CAP Profiles

Bio

Bio

Beth Darnall, PhD is Director of the Stanford Pain Relief Innovations Lab. She leads NIH and PCORI-funded clinical trials that broadly investigate behavioral medicine for acute and chronic pain, including a $9M multi-state trial on voluntary patient-centered prescription opioid reduction that is funded by PCORI. She serves as faculty mentor to junior investigators who are Stanford Pain NIDA T-32 post-doctoral research fellows, NIDA K23 awardees, and through the Stanford CTSA.

Her primary interests are developing and investigating novel pain treatments that are scalable, effective, and low burden. She and her team lead international workshops to train clinicians to deliver the single-session evidence-based pain relief skills class, "Empowered Relief" (https://empoweredrelief.com). "Empowered Relief" is available in English, French and Spanish, and exists in healthcare systems in the U.S., and in Australia, U.K., Denmark and Canada, and is the subject of international research. Digital analgesic innovations include on-demand, skills-based, self-regulatory treatment for perioperative patients (“My Surgical Success”), and virtual reality for acute and chronic pain (she is chief science advisor for appliedVR). The broad goal of this collective line of research is to dismantle barriers to effective behavioral medicine for pain and health.

She leads the PCORI-funded EMPOWER study, a 4-state pragmatic randomized controlled clinical trial that is investigating how to best help physicians and patients successfully and voluntarily reduce long term opioid use and chronic pain using patient-centered methods. EMPOWER is a 3-arm RCT comparative effectiveness trial of two evidence-based behavioral treatments, cognitive behavioral therapy for pain and chronic pain self-management, applied within the context of patient-centered opioid tapering (N=1365). This research builds on the team's first report on "Patient-Centered Prescription Opioid Tapering in Community Outpatients with Chronic Pain" (Darnall et al, JAMA Int Med, 2018). Learn more about the EMPOWER study at https://empower.stanford.edu/

Darnall twice briefed the U.S. Congress on the opioid and pain crises, and provided invited testimony to the FDA on iatrogenic harms associated with opioid tapering. In 2020 she joined the NIH Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee as a scientific member. Also in 2020 she was appointed to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Opioid Workgroup of the Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (BSC/NCIPC).

Her work has been featured in outlets such as Scientific American, NPR Radio, BBC Radio, and Nature. In 2018 she spoke on the psychology of pain relief at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Academic Appointments

  • Associate Professor - Med Center Line, Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine
  • Associate Professor - Med Center Line (By courtesy), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Administrative Appointments

  • CDC Opioid Workgroup (BSC/NCIPC), Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (BSC/NCIPC) (2020 - Present)
  • NIH Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee (IPRCC). Scientific member., National Institutes of Health (2020 - 2022)
  • Co-Chair, Acute Pain Task Force, Stanford Hospital (2019 - Present)

Honors & Awards

  • FDA Network of Experts in Digital Health Technologies, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2020)
  • Digital Behavioral Medicine for Pain Relief and Opioid Reduction (invited speaker), NIH 15th Annual Pain Research Consortium Symposium (2020)
  • Opioid Tapering Iatrogenic Risks (invited testimony), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2019)
  • Pain and Opioid Crisis in America (invited speaker), U.S. Congressional Briefing (2018)
  • Non-pharmacologic Treatment for Chronic Pain (invited speaker), National Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology (2018)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Scientific Member, NIH Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee (IPRCC), National Institutes of Health (2020 - Present)
  • CDC Opioid Workgroup Member, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2020 - Present)
  • Network of Experts in Digital Health Technologies, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2020 - Present)
  • Editorial Board, MedPage Today (2020 - Present)
  • Board of Directors, Institute for Brain Potential (2020 - Present)
  • Chief Scientific Advisor, appliedVR (2019 - Present)
  • Co-Chair, Behavioral Medicine Committee, American Academy of Pain Medicine (2019 - Present)
  • Opioid Guideline Task Force, American Academy of Pain Medicine (2019 - Present)
  • Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee (ad hoc member), National Institutes of Health (2019 - 2019)
  • Opioid Advisory Committee, American Academy of Pain Medicine (2017 - Present)
  • Scientific Review and Guidelines Committee, American Academy of Pain Medicine (2017 - Present)
  • Education Initiatives Working Group, International Association for the Study of Pain (2016 - 2018)
  • Committee Member and Co-Author, ACOEM Chronic Pain National Guideline (2016 - 2017)
  • APS Clinical Resources and Guidelines Committee, American Pain Society (2015 - 2018)
  • Committee on the Principles of Analgesic Use in the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Cancer Pain, American Pain Society (2014 - 2016)
  • President, Pain Society of Oregon (2012 - 2012)

Professional Education

  • PhD Training: University of Colorado at Boulder (2002) CO
  • Fellowship: The Johns Hopkins University (2004) MD
  • Internship: Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System (2002) AZ

Community and International Work

  • Stanford Free Back Pain Education Day 2015, Stanford University

    Topic

    Community Outreach for people with back pain

    Partnering Organization(s)

    Stanford Hospitals and Clinics

    Populations Served

    Chronic Back Pain

    Location

    International

    Ongoing Project

    No

    Opportunities for Student Involvement

    No

  • Stanford 2014 Free Chronic Pain Education Day, Stanford University

    Topic

    Living Well with Chronic Pain

    Partnering Organization(s)

    Western Pain Society

    Populations Served

    Chronic Pain

    Location

    Bay Area

    Ongoing Project

    No

    Opportunities for Student Involvement

    No

  • Mirror therapy certification workshops for physicians, trauma, and healthcare providers in Vietnam, Can Tho, Dong Ha, and Hanoi, Vietnam

    Topic

    Self-delivered mirror therapy for phantom pain

    Partnering Organization(s)

    International Association for the Study of Pain; End the Pain Project; HealthSaaS

    Populations Served

    Vietnamese amputees

    Location

    International

    Ongoing Project

    No

    Opportunities for Student Involvement

    Yes

Contact

  • Ashley Gomez Administrative Associate
  • Stanford Pain Management Center 450 Broadway St Pavilion A 1st Fl MC 5340 Redwood City, CA 94063
    • Tel: (650) 723-6238
    Fax: (650) 721-3417

Links

Research & Scholarship

Current Research and Scholarly Interests

Current Research Awards:

PCORI (Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute) 2018 - 2023

“Comparative Effectiveness of Pain Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Chronic Pain Self-Management Within the Context of Opioid Reduction.”
The EMPOWER study is a pragmatic 4-state RCT being conducted in primary care and pain clinics to help physicians and patients with chronic pain safely and effectively reduce opioid use and chronic pain. We are comparing two evidence based group behavioral treatments (cognitive behavioral therapy and chronic pain self management) to facilitate opioid and pain reduction. Total N = 1365 patients.
https://empower.stanford.edu/
Role: Principal Investigator


NIH / NCCIH 09/01/2015 – 08/31/2020
R01AT008561
Title: Single Session Pain Catastrophizing Treatment: Comparative Efficacy & Mechanisms
Role: Multi-PI - Darnall & Mackey

This project seeks to understand mechanisms of pain catastrophizing and optimize rapid delivery of targeted treatment. This comparative effectiveness trial studies the single-session 2-hour behavioral pain medicine class I developed ("Empowered Relief"; see https://empoweredrelief.com) (Darnall et al, J Pain Res, 2014; also see ‘treatment’ at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pain_Catastrophizing).


NIH / NICHD 09/01/2015 – 08/31/2020
R01
Title: Maternal Chronic Pain: Risk for Pain and Poor Outcomes in Children
(PI: Anna Wilson, PhD)
Role: Site PI for Stanford University


My primary interests are in developing and investigating brief, low-cost, low-burden, accessible treatments that empower patients with acute and chronic pain and reduce their pain and burden. The ultimate goal is to scale access to evidence-based behavioral medicine for acute and chronic pain.

EMPOWERED RELIEF: My 2-hour, single-session behavioral medicine skills-based pain class ("Empowered Relief"; https://empoweredrelief) may be embedded into care pathways and health organizations. "Empowered Relief" provides rapid access to evidence-based behavioral medicine at low cost -- up to 85 patients and family members have been treated in a single class. Certified instructors are delivering "Empowered Relief" in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Researchers at McGill University are studying "Empowered Relief" in primary care clinics in Canada. Results for our NIH-funded R01 clinical trial investigating the efficacy and mechanisms of "Empowered Relief" and longer-course CBT will be available in 2020.

MY SURGICAL SUCCESS: "Empowered Relief" was adapted to perioperative patients and digitized to create an e-health intervention called "My Surgical Success" (MSS) that requires no therapist involvement. Our randomized controlled pilot of MSS in breast cancer surgery revealed that patients who engaged with MSS stopped post-operative opioids 6.5 days sooner than those assigned to the health education control intervention (see Darnall, Ziadni et al 2019 Pain Med). We are conducting follow-on studies in orthopedic trauma surgery patients and at the Cleveland Clinic in spine surgery (Sara Davin, PI).

VOLUNTARY OPIOID REDUCTION: I have authored/co-authored 5 books for patients and clinicians on pain and opioid reduction. My national PCORI-funded patient-centered research investigates safe and compassionate opioid de-prescribing (https://empower.stanford.edu) and investigation of behavioral medicine to optimize taper response. Patients helped design the study and chose the name: Effective Management of Pain and Opioid-Free Ways to Enhance Relief; EMPOWER). We are investigating careful methods that empower patients through education, treatment, and ongoing supports to meet their pain care goals.

RECOVERY TOOLKITS: Stanford Hospital is testing the "Recovery Toolkit" program in inpatients. Recovery Toolkits are psychologist-delivered, nurse-delivered, and include multi-media treatment to learn about pain self-management after surgery.

Clinical Trials

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Chronic Pain Self-Management Within the Context of Opioid Reduction: The EMPOWER Study Recruiting

    The proposed study will fill several critical gaps in evidence that are preventing patients and physicians from making informed decisions about their pain care. This project will provide patients taking opioids and physicians with the specific evidence they need to choose the most effective route to pain control, reduced pain interference, opioid reduction, and improved role function, thereby improving patient care. The aims of this study are to (1) reduce or contain prescription opioid use while maintaining pain control and (2) compare the effectiveness of the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for chronic pain (pain-CBT), and no behavioral treatment within the context of patient-centered collaborative opioid tapering (Taper Only). The acronym EMPOWER stands for Effective Management of Pain and Opioid-Free Ways to Enhance Relief. To learn more about the EMPOWER study, please visit: empower.stanford.edu.

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  • Recovery Toolkits: Assessment of Pragmatic Behavioral Pain Medicine Delivered In Hospital After Surgery Recruiting

    Behavioral pain medicine is largely absent from perioperative pathways, and on post-surgical recovery units. The goal of this project was to develop and implement "Recovery Toolkits", physical branded bags presented to patients after surgery. The "Recovery Toolkits" include a descriptive brochure and orientation to the contents of the bag. "Recovery Toolkits" include a behavioral pain medicine self-help book, an app with a downloadable pain management audiofile, earbuds, and a pen. Patients on each unit have access to iPads where they may view a digital behavioral pain medicine program ("My Surgical Success"), consisting of three 15-minute video learning modules. The "Recovery Toolkits" are psychologist-developed and nurse-delivered to every patient on the surgical recovery units. This pragmatic project seeks to understand: 1. Nurse perceived value of the intervention 2. Burden to nurses to deliver the intervention to all patients 3. Patient engagement with the Recovery Toolkits 4. Patient perceived value of the Recovery Toolkits 5. Patient satisfaction with pain care 6. Impact of Recovery Toolkits on pain and opioid use in hospital and at one-month discharge relative to a pre-Recovery Toolkit program cohort of patients.

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  • Development and Validation of a Daily Pain Catastrophizing Scale Not Recruiting

    This study sought to develop and validate a brief, daily version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Digital Behavioral Pain Medicine for Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Patients Not Recruiting

    The primary purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a perioperative digital behavioral pain medicine intervention delivered to orthopedic trauma surgery patients (compared to an active control group that receives digital health education). Aim 1: Determine feasibility of and satisfaction, and perceived utility of "My Surgical Success" Hypothesis 1: For My Surgical Success, the investigators anticipate 50% engagement in the study (feasibility). Of those who complete My Surgical Success, the investigators expect 80% satisfaction ratings, and 80% perceived utility of the information learned. Aim 2: Determine group differences in time to post-surgical pain and opioid cessation. Hypothesis 2: "My Surgical Success" participants will evidence quicker time to post-surgical pain and opioid cessation compared to the HE Control Group. Aim 3: Determine group differences in within-subject pain catastrophizing scores (baseline to post-surgery). Hypothesis 3: "My Surgical Success" participants evidence greater reduction in pain catastrophizing (measured with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale; PCS) compared to the HE Control group. Aim 4: Determine group differences in post-surgical psychological correlates (PROMIS Depression, Anxiety, Function, Pain Interference, Sleep Disturbance, Social Isolation, Fatigue, and Pain Intensity). Hypothesis 4: "My Surgical Success" participants will evidence greater post-surgical function and lower pain related interference compared to the HE Control Group. The goal of this research is to advance our understanding regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of "My Surgical Success" (a digital, perioperative behavioral pain medicine treatment) and its impact on post-surgical outcomes.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Natalie Tanner, 650-723-8386.

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  • My Surgical Success: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of a Pre-surgical Psychological Intervention Not Recruiting

    The primary purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a remote, Internet-based, pre-surgical psychoeducational intervention delivered to patients scheduled for breast cancer surgery (compared to an active control group that receives health education). Aim 1: Determine feasibility, satisfaction, and perceived utility of My Surgical Success. Hypothesis 1: For My Surgical Success, the investigators anticipate 50% engagement in the study (feasibility). Of those who complete My Surgical Success we expect 80% satisfaction ratings, and 80% perceived utility of the information learned. Aim 2: Determine group differences in within-subject pain catastrophizing scores (baseline - 0 to 48 hours before surgery). Hypothesis 2: My Surgical Success participants evidence greater reduction in pain catastrophizing (measured with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale; PCS) compared to the HE Control group. Aim 3: Determine group differences in time to post-surgical pain and opioid cessation. Hypothesis 3: My Surgical Success participants will evidence quicker time to post-surgical pain and opioid cessation compared to the HE Control Group. Aim 4: Determine group differences in post-surgical psychological correlates (PROMIS Depression, Anxiety, Function, Pain Interference, Sleep Disturbance, Sleep Related Impairment, Anger, Fatigue, Global, Distress, and Pain Intensity). Hypothesis 4: My Surgical Success participants will evidence greater post-surgical function and lower pain related interference compared to the HE Control Group. The goal of this research is to advance our understanding regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of remote psychoeducation interventions and impact on post-surgical outcomes.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Patient-Centered Opioid Tapering Study Not Recruiting

    This is an observational study of a voluntary opioid tapering protocol conducted in community outpatients taking long term prescription opioids for chronic pain. Patients who would otherwise continue with their existing opioid prescriptions were encouraged to participate in a voluntary opioid taper program. Interested patients were identified by their pain physician, Dr. Richard Stieg, and then completed an online informed consent document and baseline self-report assessments including types and doses of opioid medications as well as demographic and psychosocial measures, clinical and pain characteristics. Patients were either given or mailed a free copy of a patient book The Opioid-Free Pain Relief Kit, or Less Pain, Fewer Pills: Avoid the dangers of prescription opioids and gain control over chronic pain. Over the following weeks and up to 4 months, Dr. Stieg implemented a slow, individually tailored opioid taper in all patient participants. Follow-up online self-report surveys were completed at 4 months post enrollment. Opioid dose data were confirmed via medical chart review, and doses were converted to a standardized morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD). Main outcome was change in opioid dose baseline to 4 months. Secondary outcome was change in pain intensity (numeric rating scale, 0-10) baseline to 4 months.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Self-Administered Skills-Based Virtual Reality Intervention for Chronic Pain Not Recruiting

    Chronic pain management is optimized with a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial treatment approach. However, patients have limited access to comprehensive care that includes behavioral medicine for chronic pain. Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive technology and emerging digital behavioral pain therapeutic with analgesic efficacy for acute pain. No scientific literature was found for skills-based VR behavioral programs for chronic pain populations. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a self-administered VR program that included content and skills informed by evidence-based cognitive behavioral treatment for chronic pain. The secondary goal was to determine the preliminary efficacy of the VR program in terms of average pain intensity and pain-related interference with activity, stress, mood, and sleep, and its impact on pain-related cognition and self-efficacy. The tertiary goal was to conduct a randomized controlled trial to compare the VR treatment to an audio-only treatment; this comparison isolated the immersive effects of the skills-based VR program, thereby informing potential mechanisms of effect.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Single Session Pain Psychology Treatment: Comparative Efficacy & Mechanisms Not Recruiting

    This study aims to compare the efficacy of a single session psychological treatment, "Empowered Relief" (ER), with the current standard of care, group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) specifically on individuals with chronic low back pain who have pain-specific distress as indexed by pain catastrophizing scores.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Anu Roy, MSc, (650) 497-0484.

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  • Stanford Center for Back Pain Not Recruiting

    The purpose of the Stanford Center for Back Pain is to investigate and characterize the mechanisms of four treatments for chronic low back pain. These interventions (research treatment) include real-time fMRI neurofeedback, mindfulness based stress reduction, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acupuncture treatment. The investigators plan to characterize both mechanisms of treatment effects and efficacy.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Lluvia Gonzalez-Castro, 650-725-0450.

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Teaching

2020-21 Courses

Graduate and Fellowship Programs

  • Pain Management (Fellowship Program)

Publications

All Publications

  • Double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of 8-week self-administered at-home behavioral skills-based virtual reality (VR) for chronic low back pain (during COVID-19). Journal of medical Internet research Darnall, B., Garcia, L., Birckhead, B., Krishnamurthy, P., Mackey, I., Sackman, J., Louis, R., Maddox, T. 2021

    Abstract

    Background: Chronic low back pain is the most prevalent chronic pain condition worldwide and access to behavioral pain treatment is limited. Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive technology that may provide effective behavioral therapeutics for chronic pain.Objective: To conduct a double-blind, parallel arm, single cohort, remote, randomized placebo-controlled trial for a self-administered behavioral skills-based VR program in community-based individuals with self-reported chronic low back pain during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A national online convenience sample of individuals with self-reported non-malignant low back pain > 6 months duration and with average pain intensity > 4/10 was enrolled and randomized 1:1 to one of two daily (56-day) VR programs: (1) EaseVRx (immersive pain relief skills VR program); or (2) Sham VR (2D nature content delivered in a VR headset). Objective device use data and self-reported data were collected. The primary outcomes were the between-group effect of EaseVRx versus Sham VR across time points, and the between-within interaction effect representing the change in average pain intensity and pain-related interference with activity, stress, mood, and sleep over time (baseline to end-of-treatment at day 56). Secondary outcomes were global impression of change and change in physical function, sleep disturbance, pain self-efficacy, pain catastrophizing, pain acceptance, pain medication use, and user satisfaction. Analytic methods included intention-to-treat and a mixed-model framework.The study sample was 179 adults (female: 77%; Caucasian: 91%; at least some college education: 92%; mean age: 51.5 years, SD=13.1; average pain intensity: 5/10, SD=1.2; back pain duration >5 years: 67%). No group differences were found for any baseline variable or treatment engagement. User satisfaction ratings were higher for EaseVRx vs. Sham VR (p<0.0001). For the between-groups factor, EaseVRx was superior to Sham VR for all primary outcomes (highest p-value = .0090), and between-groups Cohen's d effect sizes ranged from 0.40 to 0.49 indicating superiority was moderately clinically meaningful. For EaseVRx, large pre-post effect sizes ranged from 1.17-1.3 and met moderate to substantial clinical importance for reduced pain intensity and pain-related interference with activity, mood, and stress. Between group comparisons for physical function and sleep disturbance showed superiority for the EaseVRx group vs. the Sham VR group (p=0.0224 and p=.0132, respectively). Pain catastrophizing, pain self-efficacy, pain acceptance, prescription opioid use (morphine milligram equivalent; MME) did not reach statistical significance for either group. Use of over-the-counter analgesic use was reduced for EaseVRx (p<0.01) but not for ShamVR.EaseVRx had high user satisfaction and superior and clinically meaningful symptom reduction for average pain intensity and pain-related interference with activity, mood, and stress compared to sham VR. Additional research is needed to determine durability of treatment effects and to characterize mechanisms of treatment effects. Home-based VR may expand access to effective and on-demand non-pharmacologic treatment for chronic low back pain.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04415177.RR2-25291.

    View details for DOI 10.2196/26292

    View details for PubMedID 33484240

  • Self-Administered Skills-Based Virtual Reality Intervention for Chronic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. JMIR formative research Darnall, B. D., Krishnamurthy, P., Tsuei, J., Minor, J. D. 2020

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Background: Patients with chronic pain often have limited access to comprehensive care that includes behavioral pain management strategies. Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive technology and emerging digital behavioral pain therapeutic with analgesic efficacy for acute pain. We found no scientific literature on skills-based VR behavioral programs for chronic pain populations.OBJECTIVE: Objectives: The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a self-administered VR program that included content and skills informed by evidence-based behavioral treatment for chronic pain. The secondary goal was to determine the preliminary efficacy of the VR program in terms of average pain intensity and pain-related interference with activity, stress, mood, and sleep, and its impact on pain-related cognition and self-efficacy. The tertiary goal was to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and compare the VR treatment to an audio-only treatment; this comparison isolated the immersive effects of the VR program, thereby informing potential mechanisms of effect.METHODS: Methods: We conducted an RCT involving an online convenience sample of adults (N=97) 18-65 years of age with self-reported chronic non-malignant chronic low back pain or fibromyalgia with an average pain intensity > 4 over the past month, and chronic pain duration > 6 months. Enrolled participants were randomly assigned to one of two unblinded treatments: (1) VR: a 21-day, skills-based VR program for chronic pain; and (2) Audio: an audio-only version of the 21-day VR program. The analytic dataset included participants who completed at least one of eight surveys administered during the intervention period: VR (n=39) and Audio (n=35).RESULTS: Results: The VR group launched a total of 1067 sessions vs. 1048 sessions for Audio group. The majority of VR participants (19 of 25; 76%) reported no nausea or motion sickness. High satisfaction ratings were reported for VR (24 of 29; 83%) and Audio (26 of 33; 72%). For VR efficacy, symptom improvement over time was found for each pain variable (all P<.001) with results strengthening after two weeks. Importantly, significant time x group effects were found in favor of the VR group for average pain intensity (P=.036), and pain-related inference with activity (P=.005), sleep (P<.001), mood (P<.001), and stress (P=.003). For pain-catastrophizing and pain self-efficacy, we found a significant declining trend for both treatment groups.CONCLUSIONS: Conclusions: High engagement and satisfaction combined with low levels of adverse effects support the feasibility and acceptability for at-home skills-based VR for chronic pain. Significant reduction in pain outcomes over the course of the 21-day treatment both within VR group and compared to an audio-only version suggests VR has the potential to provide enhanced treatment and greater improvement across a range of pain outcomes. These findings provide a foundation for future research on VR behavioral interventions for chronic pain.CLINICALTRIAL: Our CT.gov is in progress and will be received this week (clearly retrospective). The efficacy aim of our pilot study was exploratory and we applied appropriate statistical corrections for multiple comparisons.

    View details for DOI 10.2196/17293

    View details for PubMedID 32374272

  • Patient-centered prescription opioid tapering in community outpatients with chronic pain: 2- to 3-year follow-up in a subset of patients Pain Reports Ziadni, M. S., A, C. L., Krishnamurthy, P., Flood, P., Stieg, R. L., Darnall, B. D. 2020; 5 (5): e851

    View details for DOI 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000851

  • "My Surgical Success": Effect of a Digital Behavioral Pain Medicine Intervention on Time to Opioid Cessation After Breast Cancer Surgery-A Pilot Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial PAIN MEDICINE Darnall, B. D., Ziadni, M. S., Krishnamurthy, P., Flood, P., Heathcote, L. C., Mackey, I. G., Taub, C., Wheeler, A. 2019; 20 (11): 2228–37

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pnz094

    View details for Web of Science ID 000504316200017

  • To treat pain, study people in all their complexity. Nature Darnall, B. 2018; 557 (7703): 7

    View details for DOI 10.1038/d41586-018-04994-5

    View details for PubMedID 29717254

  • Patient-Centered Prescription Opioid Tapering in Community Outpatients With Chronic Pain. JAMA internal medicine Darnall, B. D., Ziadni, M. S., Stieg, R. L., Mackey, I. G., Kao, M. C., Flood, P. 2018; 178 (5): 707–8

    View details for PubMedID 29459978

  • Self-Administered Behavioral Skills-Based At-Home Virtual Reality Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR research protocols Garcia, L., Darnall, B., Krishnamurthy, P., Mackey, I., Sackman, J., Louis, R., Maddox, T., Birckhead, B. 2021; 10 (1): e25291

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is one of the most common and debilitating health conditions. Treatments for chronic low back pain typically focus on biomedical treatment approaches. While psychosocial treatments exist, multiple barriers prevent broad access. There is a significant unmet need for integrative, easily accessible, non-opioid solutions for chronic pain. Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive technology allowing innovation in the delivery of behavioral pain treatments. Behavioral skills-based VR is effective at facilitating pain management and reducing pain-related concerns. Continued research on these emerging approaches is needed.OBJECTIVE: In this randomized controlled trial, we seek to test the efficacy of a self-administered behavioral skills-based VR program as a nonpharmacological home-based pain management treatment for people with chronic low back pain (cLBP).METHODS: We will randomize 180 individuals with cLBP to 1 of 2 VR programs: (1) EaseVRx (8-week skills-based VR program); or (2) Sham VR (control condition). All participants will receive a VR headset to minimize any biases related to the technology's novelty. The Sham VR group had 2D neutral content in a 3D theater-like environment. Our primary outcome is average pain intensity and pain-related interference with activity, stress, mood, and sleep. Our secondary outcomes include patient-reported physical function, sleep disturbance, pain self-efficacy, pain catastrophizing, pain acceptance, health utilization, medication use, and user satisfaction. We hypothesize superiority for the skills-based VR program in all of these measures compared to the control condition. Team statisticians blinded to treatment assignment will assess outcomes up to 6 months posttreatment using an approach suitable for the longitudinal nature of the data.RESULTS: The study was approved by the Western Institutional Review Board on July 2, 2020. The protocol (NCT04415177) was registered on May 27, 2020. Recruitment for this study was completed in July 2020, and data collection will remain active until March 2021. In total, 186 participants were recruited. Multiple manuscripts will be generated from this study. The primary manuscript will be submitted for publication in the winter of 2020.CONCLUSIONS: Effectively delivering behavioral treatments in VR could overcome barriers to care and provide scalable solutions to chronic pain's societal burden. Our study could help shape future research and development of these innovative approaches.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04415177; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04415177.INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR1-10.2196/25291.

    View details for DOI 10.2196/25291

    View details for PubMedID 33464215

  • Development and validation of the Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry body map. Pain reports Scherrer, K. H., Ziadni, M. S., Kong, J., Sturgeon, J. A., Salmasi, V., Hong, J., Cramer, E., Chen, A. L., Pacht, T., Olson, G., Darnall, B. D., Kao, M., Mackey, S. 2021; 6 (1): e880

    Abstract

    Introduction: Critical for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain is the anatomical distribution of pain. Several body maps allow patients to indicate pain areas on paper; however, each has its limitations.Objectives: To provide a comprehensive body map that can be universally applied across pain conditions, we developed the electronic Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR) self-report body map by performing an environmental scan and assessing existing body maps.Methods: After initial validation using a Delphi technique, we compared (1) pain location questionnaire responses of 530 participants with chronic pain with (2) their pain endorsements on the CHOIR body map (CBM) graphic. A subset of participants (n = 278) repeated the survey 1 week later to assess test-retest reliability. Finally, we interviewed a patient cohort from a tertiary pain management clinic (n = 28) to identify reasons for endorsement discordances.Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient between the total number of body areas endorsed on the survey and those from the body map was 0.86 and improved to 0.93 at follow-up. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the 2 body map graphics separated by 1 week was 0.93. Further examination demonstrated high consistency between the questionnaire and CBM graphic (<10% discordance) in most body areas except for the back and shoulders (15-19% discordance). Participants attributed inconsistencies to misinterpretation of body regions and laterality, the latter of which was addressed by modifying the instructions.Conclusions: Our data suggest that the CBM is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the distribution of pain.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000880

    View details for PubMedID 33490848

  • Correction: Self-Administered Behavioral Skills-Based At-Home Virtual Reality Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR research protocols Garcia, L. M., Darnall, B. D., Krishnamurthy, P., Mackey, I. G., Sackman, J., Louis, R. G., Maddox, T., Birckhead, B. J. 2021; 10 (2): e27652

    Abstract

    [This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/25291.].

    View details for DOI 10.2196/27652

    View details for PubMedID 33577465

  • Validation of CARE Scale-7 in treatment-seeking patients with chronic pain: measurement of sex invariance. Pain reports Ziadni, M., You, D. S., Chen, A., Wilson, A. C., Darnall, B. D. 2020; 5 (6): e862

    Abstract

    Objectives: Social and interpersonal factors impact the trajectory of chronic pain. We previously developed and validated a 2-factor, 7-item measure to assess interpersonal factors, including relationship guilt and worry and difficulty prioritizing self-care in chronic pain. Here, we confirm the factor structure and examine the sex invariance of the two-factor structure of the CARE Scale-7.Methods: Data were collected as part of routine clinical care at a tertiary pain clinic using the Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry. Patient participants (67% women) were predominantly middle-aged (M = 50.9 years, SD = 17.8), married (55.2%), and White/non-Hispanic (55.7%). Data included demographics, pain characteristics, CARE Scale-7, pain catastrophizing, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System psychological and physical function measures. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to validate the factor structure of the CARE Scale, and a stepwise approach to measurement invariances by sex examined configural, metric, and scalar invariance.Results: Internal consistency of the scale items ensured suitability for factor analyses. Confirmatory factor analysis findings revealed an overall good fit of the 2-factor model among males and females and that CARE Scale-7 is in fact sex invariant. Finally, CARE Scale-7 showed convergent validity with pain-related outcomes.Discussion: The CARE Scale is the first validated instrument to assess self-care in both sexes among patients with chronic pain. The subscale of difficulty prioritizing self-care emerged as a potentially unique factor that should be integrated in clinical assessment. CARE Scale may facilitate standardized measurement in research and clinical contexts, which may inform a comprehensive treatment focus that integrates individualized self-care planning.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000862

    View details for PubMedID 33204930

  • Daily pain catastrophizing predicts less physical activity and more sedentary behavior in older adults with osteoarthritis. Pain Zhaoyang, R., Martire, L. M., Darnall, B. D. 2020

    Abstract

    Musculoskeletal disorders such as knee osteoarthritis (OA) are the primary cause of chronic pain in older adults. Recommended self-management strategies for knee OA include staying physically active in the face of pain, but many patients avoid activities they are capable of doing. The overall purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which daily pain catastrophizing, a maladaptive coping strategy, could influence OA patients' physical activity and sedentary behavior. The current study utilized data from 143 older knee OA patients who completed electronic daily diaries for 22 days and wore an accelerometer to capture physical activity and sedentary behavior. At the beginning of each day, patients reported their pain catastrophizing regarding the day ahead. Results from multilevel models demonstrated that on mornings when patients catastrophized more than usual about their pain in the day ahead, they spent more time in sedentary behavior and engaged in fewer minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity that day. Cross-day lagged analyses further showed that the effect of morning pain catastrophizing on subsequent sedentary behavior extended to the next day. More time spent in sedentary behavior, in turn, contributed to greater pain catastrophizing the next morning. These findings support the mechanistic role of daily pain catastrophizing in the avoidance of physical activity for older OA patients, and suggest that effective interventions for pain catastrophizing may also reduce sedentary behavior and enhance physical activity, with longer-term benefits for pain management, physical function, and overall health.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001959

    View details for PubMedID 32569091

  • Out of office hours: scalable, on-demand, digital support for patients tapering prescription opioids. Pain Ashton-James, C. E., Glare, P., Darnall, B. D. 2020

    View details for DOI 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001947

    View details for PubMedID 32501860

  • PERCEIVED INJUSTICE MEDIATES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHILDHOOD NEGLECT AND CURRENT FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PAIN Ziadni, M., You, D. S., Mackey, S., Darnall, B. D. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2020: S92

    View details for Web of Science ID 000546262400190

  • ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PAIN CATASTROPHIZING AND FREQUENT CRAVING FOR PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PAIN You, D. S., Ziadni, M., Hah, J., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2020: S89

    View details for Web of Science ID 000546262400184

  • Pain and Psychological Factors "I Need More Pain Medication, Not Less!" PRACTICAL STRATEGIES IN GERIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH: CASES AND APPROACHES Darnall, B. D., Dunn, L. B., CassidyEagle, E. L. 2020: 95–115

    View details for Web of Science ID 000555001100007

  • Emotions Matter: The Role of Emotional Approach Coping in Chronic Pain. European journal of pain (London, England) Ziadni, M. S., You, D. S., Johnson, L., Lumley, M. A., Darnall, B. D. 2020

    Abstract

    Emotional approach coping (EAC) is a potentially adaptive emotion-focused coping style that involves understanding or processing one's emotions and expressing them appropriately. Although EAC has been studied in various populations, little is known about this construct among people with chronic pain, including potential mediators such as negative affect, which might link EAC to pain-related variables, and moderators of these relationships.Participants (N = 670; 76% women; 30% older adults-age 60 or over) with chronic pain completed online the Emotional Approach Coping Scale and measures of pain severity, pain interference, and negative affect. Analyses correlated EAC to pain severity and interference and tested whether gender and age group (older adults vs. young/middle-age adults) moderated the mediated relationships of EAC with pain-related variables through negative affect.Findings reveal that higher EAC was associated with lower pain intensity through lower negative affect in the young/middle-age portion of the sample, but not older adults. Also, higher EAC was associated with lower pain interference through lower negative affect among women in the sample, but not men. The associations of EAC to pain intensity and interference are small in magnitude, however, and should be considered preliminary.EAC is associated with lower pain intensity in young/middle-age adults and lower pain interference in women, and lower negative affect mediates these relationships. These results suggest the potential value of assessing and bolstering emotional approach coping processes in some people with chronic pain.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/ejp.1625

    View details for PubMedID 32603553

  • Promoting Patient-Centeredness in Opioid Deprescribing: a Blueprint for De-implementation Science. Journal of general internal medicine Kertesz, S. G., McCullough, M. B., Darnall, B. D., Varley, A. L. 2020

    Abstract

    A downward trend in opioid prescribing between 2011 and 2018 has brought per-capita opioid prescriptions below the levels of 2006, the earliest year for which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published data. That trend has affected roughly ten million patients who previously received long-term opioid therapy. Any effort to reduce or replace a prior health practice is termed de-implementation. We suggest that the evaluation of opioid prescribing de-implementation has been misdirected, within US policy and health research, resulting in detrimental impacts on patients, their families and clinicians. Policymakers and implementation scientists can address these deficiencies in how we study and how we perform opioid de-implementation by applying an implementation science framework: the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. The Consolidated Framework lays out relevant domains of activity (internal, external, etc.) that influence implementation processes and outcomes. It can deepen our understanding of how policies are chosen, communicated, and carried out. Policymakers and researchers who embrace this framework will need a better approach to measuring success and failure in health care where both pain and opioids are concerned. This would involve shifting from a reductive focus on opioid prescription counts toward measures that are more effective, holistic, and patient-centered.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s11606-020-06254-7

    View details for PubMedID 33145692

  • Perceived Injustice Mediates the Relationship Between Perceived Childhood Neglect and Current Function in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Preliminary Pilot Study. Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings Ziadni, M. S., You, D. S., Sturgeon, J. A., Mackey, S. C., Darnall, B. D. 2020

    Abstract

    Cumulative evidence supports the association between perceived childhood neglect and adulthood psychological and physical health. To date, pathways mediating this association remain largely unknown, though other evidence suggests that negative patterns of appraisal, including injustice perception related to pain, may be shaped by prior adverse social experiences. Consequently, the current study examined perceived injustice about chronic pain as a possible factor connecting childhood neglect and pain-related outcomes, given its relevance for both adaptation to chronic pain and to prior adverse life experiences. Patients (n = 742) visiting a tertiary pain clinic completed a survey administered via the Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry. Path modeling analyses were used to examine perceived injustice as a mediator of the relationships between childhood neglect and affective distress and physical function, after controlling for pain intensity and pain catastrophizing. Patients endorsing childhood neglect reported higher levels of perceived injustice and worse affective distress and physical function. Further, inclusion of perceived injustice as a mediator fully accounted for the relationship between neglect and current levels of physical function, and accounted for a significant proportion of the relationship between neglect and current levels of affective distress. These preliminary findings suggest that perceived injustice appears to be a more proximal factor by which prior experiences of neglect may adversely affect adaptation to chronic pain. Given the single-item assessment of childhood neglect and cross-sectional nature of the current findings, further research may focus on replicating these findings in longitudinal studies with validated measures and examining other adverse social experiences (e.g., abuse, social disparities) that may contribute to injustice perception and poor pain-related outcomes.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s10880-020-09722-8

    View details for PubMedID 32382872

  • Self-reported traumatic etiology of pain and psychological function in tertiary care pain clinic patients: a collaborative health outcomes information registry (CHOIR) study. Scandinavian journal of pain Taub, C. J., Sturgeon, J. A., Chahal, M. K., Kao, M. C., Mackey, S. C., Darnall, B. D. 2020

    Abstract

    Background and aims A sizable body of research has elucidated the significant role of psychological reactions to trauma on pain coping and outcomes. In order to best inform intervention development and clinical care for patients with both trauma and pain at the tertiary care level, greater clarity is needed regarding the magnitude of these effects and the specific pathways through which they may or may not function at the time of first presentation to such a treatment setting. To achieve this, the current study examined the cross-sectional relationships between traumatic etiology of pain, psychological distress (anger, depressive symptoms, and PTSD symptoms), and pain outcomes (pain catastrophizing, physical function, disability status). Methods Using a structural path modeling approach, analyses were conducted using a large sample of individuals with chronic pain (n = 637) seeking new medical evaluation at a tertiary pain management center, using the Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR). We hypothesized that the relationships between traumatic etiology of pain and poorer pain outcomes would be mediated by higher levels of psychological distress. Results Our analyses revealed modest relationships between self-reported traumatic etiology of pain and pain catastrophizing, physical function, and disability status. In comparison, there were stronger relationships between indices of psychological distress and pain catastrophizing, but a weaker pattern of associations between psychological distress and physical function and disability measures. Conclusions To the relatively small extent that self-reported traumatic etiology of pain correlates with pain-related outcomes, these relationships appear to be due primarily to the presence of psychiatric symptoms and manifest most notably in the context of psychological responses to pain (i.e. catastrophizing about pain). Implications Findings from this study highlight the need for early intervention for patients with traumatic onset of pain and for clinicians at tertiary pain centers to include more detailed assessments of psychological distress and trauma as a component of comprehensive chronic pain treatment.

    View details for DOI 10.1515/sjpain-2019-0154

    View details for PubMedID 32191626

  • Efficacy and mechanisms of a single-session behavioral medicine class among patients with chronic pain taking prescription opioids: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials Ziadni, M. S., Chen, A. L., Winslow, T., Mackey, S. C., Darnall, B. D. 2020; 21 (1): 521

    Abstract

    Independent of pain intensity, pain-specific distress is highly predictive of pain treatment needs, including the need for prescription opioids. Given the inherently distressing nature of chronic pain, there is a need to equip individuals with pain education and self-regulatory skills that are shown to improve adaptation and improve their response to medical treatments. Brief, targeted behavioral medicine interventions may efficiently address the key individual factors, improve self-regulation in the context of pain, and reduce the need for opioid therapy. This highlights the critical need for targeted, cost-effective interventions that efficiently address the key psychological factors that can amplify the need for opioids and increased risk for misuse. In this trial, the primary goal is to test the comparative efficacy of a single-session skills-based pain management class to a health education active control group among patients with chronic pain who are taking opioids.Our study is a randomized, double-blind clinical trial testing the superiority of our 2-h, single-session skills-based pain management class against a 2-h health education class. We will enroll 136 adult patients with mixed-etiology chronic pain who are taking opioid prescription medication and randomize 1:1 to one of the two treatment arms. We hypothesize superiority for the skills-based pain class for pain control, self-regulation of pain-specific distress, and reduced opioid use measured by daily morphine equivalent. Team researchers masked to treatment assignment will assess outcomes up to 12 months post treatment.This study aims to test the utility of a single-session, 2-h skills-based pain management class to improve self-regulation of pain and reduce opioid use. Findings from our project have the potential to shift current research and clinical paradigms by testing a brief and scalable intervention that could reduce the need for opioids and prevent misuse effectively, efficiently, and economically. Further, elucidation of the mechanisms of opioid use can facilitate refinement of more targeted future treatments.ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03950791. Registered on 10 May 2019.

    View details for DOI 10.1186/s13063-020-04415-x

    View details for PubMedID 32532346

  • Baseline Characteristics of a Dyadic Cohort of Mothers with Chronic Pain and Their Children. The Clinical journal of pain Wilson, A. C., Stone, A. L., Poppert Cordts, K. M., Holley, A. L., Mackey, S., Darnall, B. D., Palermo, T. M. 2020

    Abstract

    A growing body of research has demonstrated a robust link between parental chronic pain and child pain and psychological function. Although the association between parent and child pain is strong, there are limited data to understand environmental and behavioral processes that account for the association and how this develops over time. This longitudinal cohort study was designed to understand potential mechanisms that confer risk or resilience for chronic pain among child offspring of mothers with chronic pain.The current paper presents baseline data on the cohort to describe pain and psychosocial characteristics of mothers with chronic pain and their 8-12-year old children. 400 mothers with chronic pain and their children were enrolled into the longitudinal study and completed measures of pain, physical, and psychosocial functioning.Mothers reported a range of pain and pain-related disability, and were grouped into four pain grades representing different pain and disability levels. Mothers in these groups differed on rates of widespread pain and opioid use. Maternal pain grades also differed by physical function, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and psychological function. Most children in this sample reported pain and psychosocial symptoms in the non-clinical range, and child variables did not differ by maternal pain grade. Maternal disability and function were concurrently associated with child psychosocial function.While maternal pain grades map broadly onto several dimensions of maternal functioning, they were not significantly related to child pain or function. Results may help identify potential protective factors in the intergenerational transmission of risk for chronic pain.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000864

    View details for PubMedID 32701524

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences in Mothers With Chronic Pain and Intergenerational Impact on Children JOURNAL OF PAIN Dennis, C. H., Clohessy, D. S., Stone, A. L., Darnall, B. D., Wilson, A. C. 2019; 20 (10): 1209–17

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.04.004

    View details for Web of Science ID 000492459600009

  • Daily and bidirectional linkages between pain catastrophizing and spouse responses. Pain Martire, L. M., Zhaoyang, R., Marini, C. M., Nah, S., Darnall, B. D. 2019

    Abstract

    Pain catastrophizing has been shown to predict greater pain and less physical function in daily life for chronic pain sufferers, but its effects on close social partners have received much less attention. The overall purpose of the present study was to examine the extent to which pain catastrophizing is an interpersonal coping strategy that is maladaptive for patients and their spouses. A total of 144 older knee osteoarthritis patients and their spouses completed baseline interviews and a 22-day diary assessment. Multilevel lagged models indicated that, on days when patients reported greater catastrophizing in the morning, their spouses experienced more negative affect throughout the day. In addition, a higher level of punishing responses from the spouse predicted greater pain catastrophizing the next morning, independent of patient pain and negative affect. Multilevel mediation models showed that patients' morning pain catastrophizing was indirectly associated with spouses' negative affect and punishing responses via patients' own greater negative affect throughout the day. There was no evidence that spouses' empathic or solicitous responses either followed or preceded patients' catastrophizing. These findings suggest that cognitive-behavioral interventions that reduce pain catastrophizing should be modified for partnered patients to address dyadic interactions and the spouse's role in pain catastrophizing.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001673

    View details for PubMedID 31408052

  • The National Imperative to Align Practice and Policy with the Actual CDC Opioid Guideline. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) Darnall, B. D. 2019

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pnz152

    View details for PubMedID 31334761

  • Managing Cancer Pain, Monitoring for Cancer Recurrence, and Mitigating Risk of Opioid Use Disorders: A Team-Based, Interdisciplinary Approach to Cancer Survivorship. Journal of palliative medicine Goodlev, E. R., Discala, S., Darnall, B. D., Hanson, M., Petok, A., Silverman, M. 2019

    Abstract

    Background: Palliative care (PC) teams increasingly care for patients with cancer into survivorship. Cancer survivorship transcends distinctions between acute, chronic, malignant, and nonmalignant pain. Partnering with oncologists, PC teams manage pain that persists after disease-directed treatment, evaluate changing symptoms as possible signs of cancer recurrence, taper opioids and mitigate risk of opioid misuse, and manage comorbid opioid use disorder (OUD). While interdisciplinary guidelines exist for pain management in survivorship, there is a need to develop a conceptual model that fully translates the biopsychosocial framework of PC into survivorship pain management. Objective: This review frames a model for pain management in cancer survivorship that balances analgesia with the imperative to minimize risk of OUD, recognizes signs of disease recurrence, and provides whole-person care. Methods: Comprehensive narrative review of the literature. Results: Little guidance exists for co-management of pain, psychological distress, and opioid misuse in survivorship. We identified themes for whole-person pain management in survivorship: use of opioids and co-analgesic medications to prevent recurrent pain from residual tissue damage following cancer treatment, opioid tapering to the lowest effective dose, utilization of nonpharmacologic psychological interventions shown to reduce pain, screening for and management of OUD in partnership with addiction medicine specialists, maintaining vigilance for disease recurrence, and engaging in shared medical decision making. Conclusions: The management of pain in cancer survivorship is complex and requires interdisciplinary care that balances analgesia with the imperative to reduce long-term inappropriate opioid use and manage OUD, while maintaining therapeutic presence with patients in the spirit of PC.

    View details for DOI 10.1089/jpm.2019.0171

    View details for PubMedID 31329500

  • International Stakeholder Community of Pain Experts and Leaders Call for an Urgent Action on Forced Opioid Tapering PAIN MEDICINE Darnall, B. D., Juurlink, D., Kerns, R. D., Mackey, S., Van Dorsten, B., Humphreys, K., Gonzalez-Sotomayor, J. A., Furlan, A., Gordon, A. J., Gordon, D. B., Hoffman, D. E., Katz, J., Kertesz, S. G., Satel, S., Lawhern, R. A., Nicholson, K. M., Polomano, R. C., Williamson, O. D., McAnally, H., Kao, M., Schug, S., Twillman, R., Lewis, T. A., Stieg, R. L., Lorig, K., Mallick-Searle, T., West, R. W., Gray, S., Ariens, S. R., Potter, J., Cowan, P., Kollas, C. D., Laird, D., Ingle, B., Grove, J., Wilson, M., Lockman, K., Hodson, F., Palackdharry, C. S., Fillingim, R. B., Fudin, J., Barnhouse, J., Manhapra, A., Henson, S. R., Singer, B., Ljosenvoor, M., Griffith, M., Doctor, J. N., Hardin, K., London, C., Mankowski, J., Anderson, A., Ellsworth, L., Budzinski, L., Brandt, B., Hartley, G., Heck, D., Zobrosky, M. J., Cheek, C., Wilson, M., Laux, C. E., Datz, G., Dunaway, J., Schonfeld, E., Cady, M., LeDantec-Boswell, T., Craigie, M., Sturgeon, J., Flood, P., Giummarra, M., Whelan, J., Thorn, B. E., Martin, R. L., Schatman, M. E., Gregory, M. D., Kirz, J., Robinson, P., Marx, J. G., Stewart, J. R., Keck, P. S., Hadland, S. E., Murphy, J. L., Lumley, M. A., Brown, K. S., Leong, M. S., Fillman, M., Broatch, J. W., Perez, A., Watford, K., Kruska, K., You, D., Ogbeide, S., Kukucka, A., Lawson, S., Ray, J. B., Martin, T., Lakehomer, J. B., Burke, A., Cohen, R. I., Grinspoon, P., Rubenstein, M. S., Sutherland, S., Walters, K., Lovejoy, T. 2019; 20 (3): 429–33

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pny228

    View details for Web of Science ID 000467966600003

  • Negative Affect-Related Factors Have the Strongest Association with Prescription Opioid Misuse in a Cross-Sectional Cohort of Patients with Chronic Pain. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) Gilam, G., Sturgeon, J. A., You, D. S., Wasan, A. D., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. 2019

    Abstract

    Increased opioid prescription to relieve pain among patients with chronic pain is associated with increased risk for misuse, potentially leading to substance use disorders and overdose death. We aimed to characterize the relative importance and identify the most significant of several potential risk factors for the severity of self-reported prescribed opioid misuse behaviors.A sample of 1,193 patients (mean age ± SD = 50.72 ± 14.97 years, 64.04% female) with various chronic pain conditions completed a multidimensional registry assessing four pain severity measures and 14 physical, mental, and social health status factors using the National Institutes of Health's Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). A validated PROMIS measure of medication misuse was completed by 692 patients who endorsed currently taking opioid medication. Patients taking opioid medications were compared across all measures with those who do not take opioid medications. Subsequently, a data-driven regression analysis was used to determine which measures best explained variability in severity of misuse. We hypothesized that negative affect-related factors, namely anxiety, anger, and/or depression, would be key predictors of misuse severity due to their crucial role in chronic pain and substance use disorders.Patients taking opioid medications had significantly greater impairment across most measures. Above and beyond demographic variables, the only and most significant predictors of prescribed opioid misuse severity were as follows: anxiety (β = 0.15, P = 0.01), anger (β = 0.13, P = 0.02), Pain Intensity-worst (β = 0.09, P = 0.02), and depression (β = 0.13, P = 0.04).Findings suggest that anxiety, anger, and depression are key factors associated with prescribed opioid misuse tendencies in patients with chronic pain and that they are potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pnz249

    View details for PubMedID 31617916

  • Conclusion. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) Sullivan, M. D., Darnall, B. D. 2019; 20 (2): 212

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pny147_3

    View details for PubMedID 31505658

  • Pain and Psychological Factors in Older Adults Practical Strategies in Geriatric Mental Health: Cases and Approaches. Darnall, B. American Psychiatric Press . 2019: 95–116
  • Enhanced Recovery Before Surgery: Preoperative Optimization of the Chronic Pain Patient McAnnally, H., Freeman, L., Darnall, B. Oxford University Press. 2019
  • Comparative Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain and Chronic Pain Self-Management within the Context of Voluntary Patient-Centered Prescription Opioid Tapering: The EMPOWER Study Protocol. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C., Lorig, K., Kao, M. C., Mardian, A., Stieg, R., Porter, J., DeBruyne, K., Murphy, J., Perez, L., Okvat, H., Tian, L., Flood, P., McGovern, M., Colloca, L., King, H., Van Dorsten, B., Pun, T., Cheung, M. 2019

    Abstract

    Evidence to date, while sparse, suggests that patients taking long-term opioids require special considerations and protections to prevent potential iatrogenic harms from opioid de-prescribing, such as increased pain or suffering. Following this study protocol, the EMPOWER study seeks to address multiple unmet needs of patients with chronic pain who desire to reduce long-term opioid therapy, and provide the clinical evidence on effective methodology.EMPOWER applies patient-centered methods for voluntary prescription opioid reduction conducted within a comprehensive, multi-state, 3-arm randomized controlled comparative effectiveness study of three study arms (1) group cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain; (2) group chronic pain self-management; and (3) usual care (taper only). Specialized electronic data capture systems collect patient reported symptoms and satisfaction data weekly and monthly during the taper, with real-time clinical alerts and electronic feedback loops informing, documenting, and steering needed care actions.The EMPOWER study seeks to provide granular evidence on patient response to voluntary opioid tapering, and will provide evidence to inform clinical systems changes, clinical care, patient satisfaction, and patient outcomes for opioid reduction.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pnz285

    View details for PubMedID 31876947

  • Evaluation of Candidate Items for Severe PTSD Screening for Patients with Chronic Pain: Pilot Data Analysis with IRT Approach. Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain You, D. S., Ziadni, M. S., Gilam, G., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. 2019

    Abstract

    Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) commonly co-occurs with chronic pain. Although PTSD symptoms are associated with negative health outcomes in patients with chronic pain, PTSD is typically under-detected and under-treated in outpatient pain settings. There is a need for rapid, brief screening tools to identify those at greatest risk for severe PTSD symptoms. To achieve that goal, our aim was to use item response theory (IRT) to identify the most informative PTSD symptoms characterizing severe PTSD in patients with chronic pain.Fifty-six patients (71% female, 61% White) with mixed etiology chronic pain completed the PTSD Checklist Civilian Version (PCL-C) as part of their appointment with a pain psychologist at a tertiary outpatient pain clinic. We used an IRT approach to evaluate each item's discriminant (a) and severity (b) parameters.Findings revealed that 'feeling upset at reminders' (a = 3.67, b = 2.44) and 'avoid thinking or talking about it' (a = 3.61, b = 2.17) as being highly discriminant for severe PTSD.We identified two candidate items for a brief PTSD screener as they were associated with severe PTSD symptoms. These two items may provide clinical utility in outpatient pain treatment settings to identify those suffering from severe PTSD enabling physicians to refer them to trauma-specific evaluation or therapy. Future research is needed to further validate and confirm these candidate PTSD items in a larger clinic sample.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/papr.12848

    View details for PubMedID 31646748

  • Central mechanisms of real and sham electroacupuncture in the treatment of chronic low back pain: study protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Trials Kong, J., MacIsaac, B., Cogan, R., Ng, A., Law, C. S., Helms, J., Schnyer, R., Karayannis, N. V., Kao, M., Tian, L., Darnall, B. D., Gross, J. J., Mackey, S., Manber, R. 2018; 19 (1): 685

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the most common chronic pain condition and is often resistant to conventional treatments. Acupuncture is a popular alternative for treating CLBP but its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. Evidence suggests that pain regulatory mechanisms (particularly the ascending and secondarily the descending pain modulatory pathways) and psychological mechanisms (e.g., expectations, pain catastrophizing and self-efficacy) may be involved in the pathogenesis of CLBP and its response to treatments. We will examine these mechanisms in the treatment of CLBP by electroacupuncture (EA).METHODS: We present the aims and methods of a placebo-controlled, participant-blinded and assessor-blinded mechanistic study. Adult patients with CLBP will be randomized to receiving 16 sessions of real (active) or sham (placebo) EA over the course of 8weeks. The primary pain regulatory measure for which the study was powered is temporal summation (TS), which approximates ascending pain facilitation. Conditioned pain modulation (CPM), representing a descending pain modulatory pathway, will be our secondary pain regulatory measure. The primary psychological measure is expectations of benefit, and the secondary psychological measures are pain catastrophizing and self-efficacy in managing pain. Main clinical outcomes are back pain bothersomeness on a 0-100 visual analog scale (primary), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (secondary), and relevant items from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Information System (secondary). We hypothesize that compared to sham, real EA will lead to greater reduction in TS after 8 treatment sessions (4weeks); and that reduction in TS (and secondarily, increase in CPM) after 8 treatment sessions will mediate reduction in back pain bothersomeness from baseline to week 10 (clinical response) to EA. We also hypothesize that the three psychological factors are moderators of clinical response. With 100 treatment completers, the study is designed to have 80% power to detect a medium-sized between-group effect (d=0.5) on temporal summation.DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first appropriately powered, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating mechanisms of EA in the treatment of CLBP.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02503475 . Registered on 15 July 15 2015. Retrospectively registered.

    View details for PubMedID 30541586

  • International Stakeholder Community of Pain Experts and Leaders Call for an Urgent Action on Forced Opioid Tapering. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) Darnall, B. D., Juurlink, D., Kerns, R. D., Mackey, S., Van Dorsten, B., Humphreys, K., Gonzalez-Sotomayor, J. A., Furlan, A., Gordon, A. J., Gordon, D. B., Hoffman, D. E., Katz, J., Kertesz, S. G., Satel, S., Lawhern, R. A., Nicholson, K. M., Polomano, R. C., Williamson, O. D., McAnally, H., Kao, M., Schug, S., Twillman, R., Lewis, T. A., Stieg, R. L., Lorig, K., Mallick-Searle, T., West, R. W., Gray, S., Ariens, S. R., Sharpe Potter, J., Cowan, P., Kollas, C. D., Laird, D., Ingle, B., Julian Grove, J., Wilson, M., Lockman, K., Hodson, F., Palackdharry, C. S., Fillingim, R. B., Fudin, J., Barnhouse, J., Manhapra, A., Henson, S. R., Singer, B., Ljosenvoor, M., Griffith, M., Doctor, J. N., Hardin, K., London, C., Mankowski, J., Anderson, A., Ellsworth, L., Davis Budzinski, L., Brandt, B., Harkootley, G., Nickels Heck, D., Zobrosky, M. J., Cheek, C., Wilson, M., Laux, C. E., Datz, G., Dunaway, J., Schonfeld, E., Cady, M., LeDantec-Boswell, T., Craigie, M., Sturgeon, J., Flood, P., Giummarra, M., Whelan, J., Thorn, B. E., Martin, R. L., Schatman, M. E., Gregory, M. D., Kirz, J., Robinson, P., Marx, J. G., Stewart, J. R., Keck, P. S., Hadland, S. E., Murphy, J. L., Lumley, M. A., Brown, K. S., Leong, M. S., Fillman, M., Broatch, J. W., Perez, A., Watford, K., Kruska, K., Sophia You, D., Ogbeide, S., Kukucka, A., Lawson, S., Ray, J. B., Wade Martin, T., Lakehomer, J. B., Burke, A., Cohen, R. I., Grinspoon, P., Rubenstein, M. S., Sutherland, S., Walters, K. R., Lovejoy, T. 2018

    View details for PubMedID 30496540

  • Characterizing chronic pain in late adolescence and early adulthood: prescription opioids, marijuana use, obesity, and predictors for greater pain interference. Pain reports Anastas, T., Colpitts, K., Ziadni, M., Darnall, B. D., Wilson, A. C. 2018; 3 (6): e700

    Abstract

    Introduction: Chronic pain in late adolescence and young adults is understudied and poorly characterized.Objectives: We sought to characterize key variables that may impact pain interference in late adolescents and young adults with chronic pain, including prescription opioid use, marijuana use, psychological symptoms, and obesity.Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional medical chart review for patients aged 17 to 23 years (N = 283; 61% Females) seeking care at a tertiary care pain clinic. Data on pain characteristics, health behaviors, and mental health distress were examined, in addition to self-reported pain intensity and interference.Results: Overlapping pain conditions were common in this young adult sample (mean ≥ 2 pain conditions). Back pain was the most commonly cited pain condition, and the majority of pain was of unknown etiology. Results revealed high rates for current opioid prescription, overweight or obese status, and mental health problems. Those using prescription opioids were more likely to endorse tobacco use and had greater pain interference. Importantly, the presence of mental health distress and opioid use were predictive of higher levels of pain-related interference.Conclusion: Treatment-seeking adolescents and young adults with chronic pain evidence complex care needs that include pain and mental comorbidities, as well as risky health behaviors. Pain and mental health distress were associated with poorer physical health, opioid prescription and marijuana use, and pain-related interference. Findings underscore the need for additional research on pain, treatment patterns, and health behaviors and their impact on developmental trajectories, as well as the need to develop and apply effective early interventions in this at-risk population.

    View details for PubMedID 30706040

  • The factor structure and subscale properties of the pain catastrophizing scale: are there differences in the distinctions? Cook, K., Darnall, B., Mackey, S. SPRINGER. 2018: S38

    View details for Web of Science ID 000445248500093

  • On the Importance of Using the Right Metrics for Patient Outcomes and Payment: Pain, Pain Interference, and Physical Function. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) Darnall, B. D., Sullivan, M. D. 2018

    View details for PubMedID 30247692

  • An experimental method for assessing whether marijuana use reduces opioid use in patients with chronic pain. Addiction (Abingdon, England) Darnall, B. D., Humphreys, K. N. 2018

    View details for PubMedID 29882256

  • Voluntary Opioid Tapering-Reply. JAMA internal medicine Darnall, B. D., Ziadni, M. S., Stieg, R. L. 2018; 178 (6): 875

    View details for PubMedID 29868754

  • The impact of perceived injustice on pain-related outcomes: A combined model examining the mediating roles of pain acceptance and anger in a chronic pain sample Clin J Pain Carrier, J., Sturgeon, J., Yakabov, E., Kao, M., Mackey, S., Darnall, B. 2018: 739–47

    Abstract

    Perceived injustice (PI) has been identified as an important risk factor for pain-related outcomes. To date, research has shown that pain acceptance and anger are mediators of the association between PI and pain-related outcomes. However, a combined conceptual model that addresses the interrelationships between these variables is currently lacking. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the potential mediating roles of pain acceptance and anger on the association between PI and adverse pain-related outcomes (physical function, pain intensity, opioid use status).This cross-sectional study used a sample of 354 patients with chronic pain being treated at a tertiary pain treatment center. Participants completed measures of PI, pain acceptance, anger, physical function, pain intensity, and opioid use status. Mediation analyses were used to examine the impact of pain acceptance and anger on the association between PI and pain-related outcomes.Examination of the specific indirect effects revealed that pain acceptance fully mediated the relationship between PI and physical function, as well as the relationship between PI and opioid use status. Pain acceptance emerged as a partial mediator of the relationship between PI and pain intensity.This is the first study to provide a combined conceptual model investigating the mediating roles of pain acceptance and anger on the relationship between PI and pain outcomes. On the basis of our findings, low levels of pain acceptance associated with PI may help explain the association between PI and adverse pain outcomes. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000602

  • Pain Psychology in the Perioperative and Chronic Pain Contexts Anesthesiology Darnall, B. D., Sturgeon, J. A. McGraw Hill. 2018; 3: 1501–1505
  • Facilitating Patient Resilience: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Acceptance, and Positive Social and Emotional Interventions Psychological Approaches to Pain Management John, S. A., Darnall, B. D. Guilford Press. 2018; 3: 250–263
  • Psychological Treatment for Patients with Chronic Pain Darnall, B. D. American Psychological Association. 2018
  • The Impact of Perceived Injustice on Pain-related Outcomes: A Combined Model Examining the Mediating Roles of Pain Acceptance and Anger in a Chronic Pain Sample. The Clinical journal of pain Carriere, J. S., Sturgeon, J. A., Yakobov, E., Kao, M. C., Mackey, S. C., Darnall, B. D. 2018; 34 (8): 739–47

    Abstract

    Perceived injustice (PI) has been identified as an important risk factor for pain-related outcomes. To date, research has shown that pain acceptance and anger are mediators of the association between PI and pain-related outcomes. However, a combined conceptual model that addresses the interrelationships between these variables is currently lacking. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the potential mediating roles of pain acceptance and anger on the association between PI and adverse pain-related outcomes (physical function, pain intensity, opioid use status).This cross-sectional study used a sample of 354 patients with chronic pain being treated at a tertiary pain treatment center. Participants completed measures of PI, pain acceptance, anger, physical function, pain intensity, and opioid use status. Mediation analyses were used to examine the impact of pain acceptance and anger on the association between PI and pain-related outcomes.Examination of the specific indirect effects revealed that pain acceptance fully mediated the relationship between PI and physical function, as well as the relationship between PI and opioid use status. Pain acceptance emerged as a partial mediator of the relationship between PI and pain intensity.This is the first study to provide a combined conceptual model investigating the mediating roles of pain acceptance and anger on the relationship between PI and pain outcomes. On the basis of our findings, low levels of pain acceptance associated with PI may help explain the association between PI and adverse pain outcomes. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.

    View details for PubMedID 29485535

  • Comparative Efficacy and Mechanisms of a Single-Session Pain Psychology Class in Chronic Low Back Pain: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Trials Darnall, B. D., Ziadni, M. S., Roy, A., Kao, M. C., Sturgeon, J. A., Cook, K. F., Lorig, K., Burns, J. W., Mackey, S. C. 2018; 19 (1): 165

    Abstract

    The Institute of Medicine (IOM) reported that chronic pain affects about 100 million U.S. adults, with chronic low back pain (CLBP) cited as the most prevalent type. Pain catastrophizing is a psychological construct shown to predict the development and trajectory of chronic pain and patient response to pain treatments. While effective treatment for pain catastrophizing typically includes eight-session groups of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a single-session targeted treatment class yielded promising results which, if replicated and extended, could prove to efficiently and cost-effectively reduce pain catastrophizing. In this trial, we seek to determine the comparative efficacy of this novel single-session pain catastrophizing class to an eight-session course of pain CBT and a single-session back pain health education class. We will also explore the psychosocial mechanisms and outcomes of pain catastrophizing treatment.In this trial we will randomize 231 individuals with CLBP to one of three treatment arms: (1) pain-CBT (eight weekly 2-h group sessions with home exercises and readings); (2) a single 2-h pain catastrophizing class; or (3) a single 2-h back pain health education class (active control). For the primary outcome of pain catastrophizing, the trial is designed as a non-inferiority test between pain-CBT and the single-session pain catastrophizing class, and as a superiority test between the single-session pain catastrophizing class and the health education class. Team researchers masked to treatment assignment will assess outcomes up to six months post treatment.If the single-session targeted pain catastrophizing class is found to be an effective treatment for patients with CLBP, this low cost and low burden treatment could dismantle many of the current barriers and burdens of effective pain care. Further, elucidation of the mechanisms of pain catastrophizing treatments will facilitate future research on the topic as well as further development and refinement of treatments.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03167086 . Registered on 22 May 2017.

    View details for PubMedID 29510735

  • CARE Scale - 7: Development and Preliminary Validation of a Measure to Assess Factors Impacting Self-care in Chronic Pain. The Clinical journal of pain Ziadni, M., You, D. S., Wilson, A. C., Darnall, B. D. 2018

    Abstract

    Social and interpersonal factors may impact chronic pain self-care and self-management; however, no integrated measure exists to assess the interplay of these factors. We developed and tested a measure designed to assess salient interpersonal factors, including relationship guilt and worry, and difficulty prioritizing self-care in chronic pain.We tested self-report items broadly relevant to locus of care, limit-setting capacity, and worry/guilt about relationships in 3 discrete chronic pain samples (total N=1,452): (1) online sample of chronic pain clinic patients (N=729; 21 candidate CARE items, sociodemographics, and measures of psychological and physical functioning). Analytic results supported a final 7-item CARE Scale which was next tested in (2) an anonymous online sample of 578 adults with chronic pain. (3) Finally, preliminary validation of the CARE Scale was performed in a tertiary pain clinic sample (N=145).Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 7-item, 2-factor solution (difficulty prioritizing self-care and guilt/worry) that accounted for a combined total of 58% of the variance. CARE Scale-7 had modest convergent validity with pain intensity, pain-related interference, and emotional distress. Extreme difficulty with both factors was reported by about one-third of the total sample, suggesting that relationship factors significantly impact pain management and self-care.Social factors are gaining attention for their influence on the trajectory of chronic pain. The CARE Scale is a brief, integrated measure that may be used to reveal specific interpersonal and personal impediments to self-care, and identify important therapeutic targets to optimize self-management behaviors.

    View details for PubMedID 29554031

  • Optimizing Placebo and Minimizing Nocebo to Reduce Pain, Catastrophizing, and Opioid Use: A Review of the Science and an Evidence-Informed Clinical Toolkit. International review of neurobiology Darnall, B. D., Colloca, L. 2018; 139: 129–57

    Abstract

    Pain, a noxious psychosensory experience, motivates escape behavior to assure protection and survival. Psychological factors alter the experience and trajectory of pain, as well as behavior and treatment response. In the context of pain, the placebo effect (expectation for pain relief) releases endogenous opioids and facilitates analgesia from exogenously administered opioids. Nocebo hyperalgesia (expectation for persistent or worsening pain) opposes endogenous opioid analgesia and patient engagement in prescription opioid tapering. Reductions in nocebo hyperalgesia and pain catastrophizing may enhance descending modulation of pain, mediate adaptive structural brain changes and promote patient engagement in opioid tapering. Interventions that minimize nocebo and optimize placebo may adaptively shape the central nervous system toward pain relief and potentially opioid reduction. Here we provide a critical description of catastrophizing and its impact on pain, placebo and nocebo effects. We also consider the importance of minimizing nocebo and optimizing placebo effects during prescription opioid tapering, and offer a clinical toolkit of resources to accomplish these goals clinically.

    View details for PubMedID 30146045

  • Comparative Efficacy and Mechanisms of a Single-Session Pain Psychology Class in Chronic Low Back Pain: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial Trials Darnall, B., Siadni, M., Roy, A., Kao, M., Sturgeon, J., Cook, K., Lorig, K., Burns, J., Mackey, S. 2018: 165

    Abstract

    The Institute of Medicine (IOM) reported that chronic pain affects about 100 million U.S. adults, with chronic low back pain (CLBP) cited as the most prevalent type. Pain catastrophizing is a psychological construct shown to predict the development and trajectory of chronic pain and patient response to pain treatments. While effective treatment for pain catastrophizing typically includes eight-session groups of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a single-session targeted treatment class yielded promising results which, if replicated and extended, could prove to efficiently and cost-effectively reduce pain catastrophizing. In this trial, we seek to determine the comparative efficacy of this novel single-session pain catastrophizing class to an eight-session course of pain CBT and a single-session back pain health education class. We will also explore the psychosocial mechanisms and outcomes of pain catastrophizing treatment.In this trial we will randomize 231 individuals with CLBP to one of three treatment arms: (1) pain-CBT (eight weekly 2-h group sessions with home exercises and readings); (2) a single 2-h pain catastrophizing class; or (3) a single 2-h back pain health education class (active control). For the primary outcome of pain catastrophizing, the trial is designed as a non-inferiority test between pain-CBT and the single-session pain catastrophizing class, and as a superiority test between the single-session pain catastrophizing class and the health education class. Team researchers masked to treatment assignment will assess outcomes up to six months post treatment.If the single-session targeted pain catastrophizing class is found to be an effective treatment for patients with CLBP, this low cost and low burden treatment could dismantle many of the current barriers and burdens of effective pain care. Further, elucidation of the mechanisms of pain catastrophizing treatments will facilitate future research on the topic as well as further development and refinement of treatments.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03167086 . Registered on 22 May 2017.

    View details for DOI 10.1186/s13063-018-2537-3

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5838852

  • Comparative Efficacy and Mechanisms of a Single-Session Pain Psychology: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial in Chronic Low Back Pain Trials Darnall, B., Ziadni, M., Roy, A., Kao, M., Sturgeon, J., Cook, K., Lorig, K., Burns, J., Sean, M. 2018; 19 (165)
  • Development and Validation of a Daily Pain Catastrophizing Scale. journal of pain Darnall, B. D., Sturgeon, J. A., Cook, K. F., Taub, C. J., Roy, A., Burns, J. W., Sullivan, M., Mackey, S. C. 2017

    Abstract

    To date, there is no validated measure for pain catastrophizing at the daily level. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) is widely used to measure trait pain catastrophizing. We sought to develop and validate a brief, daily version of the PCS for use in daily diary studies to facilitate research on mechanisms of catastrophizing treatment, individual differences in self-regulation, and to reveal the nuanced relationships between catastrophizing, correlates, and pain outcomes. After adapting the PCS for daily use, we evaluated the resulting 14 items using 3 rounds of cognitive interviews with 30 adults with chronic pain. We refined and tested the final daily PCS in 3 independent, prospective, cross-sectional, observational validation studies conducted in a combined total of 519 adults with chronic pain who completed online measures daily for 14 consecutive days. For study 1 (N = 131), exploratory factor analysis revealed adequate fit and-unexpectedly-unidimensionality for item responses to the daily PCS. Study 2 (N = 177) correlations indicated adequate association with related constructs (anger, anxiety, pain intensity, depression). Similarly, results for study 3 (N = 211) revealed expected correlations for daily PCS and measures of daily constructs including physical activity, sleep, energy level, and positive affect. Results from complex/multilevel confirmatory factor analysis confirmed good fit to a unidimensional model. Scores on the daily PCS were statistically comparable with and more parsimonious than the full 14-item version. Next steps include evaluation of score validity in populations with medical diagnoses, greater demographic diversity, and in patients with acute pain.This article describes the development and validation of a daily PCS. This daily measure may facilitate research that aims to characterize pain mechanisms, individual differences in self-regulation, adaptation, and nuanced relationships between catastrophizing, correlates, and pain outcomes.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.05.003

    View details for PubMedID 28528981

  • Association between concurrent use of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines and overdose: retrospective analysis BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL Sun, E. C., Dixit, A., Humphreys, K., Darnall, B. D., Baker, L. C., Mackey, S. 2017; 356

    Abstract

    Objectives To identify trends in concurrent use of a benzodiazepine and an opioid and to identify the impact of these trends on admissions to hospital and emergency room visits for opioid overdose.Design Retrospective analysis of claims data, 2001-13.Setting Administrative health claims database.Participants 315 428 privately insured people aged 18-64 who were continuously enrolled in a health plan with medical and pharmacy benefits during the study period and who also filled at least one prescription for an opioid.Interventions Concurrent benzodiazepine/opioid use, defined as an overlap of at least one day in the time periods covered by prescriptions for each drug. Main outcome measures Annual percentage of opioid users with concurrent benzodiazepine use; annual incidence of visits to emergency room and inpatient admissions for opioid overdose.Results 9% of opioid users also used a benzodiazepine in 2001, increasing to 17% in 2013 (80% relative increase). This increase was driven mainly by increases among intermittent, as opposed to chronic, opioid users. Compared with opioid users who did not use benzodiazepines, concurrent use of both drugs was associated with an increased risk of an emergency room visit or inpatient admission for opioid overdose (adjusted odds ratio 2.14, 95% confidence interval 2.05 to 2.24; P<0.001) among all opioid users. The adjusted odds ratio for an emergency room visit or inpatient admission for opioid overdose was 1.42 (1.33 to 1.51; P<0.001) for intermittent opioid users and 1.81 (1.67 to 1.96; P<0.001) chronic opioid users. If this association is causal, elimination of concurrent benzodiazepine/opioid use could reduce the risk of emergency room visits related to opioid use and inpatient admissions for opioid overdose by an estimated 15% (95% confidence interval 14 to 16).Conclusions From 2001 to 2013, concurrent benzodiazepine/opioid use sharply increased in a large sample of privately insured patients in the US and significantly contributed to the overall population risk of opioid overdose.

    View details for DOI 10.1136/bmj.j760

    View details for Web of Science ID 000397014900002

    View details for PubMedID 28292769

  • The Effect of Pain Catastrophizing on Outcomes: A Developmental Perspective Across Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults With Chronic Pain. journal of pain Feinstein, A. B., Sturgeon, J. A., Darnall, B. D., Dunn, A. L., Rico, T., Kao, M. C., Bhandari, R. P. 2017; 18 (2): 144-154

    Abstract

    Pain catastrophizing is one of the most powerful predictors of poor outcomes in youth and adults with pain; however, little is known about differential effects of pain catastrophizing on outcomes as a function of age. The current study examined the predictive value of pain catastrophizing on pain interference and pain intensity across children, adolescents, and 2 age groups of young adults with chronic pain. Cross-sectional data are presented from the adult and pediatric Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR), including measures of pain catastrophizing, pain intensity, pain interference, and emotional distress from 1,028 individuals with chronic pain. Results revealed that age moderated the relation between pain catastrophizing and pain interference, with the strength of these effects declining with age. The effect of pain catastrophizing on pain interference was strongest in adolescents and relatively weak in all 3 other groups. Emotional distress was the strongest predictor of pain interference for children, whereas pain intensity was the strongest predictor for both adult groups. Pain catastrophizing was found to predict pain intensity and, although age was a significant moderator, statistical findings were weak. Developmental considerations and clinical implications regarding the utility of the construct of pain catastrophizing across age groups are discussed.This article explores differences in pain catastrophizing as predictors of pain interference and pain intensity across cohorts of children, adolescents, and 2 age groups of young adults. This work may stimulate further research on chronic pain from a developmental perceptive and inform developmentally tailored treatment interventions that target catastrophizing, emotional distress, and pain intensity.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.10.009

    View details for PubMedID 27825857

  • Pain behavior mediates the relationship between perceived injustice and opioid prescription for chronic pain: a Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry study JOURNAL OF PAIN RESEARCH Carriere, J. S., Martel, M., Kao, M., Sullivan, M. J., Darnall, B. D. 2017; 10

    Abstract

    Perceived injustice has been defined as an appraisal regarding the severity and irreparability of loss associated with pain, blame and a sense of unfairness. Recent findings have identified perceived injustice as an important risk factor for pain-related outcomes. Studies suggest that perceived injustice is associated with opioid prescription in patients with pain conditions. However, the mechanisms by which perceived injustice is linked to opioid prescription are not well understood. The primary objective of this study was to examine the potential mediating roles of pain intensity, depressive symptoms and pain behavior in the association between perceived injustice and opioid prescription among patients with chronic pain.This cross-sectional study used a sample of 344 patients with chronic pain being treated at a tertiary pain treatment center. Participants completed measures of perceived injustice, pain intensity, depressive symptoms, pain behavior and opioid prescription. Bootstrapped multiple mediation analyses were used to examine the mediating role of patients' pain intensity, depressive symptoms and pain behavior in the association between perceived injustice and opioid prescription.Consistent with previous research, we found a significant association between perceived injustice and opioid prescription. Interestingly, results revealed that pain behavior was the only variable that mediated the association between perceived injustice and opioid prescription.This study was the first to examine the mechanisms by which perceived injustice is associated with opioid prescription in patients with chronic pain. We found that pain behavior, rather than pain intensity and depressive symptoms, mediated the association between perceived injustice and opioid prescription. Future research in this area should employ a longitudinal research design in order to arrive at clearer causal conclusions about the relationships between pain behavior, perceived injustice and opioid prescription.

    View details for DOI 10.2147/JPR.S128184

    View details for Web of Science ID 000396321100001

    View details for PubMedID 28331358

  • Pain Catastrophizing Moderates Relationships between Pain Intensity and Opioid Prescription: Nonlinear Sex Differences Revealed Using a Learning Health System. Anesthesiology Sharifzadeh, Y., Kao, M. C., Sturgeon, J. A., Rico, T. J., Mackey, S., Darnall, B. D. 2017; 127 (1): 136–46

    Abstract

    Pain catastrophizing is a maladaptive response to pain that amplifies chronic pain intensity and distress. Few studies have examined how pain catastrophizing relates to opioid prescription in outpatients with chronic pain.The authors conducted a retrospective observational study of the relationships between opioid prescription, pain intensity, and pain catastrophizing in 1,794 adults (1,129 women; 63%) presenting for new evaluation at a large tertiary care pain treatment center. Data were sourced primarily from an open-source, learning health system and pain registry and secondarily from manual review of electronic medical records. A binary opioid prescription variable (yes/no) constituted the dependent variable; independent variables were age, sex, pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, depression, and anxiety.Most patients were prescribed at least one opioid medication (57%; n = 1,020). A significant interaction and main effects of pain intensity and pain catastrophizing on opioid prescription were noted (P < 0.04). Additive modeling revealed sex differences in the relationship between pain catastrophizing, pain intensity, and opioid prescription, such that opioid prescription became more common at lower levels of pain catastrophizing for women than for men.Results supported the conclusion that pain catastrophizing and sex moderate the relationship between pain intensity and opioid prescription. Although men and women patients had similar Pain Catastrophizing Scale scores, historically "subthreshold" levels of pain catastrophizing were significantly associated with opioid prescription only for women patients. These findings suggest that pain intensity and catastrophizing contribute to different patterns of opioid prescription for men and women patients, highlighting a potential need for examination and intervention in future studies.

    View details for PubMedID 28614083

  • Pain catastrophizing, perceived injustice, and pain intensity impair life satisfaction through differential patterns of physical and psychological disruption. Scandinavian journal of pain Sturgeon, J. A., Ziadni, M. S., Trost, Z., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. 2017; 17: 390–96

    Abstract

    Previous research has highlighted the importance of cognitive appraisal processes in determining the nature and effectiveness of coping with chronic pain. Two of the key variables implicated in appraisal of pain are catastrophizing and perceived injustice, which exacerbate the severity of pain-related distress and increase the risk of long-term disability through maladaptive behavioural responses. However, to date, the influences of these phenomena have not been examined concurrently, nor have they been related specifically to quality of life measures, such as life satisfaction.Using data from an online survey of 330 individuals with chronic pain, structural path modelling techniques were used to examine the independent effects of pain catastrophizing, perceived injustice, and average pain intensity on life satisfaction. Two potential mediators of these relationships were examined: depressive symptoms and pain-related interference.Results indicated that depressive symptoms fully mediated the relationship between pain catastrophizing and life satisfaction, and pain interference fully mediated the relationship between pain intensity and life satisfaction. Both depressive symptoms and pain interference were found to significantly mediate the relationship between perceived injustice and life satisfaction, but perceived injustice continued to demonstrate a significant and negative relationship with life satisfaction, above and beyond the other study variables.The current findings highlight the distinct affective and behavioural mediators of pain and maladaptive cognitive appraisal processes in chronic pain, and highlight their importance in both perceptions of pain-related interference and longer-term quality of life.

    View details for PubMedID 29074199

  • Pain catastrophizing, perceived injustice, and pain intensity impair life satisfaction through differential patterns of physical and psychological disruption Scand J Pain Sturgeon, J., Ziadni, M., Zina, T., Darnall, B., Mackey, S. 2017: 390–96

    Abstract

    Previous research has highlighted the importance of cognitive appraisal processes in determining the nature and effectiveness of coping with chronic pain. Two of the key variables implicated in appraisal of pain are catastrophizing and perceived injustice, which exacerbate the severity of pain-related distress and increase the risk of long-term disability through maladaptive behavioural responses. However, to date, the influences of these phenomena have not been examined concurrently, nor have they been related specifically to quality of life measures, such as life satisfaction.Using data from an online survey of 330 individuals with chronic pain, structural path modelling techniques were used to examine the independent effects of pain catastrophizing, perceived injustice, and average pain intensity on life satisfaction. Two potential mediators of these relationships were examined: depressive symptoms and pain-related interference.Results indicated that depressive symptoms fully mediated the relationship between pain catastrophizing and life satisfaction, and pain interference fully mediated the relationship between pain intensity and life satisfaction. Both depressive symptoms and pain interference were found to significantly mediate the relationship between perceived injustice and life satisfaction, but perceived injustice continued to demonstrate a significant and negative relationship with life satisfaction, above and beyond the other study variables.The current findings highlight the distinct affective and behavioural mediators of pain and maladaptive cognitive appraisal processes in chronic pain, and highlight their importance in both perceptions of pain-related interference and longer-term quality of life.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.sjpain.2017.09.020

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5726907

  • The relationship between negative metacognitive thoughts, pain catastrophizing, and adjustment to chronic pain Eur J Pain Ziadni, M., Sturgeon, J., Darnall, B. 2017

    View details for DOI 10.1002/ejp.1160

  • Effects of a Pain Catastrophizing Induction on Sensory Testing in Women with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study PAIN RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT Taub, C. J., Sturgeon, J. A., Johnson, K. A., Mackey, S. C., Darnall, B. D. 2017

    Abstract

    Pain catastrophizing, a pattern of negative cognitive-emotional responses to actual or anticipated pain, maintains chronic pain and undermines response to treatments. Currently, precisely how pain catastrophizing influences pain processing is not well understood. In experimental settings, pain catastrophizing has been associated with amplified pain processing. This study sought to clarify pain processing mechanisms via experimental induction of pain catastrophizing. Forty women with chronic low back pain were assigned in blocks to an experimental condition, either a psychologist-led 10-minute pain catastrophizing induction or a control (10-minute rest period). All participants underwent a baseline round of several quantitative sensory testing (QST) tasks, followed by the pain catastrophizing induction or the rest period, and then a second round of the same QST tasks. The catastrophizing induction appeared to increase state pain catastrophizing levels. Changes in QST pain were detected for two of the QST tasks administered, weighted pin pain and mechanical allodynia. Although there is a need to replicate our preliminary results with a larger sample, study findings suggest a potential relationship between induced pain catastrophizing and central sensitization of pain. Clarification of the mechanisms through which catastrophizing affects pain modulatory systems may yield useful clinical insights into the treatment of chronic pain.

    View details for DOI 10.1155/2017/7892494

    View details for Web of Science ID 000395018300001

    View details for PubMedID 28348505

  • Perturbed connectivity of the amygdala and its subregions with the central executive and default mode networks in chronic pain. Pain Jiang, Y., Oathes, D., Hush, J., Darnall, B., Charvat, M., Mackey, S., Etkin, A. 2016; 157 (9): 1970-1978

    Abstract

    Maladaptive responses to pain-related distress, such as pain catastrophizing, amplify the impairments associated with chronic pain. Many of these aspects of chronic pain are similar to affective distress in clinical anxiety disorders. In light of the role of the amygdala in pain and affective distress, disruption of amygdalar functional connectivity in anxiety states, and its implication in the response to noxious stimuli, we investigated amygdala functional connectivity in 17 patients with chronic low back pain and 17 healthy comparison subjects, with respect to normal targets of amygdala subregions (basolateral vs centromedial nuclei), and connectivity to large-scale cognitive-emotional networks, including the default mode network, central executive network, and salience network. We found that patients with chronic pain had exaggerated and abnormal amygdala connectivity with central executive network, which was most exaggerated in patients with the greatest pain catastrophizing. We also found that the normally basolateral-predominant amygdala connectivity to the default mode network was blunted in patients with chronic pain. Our results therefore highlight the importance of the amygdala and its network-level interaction with large-scale cognitive/affective cortical networks in chronic pain, and help link the neurobiological mechanisms of cognitive theories for pain with other clinical states of affective distress.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000606

    View details for PubMedID 27168362

  • Pediatric-Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (Peds-CHOIR): a learning health system to guide pediatric pain research and treatment. Pain Bhandari, R. P., Feinstein, A. B., Huestis, S. E., Krane, E. J., Dunn, A. L., Cohen, L. L., Kao, M. C., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. 2016; 157 (9): 2033-2044

    Abstract

    The pediatric adaptation of the Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (Peds-CHOIR) is a free, open-source, flexible learning health care system (LHS) that meets the call by the Institute of Medicine for the development of national registries to guide research and precision pain medicine. This report is a technical account of the first application of Peds-CHOIR with 3 aims: (1) to describe the design and implementation process of the LHS; (2) to highlight how the clinical system concurrently cultivates a research platform rich in breadth (eg, clinic characteristics) and depth (eg, unique patient- and caregiver-reporting patterns); and (3) to demonstrate the utility of capturing patient-caregiver dyad data in real time, with dynamic outcomes tracking that informs clinical decisions and delivery of treatments. Technical, financial, and systems-based considerations of Peds-CHOIR are discussed. Cross-sectional retrospective data from patients with chronic pain (N = 352; range, 8-17 years; mean, 13.9 years) and their caregivers are reported, including National Institutes of Health Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) domains (mobility, pain interference, fatigue, peer relations, anxiety, and depression) and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Consistent with the literature, analyses of initial visits revealed impairments across physical, psychological, and social domains. Patients and caregivers evidenced agreement in observable variables (mobility); however, caregivers consistently endorsed greater impairment regarding internal experiences (pain interference, fatigue, peer relations, anxiety, and depression) than patients' self-report. A platform like Peds-CHOIR highlights predictors of chronic pain outcomes on a group level and facilitates individually tailored treatment(s). Challenges of implementation and future directions are discussed.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000609

    View details for PubMedID 27280328

  • Incidence of and Risk Factors for Chronic Opioid Use Among Opioid-Naive Patients in the Postoperative Period. JAMA internal medicine Sun, E. C., Darnall, B. D., Baker, L. C., Mackey, S. 2016; 176 (9): 1286-1293

    Abstract

    Chronic opioid use imposes a substantial burden in terms of morbidity and economic costs. Whether opioid-naive patients undergoing surgery are at increased risk for chronic opioid use is unknown, as are the potential risk factors for chronic opioid use following surgery.To characterize the risk of chronic opioid use among opioid-naive patients following 1 of 11 surgical procedures compared with nonsurgical patients.Retrospective analysis of administrative health claims to determine the association between chronic opioid use and surgery among privately insured patients between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2013. The data concluded 11 surgical procedures (total knee arthroplasty [TKA], total hip arthroplasty, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, open cholecystectomy, laparoscopic appendectomy, open appendectomy, cesarean delivery, functional endoscopic sinus surgery [FESS], cataract surgery, transurethral prostate resection [TURP], and simple mastectomy). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to control for possible confounders, including sex, age, preoperative history of depression, psychosis, drug or alcohol abuse, and preoperatice use of benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and antidepressants.One of the 11 study surgical procedures.Chronic opioid use, defined as having filled 10 or more prescriptions or more than 120 days' supply of an opioid in the first year after surgery, excluding the first 90 postoperative days. For nonsurgical patients, chronic opioid use was defined as having filled 10 or more prescriptions or more than 120 days' supply following a randomly assigned "surgery date."The study included 641 941 opioid-naive surgical patients (169 666 men; mean [SD] age, 44.0 [12.8] years), and 18 011 137 opioid-naive nonsurgical patients (8 849 107 men; mean [SD] age, 42.4 [12.6] years). Among the surgical patients, the incidence of chronic opioid in the first preoperative year ranged from 0.119% for Cesarean delivery (95% CI, 0.104%-0.134%) to 1.41% for TKA (95% CI, 1.29%-1.53%) The baseline incidence of chronic opioid use among the nonsurgical patients was 0.136% (95% CI, 0.134%-0.137%). Except for cataract surgery, laparoscopic appendectomy, FESS, and TURP, all of the surgical procedures were associated with an increased risk of chronic opioid use, with odds ratios ranging from 1.28 (95% CI, 1.12-1.46) for cesarean delivery to 5.10 (95% CI, 4.67-5.58) for TKA. Male sex, age older than 50 years, and preoperative history of drug abuse, alcohol abuse, depression, benzodiazepine use, or antidepressant use were associated with chronic opioid use among surgical patients.In opioid-naive patients, many surgical procedures are associated with an increased risk of chronic opioid use in the postoperative period. A certain subset of patients (eg, men, elderly patients) may be particularly vulnerable.

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.3298

    View details for PubMedID 27400458

  • Pain Psychology and the Biopsychosocial Model of Pain Treatment: Ethical Imperatives and Social Responsibility. Pain medicine Darnall, B. D., Carr, D. B., Schatman, M. E. 2016

    View details for PubMedID 27425187

  • Social Disruption Mediates the Relationship Between Perceived Injustice and Anger in Chronic Pain: a Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry Study. Annals of behavioral medicine Sturgeon, J. A., Carriere, J. S., Kao, M. J., Rico, T., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. 2016: -?

    Abstract

    Perceptions of pain as unfair are a significant risk factor for poorer physical and psychological outcomes in acute injury and chronic pain. Chief among the negative emotions associated with perceived injustice is anger, arising through frustration of personal goals and unmet expectations regarding others' behavior. However, despite a theoretical connection with anger, the social mediators of perceived injustice have not been demonstrated in chronic pain.The current study examined two socially based variables and a broader measure of pain interference as mediators of the relationships between perceived injustice and both anger and pain intensity in a sample of 302 patients in a tertiary care pain clinic setting.Data from the Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR) were analyzed using cross-sectional path modeling analyses to examine social isolation, satisfaction with social roles and activities, and pain-related interference as potential mediators of the relationships between perceived injustice and both anger and pain intensity.When modeled simultaneously, ratings of social isolation mediated the relationship between perceived injustice and anger, while pain-related interference and social satisfaction did not. Neither social variable was found to mediate the relationship between perceived injustice and pain intensity, however.The current findings highlight the strongly interpersonal nature of perceived injustice and anger in chronic pain, though these effects do not appear to extend to the intensity of pain itself. Nevertheless, the results highlight the need for interventions that ameliorate both maladaptive cognitive appraisal of pain and pain-related disruptions in social relationships.

    View details for PubMedID 27325314

  • (527) An internet-based perioperative pain psychology treatment program: results of a randomized controlled trial in breast oncology surgery patients. journal of pain Darnall, B., Wheeler, A., Taub, C., MACKEY, I., Wapnir, I., Schultz, C., RICO, T., Flood, P. 2016; 17 (4S): S106-?

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.01.334

    View details for PubMedID 28162332

  • (418) A novel glial cell inhibitor, low dose naltrexone, reduces pain and depression, and improves function in chronic pain: A CHOIR study. journal of pain Noon, K., Sturgeon, J., Kao, M., Darnall, B., Mackey, S. 2016; 17 (4S): S79-?

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.01.395

    View details for PubMedID 28162662

  • (489) An examination of the roles of perceived injustice and pain acceptance on pain interference and pain intensity in patients with chronic pain: A Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR) Study. journal of pain Carriere, J., Darnall, B., Kao, M., Mackey, S. 2016; 17 (4S): S97-?

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.01.296

    View details for PubMedID 28162741

  • (162) Social disruption, but not pain interference, mediates the relationship between perceived injustice and anger in chronic pain: A Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR) study. journal of pain Sturgeon, J., Carriere, J., Darnall, B., Mackey, S. 2016; 17 (4S): S16-?

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.01.065

    View details for PubMedID 28162384

  • (448) Perceived injustice, pain behavior and opioid prescriptions: a vicious circle? A Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR) Study. journal of pain Carriere, J., Darnall, B., Sullivan, M., Kao, M., Mackey, S. 2016; 17 (4S): S86-?

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.01.425

    View details for PubMedID 28162695

  • (180) Development and validation of a Daily Pain Catastrophizing Scale (Daily PCS) measure. journal of pain Darnall, B., Sturgeon, J., Cook, K., Taub, C., Kao, M., RICO, T., Mackey, S. 2016; 17 (4S): S20-S21

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.01.083

    View details for PubMedID 28162404

  • (163) Pain catastrophizing, perceived injustice, and pain intensity impair life satisfaction through differential patterns of physical and psychological disruption. journal of pain Sturgeon, J., Dixon, E., Darnall, B., Mackey, S. 2016; 17 (4S): S16-?

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.01.066

    View details for PubMedID 28162385

  • (321) Enhanced secondary hyperalgesia following a pain catastrophizing induction in women with chronic low back pain. journal of pain Taub, C., Darnall, B., Johnson, K., Mackey, S. 2016; 17 (4S): S56-?

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.01.228

    View details for PubMedID 28162559

  • Pain Psychology: A Global Needs Assessment and National Call to Action PAIN MEDICINE Darnall, B. D., Scheman, J., Davin, S., Burns, J. W., Murphy, J. L., Wilson, A. C., Kerns, R. D., Mackey, S. C. 2016; 17 (2): 250-263

    Abstract

    The Institute of Medicine and the draft National Pain Strategy recently called for better training for health care clinicians. This was the first high-level needs assessment for pain psychology services and resources in the United States.Prospective, observational, cross-sectional.Brief surveys were administered online to six stakeholder groups (psychologists/therapists, individuals with chronic pain, pain physicians, primary care physicians/physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and the directors of graduate and postgraduate psychology training programs).1,991 responses were received. Results revealed low confidence and low perceived competency to address physical pain among psychologists/therapists, and high levels of interest and need for pain education. We found broad support for pain psychology across stakeholder groups, and global support for a national initiative to increase pain training and competency in U.S. therapists. Among directors of graduate and postgraduate psychology training programs, we found unanimous interest for a no-cost pain psychology curriculum that could be integrated into existing programs. Primary barriers to pain psychology include lack of a system to identify qualified therapists, paucity of therapists with pain training, limited awareness of the psychological treatment modality, and poor insurance coverage.This report calls for transformation within psychology predoctoral and postdoctoral education and training and psychology continuing education to include and emphasize pain and pain management. A system for certification is needed to facilitate quality control and appropriate reimbursement. There is a need for systems to facilitate identification and access to practicing psychologists and therapists skilled in the treatment of pain.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pnv095

    View details for PubMedID 26803844

  • Pain Psychology and Pain Catastrophizing in the Perioperative Setting: A Review of Impacts, Interventions, and Unmet Needs. Hand clinics Darnall, B. D. 2016; 32 (1): 33-39

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.hcl.2015.08.005

    View details for PubMedID 26611387

  • Conflict of Interest, Part II: Pain Society Leadership and Industry Pain Medicine Schatman, M. E., Darnall, B. D. 2016; 17

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pnv041

  • The Impact of Pain Catastrophizing on Outcomes: A Developmental Perspective across Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Chronic Pain Journal of Pain Feinstein, A. B., Sturgeon, J. A., Bhandari, R. P., Dunn, A., Rico, T., Kao, M. C., Darnall, B. D. 2016

    Abstract

    Pain catastrophizing is one of the most powerful predictors of poor outcomes in youth and adults with pain; however, little is known about differential effects of pain catastrophizing on outcomes as a function of age. The current study examined the predictive value of pain catastrophizing on pain interference and pain intensity across children, adolescents, and 2 age groups of young adults with chronic pain. Cross-sectional data are presented from the adult and pediatric Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR), including measures of pain catastrophizing, pain intensity, pain interference, and emotional distress from 1,028 individuals with chronic pain. Results revealed that age moderated the relation between pain catastrophizing and pain interference, with the strength of these effects declining with age. The effect of pain catastrophizing on pain interference was strongest in adolescents and relatively weak in all 3 other groups. Emotional distress was the strongest predictor of pain interference for children, whereas pain intensity was the strongest predictor for both adult groups. Pain catastrophizing was found to predict pain intensity and, although age was a significant moderator, statistical findings were weak. Developmental considerations and clinical implications regarding the utility of the construct of pain catastrophizing across age groups are discussed.This article explores differences in pain catastrophizing as predictors of pain interference and pain intensity across cohorts of children, adolescents, and 2 age groups of young adults. This work may stimulate further research on chronic pain from a developmental perceptive and inform developmentally tailored treatment interventions that target catastrophizing, emotional distress, and pain intensity.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.10.009

  • Social Disruption Mediates the Relationship Between Perceived Injustice and Anger in Chronic Pain: a Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry Study Annals of Behavioral Medicine Sturgeon, J. A., Carriere, J. S., Kao, M. J., Rico, T. J., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. 2016: 802–12

    Abstract

    Perceptions of pain as unfair are a significant risk factor for poorer physical and psychological outcomes in acute injury and chronic pain. Chief among the negative emotions associated with perceived injustice is anger, arising through frustration of personal goals and unmet expectations regarding others' behavior. However, despite a theoretical connection with anger, the social mediators of perceived injustice have not been demonstrated in chronic pain.The current study examined two socially based variables and a broader measure of pain interference as mediators of the relationships between perceived injustice and both anger and pain intensity in a sample of 302 patients in a tertiary care pain clinic setting.Data from the Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR) were analyzed using cross-sectional path modeling analyses to examine social isolation, satisfaction with social roles and activities, and pain-related interference as potential mediators of the relationships between perceived injustice and both anger and pain intensity.When modeled simultaneously, ratings of social isolation mediated the relationship between perceived injustice and anger, while pain-related interference and social satisfaction did not. Neither social variable was found to mediate the relationship between perceived injustice and pain intensity, however.The current findings highlight the strongly interpersonal nature of perceived injustice and anger in chronic pain, though these effects do not appear to extend to the intensity of pain itself. Nevertheless, the results highlight the need for interventions that ameliorate both maladaptive cognitive appraisal of pain and pain-related disruptions in social relationships.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s12160-016-9808-6

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5127748

  • "The Opioid-Free Pain Relief Kit: 10 Simple Steps to Ease Your Pain" Darnall, B. D. Bull Publishing. 2016
  • Contributions of physical function and satisfaction with social roles to emotional distress in chronic pain: a Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR) study PAIN Sturgeon, J. A., Dixon, E. A., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. 2015; 156 (12): 2627-2633

    Abstract

    Individuals with chronic pain show a greater vulnerability to depression or anger than those without chronic pain, and also show greater interpersonal difficulties and physical disability. The current study examined data from 675 individuals with chronic pain during their initial visits to a tertiary care pain clinic using assessments from Stanford University's Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR). Using a path modeling analysis, the mediating roles of PROMIS Physical Function and PROMIS Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities were tested between pain intensity and PROMIS Depression and Anger. Pain intensity significantly predicted both depression and anger, and both physical function and satisfaction with social roles mediated these relationships when modeled in separate 1-mediator models. Notably, however, when modeled together, ratings of satisfaction with social roles mediated the relationship between physical function and both anger and depression. Our results suggest that the process by which chronic pain disrupts emotional well-being involves both physical function and disrupted social functioning. However, the more salient factor in determining pain-related emotional distress appears to be disruption of social relationships, rather than global physical impairment. These results highlight the particular importance of social factors to pain-related distress, and highlight social functioning as an important target for clinical intervention in chronic pain.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000313

    View details for Web of Science ID 000365598300028

    View details for PubMedID 26230739

  • "Compassion Cultivation in Chronic Pain May Reduce Anger, Pain, and Increase Acceptance: Study Review and Brief Commentary". Health care. Current reviews Darnall, B. D. 2015; 3 (2)

    View details for PubMedID 26985456

  • Toward the Healthiest Symbiosis. Pain medicine Darnall, B. D., Schatman, M. E. 2015; 16 (7): 1254-1255

    View details for DOI 10.1111/pme.12828_3

    View details for PubMedID 26133016

  • The Relationship Between Industry and Pain Societies, Part 1: Demystification and Legitimization of Continuing Medical Education PAIN MEDICINE Darnall, B. D., Schatman, M. E. 2015; 16 (7): 1251-1251

    View details for DOI 10.1111/pme.12828

    View details for Web of Science ID 000358017000004

    View details for PubMedID 26138746

  • Protecting the infant from unknown risks. Pain medicine Darnall, B. D., Schatman, M. E. 2015; 16 (4): 631-632

    View details for DOI 10.1111/pme.12718_4

    View details for PubMedID 25832321

  • Sub-clinical range of pain catastrophizing moderates the effect of pain intensity on opioid prescription Sharifzadeh, Y., Darnall, B., Kao, M., Mackey, S. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2015: S16–S16

    View details for Web of Science ID 000352748600065

  • Opioid use and lactation: protecting the child in the context of maternal pain care. Pain medicine Darnall, B. D., Schatman, M. E. 2015; 16 (4): 628-?

    View details for DOI 10.1111/pme.12718

    View details for PubMedID 25766069

  • Physical and psychological correlates of fatigue and physical function: a Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR) study. journal of pain Sturgeon, J. A., Darnall, B. D., Kao, M. J., Mackey, S. C. 2015; 16 (3): 291-8 e1

    Abstract

    Fatigue is a multidimensional construct that has significant implications for physical function in chronic non-cancer pain populations but remains relatively understudied. The current study characterized the independent contributions of self-reported ratings of pain intensity, sleep disturbance, depression, and fatigue to ratings of physical function and pain-related interference in a diverse sample of treatment-seeking individuals with chronic pain. Methods: These relationships were examined as a path modeling analysis of self-report scores obtained from 2,487 individuals with chronic pain from a tertiary care outpatient pain clinic.Our analyses revealed unique relationships of pain intensity, sleep disturbance, and depression with self-reported fatigue. Further, fatigue scores accounted for significant proportions of the relationships of both pain intensity and depression with physical function and pain-related interference, and accounted for the entirety of the unique statistical relationship between sleep disturbance and both physical function and pain-related interference.Fatigue is a complex construct with relationships to both physical and psychological factors that has significant implications for physical functioning in chronic non-cancer pain. The current results identify potential targets for future treatment of fatigue in chronic pain, and may provide directions for future clinical and theoretical research in the area of chronic non-cancer pain.Fatigue is an important physical and psychological variable that factors prominently in the deleterious consequences of pain intensity, sleep disturbance, and depression for physical function in chronic non-cancer pain.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.12.004

    View details for PubMedID 25536536

  • Physical and Psychological Correlates of Fatigue and Physical Function: A Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR) Study. journal of pain Sturgeon, J. A., Darnall, B. D., Kao, M. J., Mackey, S. C. 2015; 16 (3): 291-298 e1

    Abstract

    Fatigue is a multidimensional construct that has significant implications for physical function in chronic non-cancer pain populations but remains relatively understudied. The current study characterized the independent contributions of self-reported ratings of pain intensity, sleep disturbance, depression, and fatigue to ratings of physical function and pain-related interference in a diverse sample of treatment-seeking individuals with chronic pain. Methods: These relationships were examined as a path modeling analysis of self-report scores obtained from 2,487 individuals with chronic pain from a tertiary care outpatient pain clinic.Our analyses revealed unique relationships of pain intensity, sleep disturbance, and depression with self-reported fatigue. Further, fatigue scores accounted for significant proportions of the relationships of both pain intensity and depression with physical function and pain-related interference, and accounted for the entirety of the unique statistical relationship between sleep disturbance and both physical function and pain-related interference.Fatigue is a complex construct with relationships to both physical and psychological factors that has significant implications for physical functioning in chronic non-cancer pain. The current results identify potential targets for future treatment of fatigue in chronic pain, and may provide directions for future clinical and theoretical research in the area of chronic non-cancer pain.Fatigue is an important physical and psychological variable that factors prominently in the deleterious consequences of pain intensity, sleep disturbance, and depression for physical function in chronic non-cancer pain.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.12.004

    View details for PubMedID 25536536

  • Compassion Cultivation in Chronic Pain May Reduce Anger, Pain, and Increase Acceptance: Review and Commentary Health Care: Current Reviews Darnall, B. D. 2015; 3 (1)
  • Urine drug screening: opioid risks preclude complete patient autonomy. Pain medicine Darnall, B. D., Schatman, M. E. 2014; 15 (12): 2001-2002

    View details for DOI 10.1111/pme.12604_4

    View details for PubMedID 25376661

  • Urine drug screening: necessary or alienating? Pain medicine Darnall, B. D., Schatman, M. E. 2014; 15 (12): 1999-?

    View details for DOI 10.1111/pme.12604

    View details for PubMedID 25376375

  • Intrathecal Opioids for Chronic Nonmalignant Pain: A Case Study and the Search for Balance PAIN MEDICINE Schatman, M. E., Darnall, B. D. 2014; 15 (8): 1268-1268

    View details for DOI 10.1111/pme.12494

    View details for Web of Science ID 000342630800005

    View details for PubMedID 25091712

  • Minimize opioids by optimizing pain psychology. Pain management Darnall, B. D. 2014; 4 (4): 251-253

    View details for DOI 10.2217/pmt.14.18

    View details for PubMedID 25300380

  • Stanford-NIH Pain Registry: catalyzing the rate limited step of psychometrics with modern patient-reported outcomes Kao, M., Cook, K., Olson, G., Pacht, T., Darnall, B., Weber, S., Mackey, S. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2014: S3–S3

    View details for Web of Science ID 000334648700012

  • Compassion meditation training for people living with chronic pain and their significant others: a pilot study and mixed-methods analysis Ruchelli, G., Chapin, H., Darnall, B., Seppala, E., Doty, J., Mackey, S. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2014: S117–S117

    View details for Web of Science ID 000334648700465

  • Stanford-NIH Pain Registry: open source platform for large-scale longitudinal assessment and tracking of modern patient-reported outcomes Kao, M., Weber, S., Cook, K., Garrick, O., Pacht, T., Darnall, B., Mackey, S. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2014: S40–S40

    View details for Web of Science ID 000334648700158

  • Less Pain, Fewer Pills: Avoid the dangers of prescription opioids and gain control over chronic pain Darnall, B. D. Bull Publishing. 2014
  • Pilot study of a compassion meditation intervention in chronic pain. Journal of compassionate health care Chapin, H. L., Darnall, B. D., Seppala, E. M., Doty, J. R., Hah, J. M., Mackey, S. C. 2014; 1

    Abstract

    The emergence of anger as an important predictor of chronic pain outcomes suggests that treatments that target anger may be particularly useful within the context of chronic pain. Eastern traditions prescribe compassion cultivation to treat persistent anger. Compassion cultivation has been shown to influence emotional processing and reduce negativity bias in the contexts of emotional and physical discomfort, thus suggesting it may be beneficial as a dual treatment for pain and anger. Our objective was to conduct a pilot study of a 9-week group compassion cultivation intervention in chronic pain to examine its effect on pain severity, anger, pain acceptance and pain-related interference. We also aimed to describe observer ratings provided by patients' significant others and secondary effects of the intervention.Pilot clinical trial with repeated measures design that included a within-subjects wait-list control period. Twelve chronic pain patients completed the intervention (F= 10). Data were collected from patients at enrollment, treatment baseline and post-treatment; participant significant others contributed data at the enrollment and post-treatment time points.In this predominantly female sample, patients had significantly reduced pain severity and anger and increased pain acceptance at post-treatment compared to treatment baseline. Significant other qualitative data corroborated patient reports for reductions in pain severity and anger.Compassion meditation may be a useful adjunctive treatment for reducing pain severity and anger, and for increasing chronic pain acceptance. Patient reported reductions in anger were corroborated by their significant others. The significant other corroborations offer a novel contribution to the literature and highlight the observable emotional and behavioral changes in the patient participants that occurred following the compassion intervention. Future studies may further examine how anger reductions impact relationships with self and others within the context of chronic pain.

    View details for PubMedID 27499883

  • Proinflammatory cytokines and DHEA-S in women with fibromyalgia: impact of psychological distress and menopausal status JOURNAL OF PAIN RESEARCH Sturgeon, J. A., Darnall, B. D., Zwickey, H. L., Wood, L. J., Hanes, D. A., Zava, D. T., Mackey, S. C. 2014; 7: 707-716

    Abstract

    Though fibromyalgia is not traditionally considered an inflammatory disorder, evidence for elevated inflammatory processes has been noted in this disorder in multiple studies. Support for inflammatory markers in fibromyalgia has been somewhat equivocal to date, potentially due to inattention to salient patient characteristics that may affect inflammation, such as psychiatric distress and aging milestones like menopause. The current study examined the relationships between proinflammatory cytokines and hormone levels, pain intensity, and psychological distress in a sample of 34 premenopausal and postmenopausal women with fibromyalgia. Our results indicated significant relationships between interleukin-8 and ratings of pain catastrophizing (r=0.555, P<0.05), pain anxiety (r=0.559, P<0.05), and depression (r=0.551, P<0.05) for postmenopausal women but not premenopausal women (r,0.20 in all cases). Consistent with previous studies, ratios of interleukin-6 to interleukin-10 were significantly lower in individuals with greater levels of depressive symptoms (r=-0.239, P<0.05). Contrary to previous research, however, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate did not correlate with pain intensity or psychological or biological variables. The results of the current study highlight the importance of psychological functioning and milestones of aging in the examination of inflammatory processes in fibromyalgia.

    View details for DOI 10.2147/JPR.S71344

    View details for Web of Science ID 000364591400001

    View details for PubMedID 25506243

  • From Catastrophizing to Recovery: a pilot study of a single-session treatment for pain catastrophizing JOURNAL OF PAIN RESEARCH Darnall, B. D., Sturgeon, J. A., Kao, M., Hah, J. M., Mackey, S. C. 2014; 7: 219-226

    Abstract

    Pain catastrophizing (PC) - a pattern of negative cognitive-emotional responses to real or anticipated pain - maintains chronic pain and undermines medical treatments. Standard PC treatment involves multiple sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy. To provide efficient treatment, we developed a single-session, 2-hour class that solely treats PC entitled "From Catastrophizing to Recovery" [FCR].To determine 1) feasibility of FCR; 2) participant ratings for acceptability, understandability, satisfaction, and likelihood to use the information learned; and 3) preliminary efficacy of FCR for reducing PC.Uncontrolled prospective pilot trial with a retrospective chart and database review component. Seventy-six patients receiving care at an outpatient pain clinic (the Stanford Pain Management Center) attended the class as free treatment and 70 attendees completed and returned an anonymous survey immediately post-class. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) was administered at class check-in (baseline) and at 2, and 4 weeks post-treatment. Within subjects repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Student's t-test contrasts were used to compare scores across time points.All attendees who completed a baseline PCS were included as study participants (N=57; F=82%; mean age =50.2 years); PCS was completed by 46 participants at week 2 and 35 participants at week 4. Participants had significantly reduced PC at both time points (P<0001) and large effect sizes were found (Cohen's d=0.85 and d=1.15).Preliminary data suggest that FCR is an acceptable and effective treatment for PC. Larger, controlled studies of longer duration are needed to determine durability of response, factors contributing to response, and the impact on pain, function and quality of life.

    View details for DOI 10.2147/JPR.S62329

    View details for Web of Science ID 000364587600005

    View details for PubMedID 24851056

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4008292

  • Upscheduling of Hydrocodone: Convenience and Access vs Patient Safety Measures PAIN MEDICINE Schatman, M. E., Darnall, B. D. 2013; 14 (11): 1627-1627

    View details for DOI 10.1111/pme.12257

    View details for Web of Science ID 000327011600004

    View details for PubMedID 24238351

  • Medical marijuana: a viable tool in the armamentaria of physicians treating chronic pain? A case study and commentary. Pain medicine Schatman, M. E., Darnall, B. D. 2013; 14 (6): 799-?

    View details for DOI 10.1111/pme.12137

    View details for PubMedID 23647910

  • A Pendulum Swings Awry: Seeking the Middle Ground on Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain PAIN MEDICINE Schatman, M. E., Darnall, B. D. 2013; 14 (5)

    View details for Web of Science ID 000319279800032

    View details for PubMedID 23581746

  • Medical and Psychological Risks and Consequences of Long-Term Opioid Therapy in Women PAIN MEDICINE Darnall, B. D., Stacey, B. R., Chou, R. 2012; 13 (9): 1181-1211

    Abstract

    Long-term opioid use has increased substantially over the past decade for U.S. women. Women are more likely than men to have a chronic pain condition, to be treated with opioids, and may receive higher doses. Prescribing trends persist despite limited evidence to support the long-term benefit of this pain treatment approach.To review the medical and psychological risks and consequences of long-term opioid therapy in women.Scientific literature containing relevant keywords and content were reviewed.Long-term opioid use exposes women to unique risks, including endocrinopathy, reduced fertility, neonatal risks, as well as greater risk for polypharmacy, cardiac risks, poisoning and unintentional overdose, among other risks. Risks for women appear to vary by age and psychosocial factors may be bidirectionally related to opioid use. Gaps in understanding and priorities for future research are highlighted.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2012.01467.x

    View details for PubMedID 22905834

  • Pain Characteristics and Pain Catastrophizing in Incarcerated Women with Chronic Pain JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE FOR THE POOR AND UNDERSERVED Darnall, B. D., Sazie, E. 2012; 23 (2): 543-556

    Abstract

    Chronic pain in incarcerated women is understudied and poorly described. Study objectives were to describe pain characteristics, correlates, and predictors in a convenience sample of incarcerated women with chronic pain. A survey packet that included the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI-SF) and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) was distributed to all inmates at a state prison for women. Those who self-identified as having chronic pain ≥4 on a 0-10 numeric rating scale were invited to complete the survey. Demographics and medical and psychiatric diagnoses were abstracted by chart review. Participants (N=159) rated their current and average pain intensity as severe. Pain catastrophizing was found to predict average pain intensity and level of pain-related interference in functioning. Pain catastrophizing is treatable with behavioral intervention in the general population. Findings suggest that pain catastrophizing may be an important target for research and treatment in incarcerated women with chronic pain.

    View details for PubMedID 22643606

  • Sex Differences in Long-term Opioid Use Cautionary Notes for Prescribing in Women ARCHIVES OF INTERNAL MEDICINE Darnall, B. D., Stacey, B. R. 2012; 172 (5): 431-432

    View details for PubMedID 22412108

  • HOME-BASED SELF-DELIVERED MIRROR THERAPY FOR PHANTOM PAIN: A PILOT STUDY JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE Darnall, B. D., Li, H. 2012; 44 (3): 254-260

    Abstract

    To test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of self-delivered home-based mirror therapy for phantom pain.Uncontrolled prospective treatment outcome pilot study.Forty community-dwelling adults with unilateral amputation and phantom pain > 3 on a 0-10 numeric rating scale enrolled either during a one-time study visit (n = 30) or remotely (n = 10).Participants received an explanation of mirror therapy and were asked to self-treat for 25 min daily. Participants completed and posted back sets of outcomes questionnaires at months 1 and 2 post-treatment. Main outcome was average phantom pain intensity at post-treatment.A significant reduction in average phantom pain intensity was found at month 1 (n = 31, p = 0.0002) and at month 2 (n = 26, p = 0.002). The overall median percentage reduction at month 2 was 15.4%. Subjects with high education (> 16 years) compared with low education (< 16 years) (37.5% vs 4.1%) had greater reduction in pain intensity (p = 0.01).These findings support the feasibility and efficacy of home-based self-delivered mirror therapy; this low-cost treatment may defray medical costs, therapy visits, and the patient travel burden for people with motivation and a high level of education. More research is needed to determine methods of cost-effective support for people with lower levels of education.

    View details for DOI 10.2340/16501977-0933

    View details for PubMedID 22378591

  • Hysterectomy and Predictors for Opioid Prescription in a Chronic Pain Clinic Sample PAIN MEDICINE Darnall, B., Li, H. 2011; 12 (2): 196-203

    Abstract

    To describe the prevalence of hysterectomy for women aged 18-45 seeking treatment at a chronic pain clinic, to describe patient characteristics (pain intensity, age, smoking status, hormone replacement status, and psychosocial factors) based on opioid and hysterectomy status, and to determine whether hysterectomy status predicted receipt of opioid prescription.Retrospective cross-sectional chart review.Total 323 new female patients aged 18-45 who completed the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form at initial evaluation at a chronic pain clinic during a 12-month period (July 2008-June 2009).Data were collected from the Brief Pain Inventory and medical charts. Variables included opioid prescription, average pain intensity, pain type, age, hysterectomy status, smoking status, and pain-related dysfunction across domains measured by the Brief Pain Inventory. The association of opioid prescription with hysterectomy and other factors were determined by logistic regression.Prevalence of hysterectomy was 28.8%. Average pain intensity was not associated with either hysterectomy or opioid prescription status. However, hysterectomy and high levels of pain-related dysfunction were significantly and independently associated with opioid prescription after adjusting for age and pain intensity. More than 85% of women with hysterectomy and high pain-related dysfunction had opioid prescription.Hysterectomy may confer risk for pain-related dysfunction and opioid prescription in women 45 and younger. More research is needed to understand 1) how patient characteristics influence prescribing patterns and 2) the specific medical risks and consequences of chronic opioid therapy in this population.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2010.01038.x

    View details for PubMedID 21223499

  • Pilot Study of Inflammatory Responses Following a Negative Imaginal Focus in Persons With Chronic Pain: Analysis by Sex/Gender GENDER MEDICINE Darnall, B. D., Aickin, M., Zwickey, H. 2010; 7 (3): 247-260

    Abstract

    Recent evidence suggests that differential stress and immune responses may play a role in the sex/gender disparity for pain. Pain pathology and psychological stress are both associated with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines.This pilot study tested a negative imaginal focus to assess whether it would elicit a proinflammatory cytokine response and whether responses would vary by sex/gender.Adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain were recruited from an outpatient, multidisciplinary pain clinic in Portland, Oregon, between 2007 and 2008. All participants underwent a psychologist-guided 10-minute focus on the negative aspects of their pain condition and the imagined worsening of their pain; no control group was used. Serum collected at baseline and postfocus (1, 2, and 2.5 hours) was assayed for interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Cortisol was assayed at each time point and at 15 minutes postfocus.Thirty-six outpatients (aged 26-62 years; 23 women, 13 men) participated in the study. Compared with men, women displayed greater negative emotional expression during the experiment, and this in turn mediated their IL-6 inflammatory responses. Relative to men, the IL-6 response trajectory was delayed for women. The IL-6 and TNF-a findings suggest women's maximal cytokine responses were not captured by the final time point.This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that women with chronic pain may experience increased and delayed inflammatory responses following negative emotional expression induced by thinking negatively about their pain condition. The findings have implications for pain catastrophizing research. This early-phase research suggests that the timing and duration of the cytokine response are critical factors to consider in future pain research.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.genm.2010.06.003

    View details for PubMedID 20638630

  • Sex and gender in psychoneuroimmunology research: Past, present and future BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY Darnall, B. D., Suarez, E. C. 2009; 23 (5): 595-604

    Abstract

    To date, research suggests that sex and gender impact pathways central to the foci of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). This review provides a historical perspective on the evolution of sex and gender in psychoneuroimmunology research. Gender and sexually dimorphic pathways may have synergistic effects on health differences in men and women. We provide an overview of the literature of sex and gender differences in brain structure and function, sex steroids, gender role identification, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, genetics, immunology and cytokine response. Specific examples shed light on the importance of attending to sex and gender methodology in PNI research and recommendations are provided.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbi.2009.02.019

    View details for PubMedID 19272440

  • Self-Delivered Home-Based Mirror Therapy for Lower Limb Phantom Pain AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION Darnall, B. D. 2009; 88 (1): 78-81

    Abstract

    Home-based patient-delivered mirror therapy is a promising approach in the treatment of phantom limb pain. Previous studies and case reports of mirror therapy have used a therapist-guided, structured protocol of exercises. No case report has described treatment for either upper or lower limb phantom pain by using home-based patient-delivered mirror therapy. The success of this case demonstrates that home-based patient-delivered mirror therapy may be an efficacious, low-cost treatment option that would eliminate many traditional barriers to care.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/PHM.0b013e318191105b

    View details for PubMedID 19096290

  • Depressive symptoms and mental health service utilization among persons with limb loss: results of a national survey. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation Darnall, B. D., Ephraim, P., Wegener, S. T., Dillingham, T., Pezzin, L., Rossbach, P., MacKenzie, E. J. 2005; 86 (4): 650-658

    Abstract

    To describe the prevalence of depressive symptoms, risk factors, and mental health service utilization in a national limb-loss sample.Cross-sectional survey.Participants were interviewed by telephone.A stratified sample by etiology of 914 persons with limb loss, derived from people who contacted the Amputee Coalition of America from 1998 to 2000.Not applicable.Center for Epidemiologic Study Depression Scale (CES-D 10-item), pain bothersomeness, characteristics of the amputation, sociodemographics, and mental health service utilization.Prevalence for significant depressive symptoms (CES-D score, >/=10) was 28.7%. Risk factors included being divorced or separated, living at the near-poverty level, having comorbid conditions, being somewhat bothered or extremely bothered by back pain and phantom limb pain, and having residual limb pain for persons aged 18 to 54. Having higher education was a buffer against depressive symptoms. Almost 22% of the sample and 44.6% of persons with significant depressive symptoms received mental health service in the previous year. For persons with significant depressive symptoms, 32.9% reported needing mental health service but not receiving them, and 67.1% reported not needing mental health service.Depressive symptoms are prevalent among persons with limb loss. Proper management of pain and medical comorbidity may mitigate depressive symptoms. Education about depressive symptoms and treatment options may improve receipt of mental health service among persons with limb loss reporting significant levels of depressive symptoms.

    View details for PubMedID 15827913

  • Depressive symptoms among persons with and mental health service utilization limb loss: Results of a national survey Rehabilitation Psychology Winter Conference Darnall, B. D., Ephraim, P., Wegener, S. T., Dillingham, T., Pezzin, L., Rossbach, P., MacKenzie, E. J. W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC. 2005: 650–58

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.apmr.2004.10.028

    View details for Web of Science ID 000228237300006

  • Modification of the cognitive model for bulimia via path analysis on a Brazilian adolescent sample ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS Darnall, B. D., Smith, J. E., Craighead, L. W., Lamounier, J. A. 1999; 24 (1): 47-57

    Abstract

    Eating disturbances in middle-class Brazilian adolescents attending three high schools (one Military, two Private schools) were investigated. Participants from both Private schools were similar to U.S. samples on the EAT-26. Path analysis on the Private schools revealed the following. Higher body weight leads to weight concerns most strongly through greater discrepancy from the ideal, but it also leads directly to weight concern. Thus, both the reality of being heavier and the perception that one is larger than ideal (which could be due to being heavier and/or having a thin ideal) contribute to weight concern. Greater weight concern is associated most directly with lower self-esteem, which in turn is associated with endorsing greater importance of weight and shape. Importance of weight and shape contributes most powerfully to eating pathology through dieting, but this variable has a modest direct effect as well. These paths were not significant for the Military school sample in which participants reported lower levels of weight concern, dieting, body dissatisfaction, and a larger ideal figure. However, the Military sample rated importance of weight and shape as high as did Private-school participants. The results provide support for variables identified as important in the cognitive model of bulimia and suggest the model may be enhanced by including body weight and one's perceived ideal body shape as additional variables.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000077732100004

    View details for PubMedID 10189972

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