Around one fifth of all adults in Europe (75 million people) suffer from chronic pain; the associated physical and mental problems make the daily lives of many patients extremely difficult. In a recent study, psychologists from the universities of Luxembourg, Ghent, Lillehammer and Melbourne conducted research into how the human capacity to regulate emotions such as fear, sadness or stress affects the subjective perception of pain.
“We’re constantly regulating our emotions. The fundamental assumption is that all humans have a certain capacity to manage their emotions”, explains Prof. Claus Vögele, Head of the “Self-Regulation and Health” research group at the University of Luxembourg. For the study, the researchers asked 74 patients with chronic pain to keep a diary of their emotions and day-to-day fluctuations over a period of two weeks. They were also asked to answer questions on their daily mood, how stressed the felt and the extent to which they were inhibited by their pain. “People have many ways how they cope with chronic pain. Many are fully able to go about their daily business; others not at all. It’s important to determine not only how acutely pain is felt, but also the effects it has on behavioural patterns”, explained Silke Rost, psychologist at the University of Luxembourg and main author of the study.
The researchers discovered that patients who struggle to control their negative emotions and, as a result, experience strong mood swings on a daily basis, are more likely to encounter pronounced problems in their daily lives. For instance, they may be subject to physical restrictions or cognitive disorders. According to the study, which is due to be published in the internationally renowned journal Pain, patients who experience pain, but are able to deal with their emotions adequately, are less likely to suffer serious consequences.
The study is the first to investigate in a systematic fashion the association between daily mood changes and chronic pain. “Chronic pain is often considered purely from a medical viewpoint. However, it’s also important for patients to learn how to perceive their feelings and to cope with them. Using this method, they can influence the way in which they deal with their day-to-day suffering and lessen their physical and mental impediments”, stated Silke Rost.
Based on these study results the researchers recommend that affected patients seek advice from a psychologist in order to devise strategies and identify opportunities for learning how to cope with their emotions. In this way, they can alleviate their pain and reduce the associated impediments. The researchers will continue with their work to understand these associations even better. In the long term, the newly acquired knowledge should help in improving existing treatment approaches and in developing new therapy concepts.
Photo by Michel Brumat, University of Luxembourg
