Pain: Theory, Research, and Intervention (Health Psychological Series)

* What explanations have been advanced for pain and and what are their shortcomings? * How do theoretical models account for apparent anomalies in the experience of pain? * What are the implications for clinical practice and how has practice guided theory? Psychology has made an enormous contribution to the understanding of pain and its phenomena, mechanisms, and treatments. This book explores and integrates current research in key areas of pain and pain management from a psychological perspective, and places recent developments in an historical context. The experience of pain cannot be captured in physiological terms, and treatments based on physical models are often inadequate. This book explores the multidimensional nature of pain mechanisms, including the roles of past experience, culture and personality, and considers the implications for research and treatment. The approach is primarily theoretical, but with a significant emphasis on clinical practice and application. This balance is often lacking in comparable texts, and is enhanced by the professional and research background of the authors. This clear and approachable text includes self-contained chapters that can be regarded as units of study and a unified glossary of terms completes the package. It is designed to provide a key resource for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate courses in health psychology, clinical psychology and social psychology as well as students and practitioners in health and social welfare.

the Book Contains No Figures.

patricia A. Cole

this Small Paperback Offers A Brief Review Of The History Of The Various Theories Of Pain, Recent Research On Pain Mechanisms, And Psychological Interventions In The Treatment Of Pain. As The Second In A Series On Health Psychology, The Book Seeks To Review The Role Psychology Can Play In The Promotion And Maintenance Of Health And The Treatment Of Illness And Disability. In Reviewing Psychology's Contributions To The Various Theories Of Pain And Strategies For The Treatment Of Acute And Chronic Pain, The Authors Hope To Provide Both A History Of Pain Theories And Treatment And A Critical Review Of The Current Research Literature From A Psychological Standpoint. It Is Perhaps Not Surprising That This Ambitious Goal Is Not Fully Met, Given The Size And Complexity Of The Subject. The Authors Attempt To Deal With The Physiology And The Psychology Of All Types Of Pain, Including Acute, Intermittent, Chronic Malignant, And Chronic Benign Pain. The Authors Present This Work As A Resource For Advanced Undergraduate And Graduate Students In Psychology As Well As Other Health Practitioners With An Interest In Pain. However, The Chapters On Physiological Mechanisms Of Pain Appear Too Advanced For An Introductory Text For Students, While The Chapter On Interventions Is Not Advanced Enough. The Authors Are From The University Of Southampton In The U.k. One Is Experienced In Multidisciplinary Pain Management And The Other Has Experience In Acute Pain Management. The Lack Of Illustrations Is A Serious Drawback: Several Concepts, Especially Certain Physiological Pain Mechanisms And Psychological Concepts (e.g., The Emory Pain Model) Are More Easily Grasped, Particularly By Students Unfamiliarwith The Field, By Graphic Representation. The Inclusion Of A Glossary Of Neurophysiological And Anatomical Terms Is A Strength Of The Book. This Book Provides A Good Review Of The Effect Of Some Of The Familial, Social, And Cultural Factors Affecting Acute And Chronic Pain, But Surprisingly Little Mention Of The Role Of Economic Factors, Including Litigation, Workers Compensation, Disability Compensation, Job Dissatisfaction, Or Fear Of Economic Downsizing. These Factors Are Known To Be Significant Predictors Of Ongoing Pain And Disability As Well As Success In Programs Aimed At Functional Restoration. Patients Suffering Pain And Health Practitioners Struggling With Treatment Recommendations And Disability Ratings Are Equally Affected By These Issues. The Chapter On Psychological Contributions To Treatment Is Not As Full As The Major Advances In This Field Would Warrant. The Concurrent Use Of Medical And Psychological Treatments In Multidisciplinary Chronic Pain Management Programs Is Not Addressed, Nor Is The Controversy Over The Use Of Chronic Opiate Treatment For Chronic Benign Pain. The Authors Do Not Cover Interventions Aimed At Changing Family Contingencies Nor Those That Assess And, If Necessary, Teach, Basic Coping Skills (such As Communication, Problem Solving, Stress Management, Etc.). I Would Not Recommend The Book To Educators In The Psychology Field.

Exploring and integrating current research in key areas of pain and pain management from a psychological perspective, this work places recent developments in an historical context. It explores the multidimensional nature of pain mechanisms - considering past experience, culture and personality The historical development of pain research and understanding of pain phenomena are discussed, with reference to both philosophical and scientific thought, and the degree to which changes in both of these have progressed largely in parallel.