The drive for a more person-centred approach in the broader field of clinical medicine is also gaining traction in chronic pain treatment. Despite current advances, a further departure from ‘business as usual’ is required to ensure that the care offered or received is not only effective but also considers personal values, goals, abilities, and day-to-day realities. Existing work typically focuses on explaining pain symptoms and the development of standardised interventions, at the risk of overlooking the broader consequences of pain in individuals’ lives and individual differences in pain responses. This review underscores the importance of considering additional factors, such as the influence of chronic pain on an individual’s sense of self. It explores innovative approaches to chronic pain management that have the potential to optimise effectiveness and offer person-centred care. Furthermore, it delves into research applying hybrid and individual formulations, along with self-monitoring technologies, to enhance pain assessment and the tailoring of management strategies. In conclusion, this review advocates for chronic pain management approaches that align with an individual’s priorities and realities while fostering their active involvement in self-monitoring and self-management.

Check out our new paper published in the Journal of PainLink opens in a new window on mental defeat and suicidality. This is our first publication based on data collected for the WITHIN study. We thank our staff and research participants for their invaluable contribution!

Results from this prospective cohort study suggest that mental defeat is a significant predictor of increased suicide risk among patients with chronic pain, along with depression, perceived stress, head pain, and active smoking status. These findings offer a novel avenue for assessment and preventative intervention before risk escalates.

Check out our new paperLink opens in a new window to be published in the Journal of Sleep Research's Insomnia Special Issue. It's an accesible primer to cognitive models of insomnia published since 1980.

📰 PRESS RELEASE: New treatment revealed to help people with chronic pain come off prescription opioidshttps://t.co/DTakOk05xV@warwickmed @Uniofwarwick @DrHSandhu @adfurlan #Opiods #Prescription #ClinicalTrialsDay pic.twitter.com/rNTb3bcMQz

— Warwick Newsroom (@warwicknewsroom) May 23, 2023

A new paper on suicidal thoughts and behaviour in chronic pain published in Pain Medicine (the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine) is now available for viewing. The paper is a result of our collaboration with the UPenn team led by Dr Martin Cheatle and can be downloaded here .