📢Out today in @Lancet: major Institute for Musculoskeletal Health led trial finds #opioids NOT effective for people with acute back and/or neck pain. This is the largest placebo controlled trial of its kind. doi.org/10.1016/S0140-… #OPALtrial #backpain #neckpain

347 people with acute back and/or neck pain were randomised to either an opioid (oxycodone/naloxone) or a visually identical placebo, for up to 6 weeks. The results were unexpected.

People in the opioid group had worse outcomes compared to the placebo group in several measures including pain, quality of life (mental health) and physical function in the long term.

Completing the OPAL trial was a massive team effort. OPAL was led by IMH’s Caitlin Jones, Christine Lin, Chris Maher, @JaneJlatimer in collaboration with Andrew McLachlan, Ric Day, bart koes, Laurent Billot and Sana Shan

Opioids no more effective than placebo for acute back and neck pain Read the paper here: thelancet.com/journals/lance…

Significant outcome for the management of #acutelowback and #neckpain showing #opioids can do more harm than good!

theconversation.com/opioids-dont-r…

This is the result of a great team effort between the investigators, the clinical research professionals, and the wonderful network of doctors who recruited and cared for the participants. So proud to have been involved. Institute for Musculoskeletal Health Christine Lin Caitlin Jones Sydney MSK

Results of a world-first trial comparing a short course of opioids to placebo for acute back & neck pain calls for change to treatment guidelines. 🔗sydneyuni.co/46u1ZDi #LeadershipForGood

An excellent interview with Anne Twomey (constitutional lawyer) addressing some of the issues circulating about the Voice. Very clear, informative and free of moral grandstanding. Well worth a listen. The Voice with Anne Twomey abc.net.au/listen/program… via ABC Australia

Tomorrow is World Day for Physical Activity! We all know #physicalactivity improves our mental and physical health, and reduces our risk of #falls. But it can be hard to get motivated. We are more likely to keep up with it if we do activities we enjoy 🤸‍♀️ #WDPA2024

In recognition of #InternationalDayOfPeopleWithDisability last week, we'd like to celebrate the contributions of Claire Coulter. Claire has worked with us for 6+yrs. She helps maintain our office area, and brings joy and positivity to the workplace. University of Sydney Sydney Local Health District

If you've visited us, you were probably met by Claire's smiling face! Claire is a valuable member of our team and it would be hard to imagine our IMH office without her.

Over 7 million Aussies live with #musculoskeletal conditions, and yet they receive less funding for research and treatments compared with other conditions. Check out Sydney MSK's suggestions for how to move forward👇 tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.10… Sydney Local Health District University of Sydney Kolling Institute