Researchers from UNSW Sydney and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) have developed a novel approach to alleviating chronic pain that does not rely on medication. Dubbed ‘Pain and Emotion Therapy,’ this method aims to alleviate pain by effectively managing the emotional factors associated with it.
A controlled trial led by Professor Sylvia Gustin and Dr Nell Norman-Nott has yielded promising results, set to be published soon. Professor Gustin explained that by altering emotional responses, the perception of pain can also be shifted, offering not just transient relief but significant long-term benefits for chronic pain sufferers.
Chronic pain affects over 3.2 million Australians, often leading individuals to seek help from general practitioners. This widespread issue significantly strains healthcare resources, costing the nation more than heart disease, diabetes, and cancer combined.
Chronic pain is categorised as lingering for more than three months following an injury or medical procedure. In an innovative study, researchers employed an online therapy platform that trains participants to regulate emotions positively, therefore enhancing their pain management.
The trial, ongoing from March 2023 to September 2024, has involved 89 participants struggling with various forms of chronic pain. One participant, Richard Beaumont, who has battled cancer and chronic lower back pain for over a decade, reported a substantial improvement, managing to reduce his pain from an intensity of eight or nine down to four or five after undergoing the therapy.
The authors of the study indicated that the outcomes suggest the potential for new treatment pathways for chronic pain, particularly since a significant number of individuals (up to 80%) experience issues such as depression and anxiety alongside their pain. Notably, participants who received the therapy reported a pain intensity reduction equivalent to a substantial 10-point decrease on a 100-point scale after six months.
Professor Gustin highlighted the importance of emotional regulation in chronic pain management, stating that while medications are valuable, they often come with limitations. The findings of the study point towards emotional regulation as a critical component that has been overlooked in chronic pain treatment approaches.
Overall, ‘Pain and Emotion Therapy’ represents a promising new strategy to not only reduce pain but also enhance the quality of life for those affected by chronic pain conditions, potentially changing how we understand and approach pain management.