Dr Rodrigo Rossi Nogueira Rizzo

Dr Rodrigo Rossi Nogueira Rizzo

Research Associate
Medicine & Health
School of Health Sciences

Dr. Rodrigo Rizzo is a Medical Research Future Funding (MRFF) Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and the School of Health Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW). Dr. Rizzo worked as a physiotherapist and clinical hypnotherapist to help people with chronic pain for almost 20 years.

Dr. Rizzo is interested in implementing evidence-based practice in primary care and developing or optimising new non-pharmacological interventions to manage chronic pain, particularly back pain. Dr. Rizzo is using cutting-edge digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and mobile applications, to close the evidence-to-practice gap.

Dr. Rizzo has conducted randomised controlled trials and undertaken process evaluations (e.g., mediation analysis and qualitative analysis) of non-pharmacological interventions for chronic low back pain. He pioneered the combination of hypnotic suggestions as an experiential component for the management of chronic back pain. Dr. Rizzo's innovative approach has been applied to several allied health teams to manage chronic pain, including the Prince of Wales Hospital, St. George's Hospital, and St. Vincent's Hospital in Australia. Dr. Rizzo has established successful industry-academic partnerships to translate evidence into practice and improve the management of pain in primary care.

Location
139 Barker Street, Randwick, 2031 NSW Australia. Neuroscience Research Australia
  • Journal articles | 2024
    Chow BVY; Morgan C; Rae C; Warton DI; Novak I; Davies S; Lancaster A; Popovic GC; Rizzo RRN; Rizzo CY; Kyriagis M; Herbert RD; Bolsterlee B, 2024, 'Human lower leg muscles grow asynchronously', Journal of Anatomy, 244, pp. 476 - 485, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/joa.13967
    Journal articles | 2024
    Gardner T; O'Hagan E; Gilanyi YL; McAuley JH; Jensen MP; Rizzo RR, 2024, 'Using hypnosis in clinical practice for the management of chronic pain: A qualitative study', Patient Education and Counseling, 119, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2023.108097
    Journal articles | 2024
    Gilanyi YL; Rizzo RRN; Sharma S; Venter M; McAuley JH; Jones MD, 2024, 'A Qualitative Study Identifying Barriers and Enablers to Exercise Adherence in People with Chronic Low Back Pain. “It's a personal journey”', Journal of Pain, 25, pp. 104488, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2024.02.002
    Journal articles | 2024
    Norman-Nott N; Hesam-Shariati N; Wewege MA; Rizzo RRN; Cashin AG; Wilks CR; Quidé Y; McAuley JH; Gustin SM; Quide Y, 2024, 'Emotion regulation skills-focused interventions for chronic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis', European Journal of Pain (United Kingdom), 28, pp. 1276 - 1293, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejp.2268
    Journal articles | 2023
    Cashin AG; Lee H; Wand BM; Bagg MK; O'Hagan ET; Rizzo RRN; Stanton TR; Moseley GL; McAuley JH, 2023, 'Mechanisms of education and graded sensorimotor retraining in people with chronic low back pain: A mediation analysis', Pain, 164, pp. 2792 - 2800, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002978
    Journal articles | 2023
    Cashin AG; Wand BM; O'Connell NE; Lee H; Rizzo RRN; Bagg MK; O'Hagan E; Maher CG; Furlan AD; van Tulder MW; McAuley JH, 2023, 'Pharmacological treatments for low back pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2023, pp. cd013815, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013815.pub2
    Journal articles | 2023
    Hansford HJ; Cashin AG; Jones MD; Swanson SA; Islam N; Douglas SRG; Rizzo RRN; Devonshire JJ; Williams SA; Dahabreh IJ; Dickerman BA; Egger M; Garcia-Albeniz X; Golub RM; Lodi S; Moreno-Betancur M; Pearson SA; Schneeweiss S; Sterne JAC; Sharp MK; Stuart EA; Hernán MA; Lee H; McAuley JH, 2023, 'Reporting of Observational Studies Explicitly Aiming to Emulate Randomized Trials: A Systematic Review', JAMA Network Open, 6, pp. E2336023, http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.36023
    Journal articles | 2023
    O'Hagan ET; Cashin AG; Rizzo RRN; Leake HB; Zahara P; Bagg MK; Wand BM; McAuley JH, 2023, 'Development of a booster intervention for graded sensorimotor retraining (RESOLVE) in people with persistent low back pain: A nested, randomised, feasibility trial', Musculoskeletal Care, 21, pp. 444 - 452, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/msc.1715
    Journal articles | 2023
    Rizzo RRN; Wand BM; Leake HB; O'Hagan ET; Bagg MK; Bunzli S; Traeger AC; Gustin SM; Moseley GL; Sharma S; Cashin AG; McAuley JH, 2023, '“My Back is Fit for Movement”: A Qualitative Study Alongside a Randomized Controlled Trial for Chronic Low Back Pain', Journal of Pain, 24, pp. 824 - 839, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2022.12.009
    Journal articles | 2023
    Wewege MA; Bagg MK; Jones MD; Ferraro MC; Cashin AG; Rizzo RRN; Leake HB; Hagstrom AD; Sharma S; McLachlan AJ; Maher CG; Day R; Wand BM; O'Connell NE; Nikolakopolou A; Schabrun S; Gustin SM; McAuley JH; Hagstrom M, 2023, 'Comparative effectiveness and safety of analgesic medicines for adults with acute non-specific low back pain: systematic review and network meta-analysis', BMJ, 380, pp. e072962, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-072962
    Journal articles | 2022
    Bagg MK; Wand BM; Cashin AG; Lee H; Hübscher M; Stanton TR; O'Connell NE; O'Hagan ET; Rizzo RRN; Wewege MA; Rabey M; Goodall S; Saing S; Lo SN; Luomajoki H; Herbert RD; Maher CG; Moseley GL; McAuley JH, 2022, 'Effect of Graded Sensorimotor Retraining on Pain Intensity in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial', JAMA, 328, pp. 430 - 439, http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.9930
    Journal articles | 2022
    Chang WJ; Adie S; Naylor JM; Chowdhury N; Finn H; Rizzo RRN; O'Hagan E; Schabrun SM, 2022, 'Feasibility and safety of combining repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and quadriceps strengthening exercise for chronic pain in knee osteoarthritis: A study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial', BMJ Open, 12, pp. e062577, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062577
    Journal articles | 2022
    Norman-Nott N; Hesam-Shariati N; Cashin AG; Wewege MA; Rizzo RRN; Wilks CR; Quidé Y; McAuley J; Gustin SM; Quide Y, 2022, 'Evaluation of emotion-centric psychological interventions for chronic pain: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis', BMJ Open, 12, pp. 1 - 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063102
    Journal articles | 2022
    O’Hagan E; Rizzo RRN; O’Keeffe M, 2022, 'Impact of being first: comparing media coverage for two studies investigating the relationship between exercise and COVID-19', British Journal of Sports Medicine, 56, pp. 590 - 591, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2021-105012
    Journal articles | 2022
    Rizzo RRN; Cashin AG; Bagg MK; Gustin SM; Lee H; McAuley JH, 2022, 'A Systematic Review of the Reporting Quality of Observational Studies That Use Mediation Analyses', Prevention Science, 23, pp. 1041 - 1052, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11121-022-01349-5
    Journal articles | 2022
    Rizzo RRN; Ferraro MC; Wewege MA; Cashin AG; Leake HB; O'Hagan ET; Jones MD; Gustin SM; McLachlan AJ; Day R; McAuley JH, 2022, 'Targeting neurotrophic factors for low back pain and sciatica: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Rheumatology (United Kingdom), 61, pp. 2243 - 2254, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keab785
    Journal articles | 2021
    Bagg MK; Lo S; Cashin AG; Herbert RD; O'Connell NE; Lee H; Hübscher M; Wand BM; O'Hagan E; Rizzo RRN; Moseley GL; Stanton TR; Maher CG; Goodall S; Saing S; McAuley JH, 2021, 'The RESOLVE Trial for people with chronic low back pain: statistical analysis plan', Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 25, pp. 103 - 111, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2020.06.002
    Journal articles | 2021
    Cashin AG; Folly T; Bagg MK; Wewege MA; Jones MD; Ferraro MC; Leake HB; Rizzo RRN; Schabrun SM; Gustin SM; Day R; Williams CM; McAuley JH, 2021, 'Efficacy, acceptability, and safety of muscle relaxants for adults with non-specific low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis', The BMJ, 374, pp. n1446, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1446
    Journal articles | 2021
    Cashin AG; Lee H; Bagg MK; Wand BM; O'Hagan E; Rizzo RRN; Stanton TR; Lorimer Moseley G; McAuley JH, 2021, 'Investigating the mechanisms of graded sensorimotor precision training in adults with chronic nonspecific low back pain: Protocol for a causal mediation analysis of the resolve trial', JMIR Research Protocols, 10, http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/26053
    Journal articles | 2021
    Cashin AG; Rizzo RRN; Wand BM; O'Connell NE; Lee H; Bagg MK; O'Hagan E; Maher CG; Furlan AD; van Tulder MW; McAuley JH, 2021, 'Non-pharmacological and non-surgical treatments for low back pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD014691
    Journal articles | 2021
    Ferraro MC; Bagg MK; Wewege MA; Cashin AG; Leake HB; Rizzo RRN; Jones MD; Gustin SM; Day R; Loo CK; McAuley JH; Leake H, 2021, 'Efficacy, acceptability, and safety of antidepressants for low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Systematic Reviews, 10, pp. 62, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01599-4
    Journal articles | 2021
    Rizzo RRN; Ferraro MC; Wewege MA; Cashin AG; Leake HB; O’Hagan ET; Jones MD; Gustin SM; McAuley JH; O'Hagan E, 2021, 'Efficacy and safety of medicines targeting neurotrophic factors in the management of low back pain: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis', JMIR Research Protocols, 10, pp. e22905, http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/22905
    Journal articles | 2021
    Rizzo RRN; Lee H; Cashin AG; Costa LOP; Gustin SM; McAuley JH, 2021, 'The mediating effect of pain catastrophizing on pain intensity: The influence of the timing of assessments', European Journal of Pain (United Kingdom), 25, pp. 1938 - 1947, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1810
    Journal articles | 2021
    Rizzo RRN; Wewege MA; Leake HB; McAuley JH, 2021, 'Commentary: The Efficacy of Nerve Growth Factor Antibody for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis Pain and Chronic Low-Back Pain: A Meta-analysis', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, pp. 619344, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.619344
    Journal articles | 2021
    Wun A; Kollias P; Jeong H; Rizzo RR; Cashin AG; Bagg MK; McAuley JH; Jones MD, 2021, 'Why is exercise prescribed for people with chronic low back pain? A review of the mechanisms of benefit proposed by clinical trialists', Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 51, pp. 102307, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102307
    Journal articles | 2020
    Cashin AG; Lee H; Bagg MK; Wand BM; O'Hagan E; Rizzo RRN; Stanton TR; Moseley GL; McAuley JH, 2020, 'Investigating the Mechanisms of Graded Sensorimotor Precision Training in Adults With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: Protocol for a Causal Mediation Analysis of the RESOLVE Trial (Preprint)', , http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/preprints.26053
    Journal articles | 2020
    Rizzo RRN; Ferraro MC; Wewege MA; Cashin AG; Leake HB; O’Hagan ET; Jones MD; Gustin SM; McAuley JH; O'Hagan E, 2020, 'Efficacy and Safety of Medicines Targeting Neurotrophic Factors in the Management of Low Back Pain: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)', , http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/preprints.22905
    Journal articles | 2020
    Wewege MA; Bagg MK; Jones MD; McAuley JH; Cashin AG; Day RO; Ferraro MC; Folly T; Gustin SM; Hagstrom AD; Leake HB; Loo CK; McLachlan AJ; O’Hagan ET; Rizzo RRN; Schabrun SM; O'Hagan E; Hagstrom M, 2020, 'Analgesic medicines for adults with low back pain: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis', Systematic Reviews, 9, pp. 255, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13643-020-01506-3
    Journal articles | 2018
    Rizzo RRN; Medeiros FC; Pires LG; Pimenta RM; McAuley JH; Jensen MP; Costa LOP, 2018, 'Hypnosis Enhances the Effects of Pain Education in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial', Journal of Pain, 19, pp. 1103.e1 - 1103.e9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2018.03.013
  • Conference Papers | 2022
    Chow BVY; Bolsterlee B; Morgan C; Rae C; Warton DI; Novak I; Davies S; Lancaster A; Popovic GC; Rizzo RRN; Rizzo CY; Kyriagis M; Smith M; Muling E; Herbert RD, 2022, 'Three-dimensional architecture and diffusion properties of the medial gastrocnemius muscle in human infants in vivo', in ISMRM Annual Meeting, ISMRM, presented at Joint Annual Meeting ISMRM-ESMRMB ISMRT 31st Annual Meeting, 07 May 2022 - 12 May 2022, http://dx.doi.org/10.58530/2022/3094

NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence, 2023, Australia, New Zealand Back Pain (ANZBACK) Research Network Seeding Grant. A$ 20,000. Chief Investigator. Project: Aid-Back Development: a co-creation of an artificial intelligence chatbot for shared decision-making to improve the management of low back pain in primary care. 

SPHERE Musculoskeletal Academic Group (MUSC CAG) Seeding Grant, 2023, Australia. A$ 40,000. Chief Investigator. Project: Aid-Back Feasibility: the feasibility of integrating an artificial intelligence chatbot for shared decision-making to improve the management of low back pain in primary care. 

Medical Research Future Funding (MRFF): Primary Health Care Digital Innovations. 2021 (start date: 2023). A$1.6M. Chief Investigator. Project: The NOTUS trial (NOn-pharmacological Treatment for chronic low back pain USing digital health technology).

 

Supporting evidence-based decision-making for musculoskeletal pain: The project involves systematic reviews of tools and technologies to support decision-making in primary care, qualitative research to understand patients' and clinicians' views about decision-making tools, co-creation of decision-making tools (e.g., AID-Back: an artificial intelligence chatbot to facilitate decision-making), and evaluation and integration of these interventions into the primary care workflow.

NOn-pharmacological Treatments USing digital health for musculoskeletal pain (The NOTUS Project): Using evidence from high-quality clinical trials and mechanism evaluations (e.g., mediation analysis and qualitative research), the NOTUS project aims to develop, evaluate, and implement non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., pain education combined with clinical hypnosis and behaviour change techniques) delivered via digital technologies for the management of pain.

We have PhD scholarship opportunities and projects for honours students. Keep in touch! 

My Research Supervision

Honours Students:

  • Avi Goodman
  • Isha Mishra
  • Maija Tan
  • Mia Ryan

 

PhD Students: recruiting