The importance of psychosocial influences on chronic pain

SUMMARY Recent experimental and clinical studies into the nature of chronic pain and its development have highlighted the importance of psychosocial factors on the perception of pain and response to it. There have been advances in the understanding of not only the biological substrate, but also the nature and influence of specific psychological and social factors in particular. A range of new explanatory models have stimulated new approaches to treatment directed not only at the reduction of pain and its impact, but also at the identification of early indicators or risk factors for the development of chronicity. The purpose of this paper is to attempt a summary and integration of these diverse research findings and identify the next set of research challenges that might serve as a basis for more clearly focused and targeted approaches to multifaceted pain management and perhaps contribute to reduction in the burden of chronic pain.