2. syllabus
Pain psychology (briefly) [2 Hours]
a) Define pain, physiology of pain
b) psycho – social factors of pain
c) pain management (Psychological methods)
3. Pain
“An unpleasant sensory and emotional
experience associated with actual or
potential tissue damage, or described in
terms of such damage” ISAP (1979)
One of the most common health problems
that causes people to seek medical attention
Pain is actually beneficial to long-term health
and survival
4. DEFINITION
Pain is a noxious unwanted perception in which
the patient seeks medical intervention.
“Pain is subjective, individual and modified by
degrees of attention, emotional state and the
conditioning of past experiences.” (Livingstone
1943). The intensity of the pain is not directly
proportional to the degree of suffering.
Because it is basically a psychological
experience and depends on how it is
interpreted or experienced
5. TYPES
Acute pain – shorter duration up to six months
Acute monophonic pain
Recurrent acute non-malignant pain
Chronic pain – longer duration > six months
Chronic malignant pain - progressive
Intractable-benign
Chronic pain associated with non-malignancy disease – identifiable
pathology
Chronic non-malignant pain syndrome
Recurrent acute – migraine
Chronic and acute pain may have different causes – behavioral
factors may be involved in acute pain
8. Gate Control Theory
Gate control theory –Melzack & Wall (1965)
severity of pain sensation determined by balance between excitatory and
inhibitory inputs to T cells in spinal cord
C & A-delta nociceptor afferents give excitatory input to dorsal root
ganglion of spinal cord– A-delta (myelinated) about 40 mph and C fibers
(unmyelinated) about 3 mph, other sensory information travels at about
180 -240 mph
Substantia gelatinosa, large diameter A-beta non-nociceptor afferents
give inhibitory input
Increased firing of non-nociceptor afferents causes presynaptic inhibition
of T cells and the spinal gate from excitatory cells to the brain is closed. –
Physical agent modalities and physical activities believed to close the gate
by activating the non-nociceptor afferents
10. Theories of pain
Pain gate theory (Melzack& Wall)
Pattern theory (Sinclair)
Chemical theory (Neurotransmitters) (Encephalin /β-
endorphins)
Descending control theory (PAG /Raphe nucleus
Inhibition)
Substance ‘P’ levels
Serotonin levels
Central Control Mechanisms (by brain)
Specific theory (Unique theory)
11. The same part of the
brain – the anterior
cingulate cortex –
responds to physical
and emotional pain.
Pain in the brain
12. Chemical processes involved in pain
Substance P
Chemical mediator thought to be
involved with transmission of pain.
Associated with inflammatory pain
It excites pain transmitting neurons
when released
Its mechanism is not fully
understood
Glutamate – release affects
amount of pain experienced
Prostaglandins, bradykinin –
released when tissue damaged
13. Chemical processes involved in pain Endorphins
Pain perception modulated by these opiate like
neurotransmitters
The endorphins bind to certain sites on the nervous system
including peripheral nerves
They suppress pain transmission at the spinal cord level by
inhibiting the release of the neurotransmitter gamma
aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the periaqueductal gray matter
(PAGM) and raphe nucleus of the brain
High concentration of opiate receptors in limbic area of brain
explains the stress relief and euphoria associated with opiates
Limbic system involved with emotional component of pain
14. Pain assessment
Physiological measures
EMG – muscle tension
Heart rate
Skin temperature
EEG and brain imaging
Behavioral pain measures
Physical symptoms
Clusters: guarding, bracing, rubbing, grimacing, and sighing
Symptoms can be misrepresented: report and unobtrusive
observation differences – Kremer et al. (1981)
Self-report measures
18. Chronic)
Injury / Insult
Treatment
Failure of Treatment
Loss of Control
Dependence
Reliance on Medication
Pain
Psychological
& Social
Consequences
Adapted from Gill (1997)
Pain Cycle
19. FACTORS AFFECTING PAIN
Physical Factors:
• Pain tolerance
• Body constitution / Genetics
• Age
• Sex
• Temperature
• Climate (Humidity, Cold, Winter)
• Light, darkness
• Noise level
• Avoidance of physical activity
Social Factors:
• Relationship with family • Social Norms
• Politico-Judicial Factors • Cultural effects (occupation,
• Social interactions • Hobbies
Psychological Factors:
• Personality (Introvert / Extrovert)
• Social Context or role (e.g. –
Soldier vs Civilian)
• Attention
• Ecstasy
• Attitudes, past experiences •
Anxiety / Depression
• Learning / Memory (Education)
• Dependency / Conditioning
• Avoidance behavior
• Judgment, Ego, Expectation
29. Psychological methods for controlling pain
Hypnosis
Biofeedback
Relaxation and
distraction
Cognitive - Behavior
therapy
Behavioral Medicine
30. Behavioral/Cognitive Approaches
• Distraction
Music and pain reduction –
Anderson et al. (1991)
• Relaxation
• Progressive technique
• Autogenic technique – use of self
instructions of warmth and
heaviness
31. Behavioral/Cognitive Approaches
• Guided Imagery
• Systematic
desensitization
• Reframing
• Meditation
• Stress management
techniques – not as
effective as other
techniques
• Thinking about the pain
and expectations