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Pain catastrophizing: a critical review
Phillip J Quartana1, Claudia M Campbell, Robert R Edwards
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. pquarta1@son.jhmi.edu
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
|May 1, 2009
Summary
Pain catastrophizing, a negative response to pain, impacts outcomes. This review explores its conceptualization, mechanisms, and role in pain treatment, proposing a new model for research.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Pain Management
Background:
- Pain catastrophizing is a negative cognitive-affective response to pain.
- It is linked to significant pain-related outcomes.
- Understanding its mechanisms is crucial for effective pain management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the conceptualization and theoretical mechanisms of pain catastrophizing.
- To examine its role as a process factor in pain treatment.
- To propose an integrated heuristic model for future research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on conceptual history and theoretical mechanisms.
- Analysis of evidence supporting pain catastrophizing in treatment.
- Development of a heuristic model based on current understanding.
Main Results:
- Pain catastrophizing has a complex conceptual history with areas needing clarification.
- Multiple theoretical mechanisms (appraisal, attention, communal coping, CNS, psychophysiological, neural pathways) are implicated.
- Evidence suggests pain catastrophizing is a key process factor in pain treatment outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Pain catastrophizing significantly influences pain perception and treatment effectiveness.
- An integrated heuristic model is proposed to guide future research in this field.
- This model aims to advance the understanding and management of pain catastrophizing.
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