A hypothesis defining an objective end point for the relief of chronic pain

A three-part hypothesis for an objective end point for pain is presented: 1) chronic pain results in a characteristic, but reproducible, pattern for the distribution of T lymphocytes in the various phases of their cell cycle; 2) Significant reduction or complete loss of chronic pain will cause a reproducible change in the distribution of T lymphocytes in their cell cycle; 3) The change in T lymphocytes cell cycle distribution will be a function of the degree of recovery from the pain experience. A preliminary test of the hypothesis is presented. The cell cycle distribution of T cell lymphocytes was determined in a group of 10 subjects (experiencing chronic pain) before and after participating in a 10-day educotherapy program given by a master teacher. Associated with a significant reduction of pain was a highly significant shift of the T cell lymphocytes into the S phase of the cell cycle. This observation is consistent with parts one and two of the hypothesis.