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Pain: past, present and future

R Melzack1

  • 1McGill University.

Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology = Revue Canadienne De Psychologie Experimentale
|December 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The gate control theory revolutionized pain research by introducing spinal cord mechanisms. However, new brain function theories are needed to explain complex chronic pain conditions like phantom limb pain.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pain Research
  • Psychology

Background:

  • Descartes' model proposed direct pain transmission to the brain.
  • The 1965 gate control theory introduced spinal cord mechanisms influencing pain signals.
  • Psychological factors are integrated into pain research due to the gate control theory.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address limitations of the gate control theory in explaining chronic pain.
  • To introduce a new theory of brain function for complex pain mechanisms.
  • To explore implications for psychological assumptions in pain science.

Main Methods:

  • Review of Descartes' pain transmission concept.
  • Analysis of the gate control theory of pain (1965).
  • Description of a new theory of brain function and related research.

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Main Results:

  • The gate control theory explains some pain modulation but not all chronic pain.
  • Phantom limb pain and other complex pain conditions require advanced brain mechanism understanding.
  • The new brain function theory offers insights into complex pain problems.

Conclusions:

  • Existing pain theories are insufficient for certain chronic pain conditions.
  • A novel theory of brain function is presented to elucidate complex pain.
  • This research has significant implications for both pain science and psychology.