Chronic pain

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Understanding how the brain is involved in chronic pain

WHAT WE KNOW

One in five Australians experience chronic pain that is serious enough to disable them, costing the country approximately $35 billion a year. People who experience chronic pain (pain that continues for more than three months) often struggle to find effective treatment, and can experience disability and even depression.

We are conducting research into the nature of chronic pain, looking at the role of our brain in the experience of persistent pain, and changes in the central nervous system that may also occur.

The RESOLVE clinical trial is recruiting now – find out more. 

We are also investigating why some people develop excessive pain in response to injury, developing a disorder called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

More information

OUR LATEST RESEARCH

Unravelling the link between chronic pain and mental health disorders


ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SYLVIA GUSTIN, BROOKE NAYLOR, DAVID KANG, ANTON PAULSON, DANIEL HULTBERG, DR NEGIN HESAM-SHARIATI

Chronic pain is a significant problem worldwide that results in enormous suffering and costs to affected individuals, their loved ones, and society. The experience of chronic pain is so much more than a sensation. Chronic pain impacts our emotions, cognition and social life.

The STOPain Study: Using brain-computer-interface intervention for people with neuropathic pain


ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SYLVIA GUSTIN, DR NEGIN HESAM-SHARIATI, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JAMES MCAULEY, IAN SKINNER

Chronic pain is a significant problem worldwide affecting nearly 8 million Australians. Unfortunately, despite the availability of analgesics and other pain therapies, no treatment has been found that benefits the majority of individuals, and most of the available treatments have significant side effects or risks for serious adverse events, e.g. kidney failure.

Medicines for Back Pain


MATTHEW BAGG, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JAMES MCAULEY, PAULINE ZAHARA, ANIKA HAIGH, EDEL O’HAGAN, AIDAN CASHIN, THIAGO FOLLY, DR MARKUS HUEBSCHER
Medicines are a common treatment for back pain. The aim of this program of research is to improve our understanding of the clinical effects of medicines. Several studies constitute this program. 
 
Studies: 
1. A scoping review of analgesic medicines for chronic low back pain
The objective of this study is to identify the available clinical trials of medicines for chronic low back pain.  
This information will contribute to the methodology of Study 3. 
 
2. Evaluation of the impact of unpublished data from clinical trial registries on the effects of medicines for low back pain. 
The objective of this study is to evaluate whether there is a difference between clinical trial data that are published and those that are not published. 
This information will contribute to the methodology of Study 3. 
 
3. Paracetamol, NSAIDs and opioid analgesics for chronic low back pain: a network meta-analysis. 
The objective of this study is to produce information about the clinical effects of available analgesic medicines for chronic low back pain. This information will be available in a Cochrane review to assist clinical prescription of medicines.
Related Publications: 
Bagg MK et al. (2018). Paracetamol, NSAIDS and opioid analgesics for chronic low back pain: a network meta-analysis [Protocol]. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 6.doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013045

SLEEPAIN


ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JAMES MCAULEY, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SYLVIA GUSTIN, EDEL O’HAGAN

For people with back pain who are having trouble with their sleep. We are testing whether a simple sleep tablet will help people reduce their pain and sleep better.

RESOLVE - RECRUITMENT COMPLETED


ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JAMES MCAULEY, MATTHEW BAGG, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SYLVIA GUSTIN

For people with long term back pain that is not getting better. We are testing two pain treatment programs that target the brain, for people with chronic low back pain.

PREVENT


ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JAMES MCAULEY, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SYLVIA GUSTIN, PROFESSOR LORIMER MOSELEY

For people with a new low back pain episode. We are testing early intervention to reduce the risk of developing chronic low back pain.

Identifying cortical and subcortical sites responsible for the divergent sympathetic responses to long-lasting muscle pain


PROFESSOR VAUGHAN MACEFIELD

We are trying to identify how a constant sensory input (muscle pain) causes two divergent patterns of sympathetic response: an increase in MSNA and blood pressure in some individuals and a decrease in others.

The effects of tonic muscle pain on the sympathetic and somatic motor systems


DR INGVARS BIRZNIEKS

Chronic pain, defined as pain lasting for >3 months, typically develops from injuries to deep tissues such as muscle, yet little is known about how long-lasting pain affects a person’s blood pressure or capacity to control their muscles. This project assesses the effects of tonic muscle pain on sympathetic nerve activity and stretch sensitivity of muscle spindles.

TEAM LEADERS IN CHRONIC PAIN

DR SIOBHAN SCHABRUN Senior Research Scientist and Group Leader, NeuRA Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW R.D Wright Biomedical Fellow, NHMRC

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SYLVIA GUSTIN Associate Professor, NeuRA & UNSW Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Fellow, NeuRA & UNSW Registered Psychologist, AHPRA

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JAMES MCAULEY Senior Research Scientist and Group Leader, NeuRA Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Honorary Research Fellow, The George Institute for Global Health

PROFESSOR LORIMER MOSELEY Senior Principal Research Fellow, NeuRA NHMRC Principal Research Fellow Professor of Clinical Neurosciences & Foundation Chair in Physiotherapy, University of South Australia

What else is happening in Chronic pain research at NeuRA?

FEEL THE BUZZ IN THE AIR? US TOO.

The importance of medical research - Professor Peter Schofield AO

Associate Professor James McAuley, says the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration’s rescheduling of over the counter opioids is a positive step in curbing opioid addiction, but it is now more important than ever for clinicians and patients to be aware of opioid-free treatment options for chronic pain. “Drugs are a great solution to pain for the first one to two […]

James McAuley
NeuRA BLOG: Pain free and drug free

Entering the vital next phase in our fight against Alzheimer’s

‘Take care of all your memories… for you cannot relive them.’ The words of the American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan are so true… for you cannot relive them. For Amanda, a big turning point was the moment a test showed she carried the family’s early-onset Alzheimer’s gene. Would she see her 50th birthday? And would her most treasured family memories fade away like an old album of yellowing photos? Another turning point was her vow to take part in a large clinical trial in the hope of sparing her children’s lives, since they had a 50% chance of carrying the gene too. “Sign me up... I’m your girl”, she said. The day-by-day pressure on Amanda’s life in her Alzheimer’s clinical trial has been enormous. And her bravery and endurance only heighten the pressure on us to keep up – and intensify – the fight against the hideous disease of Alzheimer’s.
APPEAL
Colour Your Hair for Mental Health
Hypnosis transforming chronic pain treatment

Unravelling the link between chronic pain and mental health disorders

Chronic pain is a significant problem worldwide that results in enormous suffering and costs to affected individuals, their loved ones, and society. The experience of chronic pain is so much more than a sensation. Chronic pain impacts our emotions, cognition and social life.
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