Elphinston, R. A., Kosgallana, S., Connelly, L. B. and Sterling, M. (2025). Health related quality of life in the UK Biobank Experience of Pain follow-up study: a comparison with general population norms. American Journal of Epidemiology, 194 (10), 2954-2967. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwaf113
Ogonowski, Natalia S., Chafota, Freddy, Cao, Fangyuan, Lim, Amanda Wei Yin, Flores‐Ocampo, Victor, Díaz‐Torres, Santiago, Ceja, Zuriel, García‐Marín, Luis M., Farrell, Scott F., Kumar, Kishore R., Alty, Jane, Mellick, George D., Ngô, Trung Thành and Rentería, Miguel E. (2025). Chronic Pain in Parkinson’s Disease: Prevalence, Sex Differences, Regional Anatomy and Comorbidities. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, 12 (12) acn3.70174, 2422-2432. doi: 10.1002/acn3.70174
Sterling, Michele, Elphinston, Rachel A., Farrell, Scott F., Papic, Christopher and Xie, Yanfei (2025). Non-malignant diseases: health outcomes after musculoskeletal injury. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, 19 (3) 10.1097/SPC.0000000000000766, 155-161. doi: 10.1097/SPC.0000000000000766
Vidyasagar, Prajna, Farrell, Scott F., Colorado, Luisa Holguin, Dando, Samantha and Edwards, Katie (2025). Corneal nerve morphology in painful diabetic neuropathy: a meta-analysis of in vivo confocal microscopy studies. Biomedicines, 13 (7) 1675, 1-21. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines13071675
Farrell, Scott F. and Ranathunga, Nayomi (2025). Editorial: Neuro-immune contributions to musculoskeletal pain – clinical and research implications. European Journal of Physiotherapy, 27 (4), 201-203. doi: 10.1080/21679169.2025.2517966
Farrell, Scott F., Armfield, Nigel R., Kristjansson, Eythor, Niere, Ken, Christensen, Steffan Wittrup McPhee and Sterling, Michele (2025). Trajectories of cold but not mechanical sensitivity correspond with disability trajectories after whiplash injury. Pain, 166 (6) 03461, 1328-1342. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003461
Hoffmann, M., Farrell, S. F., Colorado, L. H., Sterling, M. and Edwards, K. (2025). Corneal nerve axonal characteristics in chronic whiplash-associated disorder: an in vivo confocal microscopy case series. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 49 (2) 102624, 102624. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2026.102624
Chen, Junze, Farrell, Scott F., Huang, Wanyun Irene, Cagnie, Barbara, Murillo, Carlos and Sterling, Michele (2025). Differences in the clinical presentation of chronic whiplash-associated disorders and nontraumatic neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain, 166 (8), 1738-8. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003554
Senarath, Iresha Dilhari, Weerasekara, Ishanka, Humphries, Melissa, Chen, Kexun Kenneth, Farrell, Scott F and de Zoete, Rutger M J (2025). Physical exercise therapy for chronic non-specific neck pain: protocol for a meta-analysis of individual participant data. Systematic Reviews, 14 (1) 43, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s13643-025-02789-0
Hoffmann, M., Farrell, S., Colorado, L. H. and Edwards, K. (2024). Discordant dry eye disease and chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 47 (6) 102248, 102248. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2024.102248
Farrell, Scott, Smith, Ashley, Schneider, Byron, Schneider, Geoff, Grondin, Diane, Gelley, Geoffrey, Bobos, Pavlos, Maher, Christopher G. and Gross, Anita R. (2024). Glucocorticoid facet joint injection for chronic back or neck pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2024 (11) CD015354, 1-34. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD015354
Xie, Yanfei, Farrell, Scott F, Armfield, Nigel and Sterling, Michele (2024). Serum vitamin D and chronic musculoskeletal pain: a cross-sectional study of 349,221 adults in the UK. The Journal of Pain, 25 (9) 104557, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104557
Klyne, David M., Hilliard, Brendan A., Harris, Michele Y., Amin, Mamta, Hall, Michelle, Besomi, Manuela, Mustafa, Sanam, Farrell, Scott F., Rawashdeh, Oliver, Han, Felicity Y., Hodges, Paul W., Frara, Nagat and Barbe, Mary F. (2024). Poor sleep versus exercise: A duel to decide whether pain resolves or persists after injury. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity - Health, 35 100714, 100714. doi: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100714
Farrell, Scott F., Armfield, Nigel R., Cabot, Peter J., Elphinston, Rachel A., Gray, Paul, Minhas, Gunjeet, Collyer, Martin R. and Sterling, Michele (2024). C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with chronic pain independently of biopsychosocial factors. The Journal of Pain, 25 (2), 476-496. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.09.008
Farrell, Scott F., Edmunds, Devon, Fletcher, John, Martine, Harry, Mohamed, Hashem, Liimatainen, Jenna and Sterling, Michele (2023). Effectiveness of psychological interventions delivered by physiotherapists in the management of neck pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. PAIN Reports, 8 (3) e1076, 1-18. doi: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000001076
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 and widespread pain. European Spine Journal, 32 (6), 2078-2085. 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, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Cornwall, Jon, Farrell, Scott F. and Sheard, Philip W. (2016). Fibre types of human suboccipital muscles. European Journal of Anatomy, 20 (1), 31-36.
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
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
Conference Papers
Vidyasagar, Prajna, Farrell, Scott, Colorado, Luisa H., Dando, Samantha and Edwards, Katie (2025). Corneal Nerve Morphology in Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: A Meta-Analysis of In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Studies. 2025 ARVO Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT United States, 4-8 May 2025. Rockville, MD United States: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
Edwards, Katie, Hoffnann, Mark, Farrell, Scott, Sterling, Michelle and Colorado, Luisa H. (2024). Novel corneal nerve abnormalities in individuals with chronic whiplash associated disorder. 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, United States, 5-9 May 2024. Rockville, MD, United States: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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.
Working Paper
Armfield, Nigel and Farrell, Scott (2022). Computational classification of self-reported medication data in the UK Biobank. The University of Queensland Australia.