Managing Negative Emotions May Help Alleviate Chronic Pain

Understanding how to manage negative emotions like anxiety can help ease chronic pain. Research shows certain therapies that emphasize pain tolerance may be more effective than current treatments.

“Chronic pain is not just a physical sensation; it’s deeply emotional,” explains Nell Norman Knott from the University of New South Wales, Australia. “Around 80% of those with chronic pain experience heightened levels of anxiety and depression,” she adds, noting how existing pain exacerbates negative feelings, intensifying the pain experience.

To assess if this cycle could be disrupted, Norman Knott and her team implemented a program inspired by dialectical behavioral therapy, a variation of cognitive behavioral therapy catering to those with strong emotions. The program centered on mindfulness, emotional management, and pain tolerance.

Eighty-nine chronic pain sufferers, averaging 16 years of discomfort, were assigned to either an 8-week online therapy program with therapists or to receive their prior treatments, such as medications or physical therapy.

After nine weeks, the treatment group showed a roughly 5-point improvement in emotional regulation on a scale of 18-90 compared to the control group. Their pain intensity began to decrease by week 21, and after six months, participants in the control group reported significantly less pain.

“This is both intriguing and hopeful,” remarks Benedict Alter from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He notes that it could particularly benefit individuals without easy access to in-person care. “The online format is significant, as a small number of providers offering treatment is a substantial challenge, often limited to urban settings.”

While the specific mechanisms behind pain reduction remain unclear, he asserts, “Better emotional regulation correlates with improved quality of life, resulting in less pain and decreased functional impairment. Future studies with larger sample sizes could elucidate these mechanisms.”