ArticleEuropean journal of pain (London, England)2023
How does pain work? A qualitative analysis of how young adults with chronic pain conceptualize the biology of pain.
Article in European journal of pain (London, England), 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed.
- The effect of implementation of pain neuroscience education and rehabilitation exercise on post-operative pain and recovery after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial.Journal of anesthesia · 2023Trial
- A Latent Profile Analysis of Psychological, Personality, and Religious Characteristics in Iranian Adults With Chronic Pain.Pain research & management · 2026Article
- Why do you think you still have pain? Individuals' beliefs on the biopsychosocial factors that contribute to their chronic musculoskeletal pain: a qualitative exploration.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Article
- 'It can be very complicated': A qualitative analysis of clinicians' practices and perspectives on treating adolescents with nonspecific persistent back pain.Clinical rehabilitation · 2025Article
- The Concept of Pain in Children Attending Primary School: Implications for School-Based Pain Education.Pain research & management · 2025Article
- Exploring Adolescents' Understanding, Experiences and Beliefs About Pain: A Qualitative Study.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2024Article
- Explanation for symptoms and biographical repair in a clinic for persistent physical symptoms.SSM. Qualitative research in health · 2024Article
- How does pain work? A qualitative analysis of how young adults with chronic pain conceptualize the biology of pain.European journal of pain (London, England) · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundPain science education (PSE) is commonly integrated into treatments for childhood-onset chronic pain. A core component of PSE is learning about, and often reconceptualizing, the biology of chronic pain. Yet, few interventions have been developed specifically for young adults and little is known about how young adults conceptualize the biology of pain. This study used a qualitative methodology to examine how young adults with childhood-onset chronic pain understand the biology of pain, and the language they use in this meaning-making process, which may inform future interventions tailored to this age group.
methodsWe identified a cohort of young adults with childhood onset chronic pain, and a subset of 17 young adults with continuing chronic pain completed individual, semi-structured interviews. Telephone interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
resultsWe generated four themes that capture participants' conceptualizations of the biology of pain: (1) Something is wrong with the body, (2) An injury has not healed, (3) Nerves fire when they should not, (4) An overactive stress system.
conclusionThese conceptualizations, and the language used by young adults with childhood-onset chronic pain to describe them are discussed. Recommendations are provided for how PSE interventions can be tailored for young adults. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides new qualitative insights reflecting a variety of ways that young adults with childhood-onset chronic pain conceptualize pain. Some conceptualizations of pain align with modern pain science principles (altered function of nervous and endocrine systems) while others conflict (unhealed injury). Health professionals can use these findings to tailor their pain education interventions by leveraging concepts that 'stick' for youth, being aware of, and interrogating, common misconceptions, and offering language and metaphors familiar to youth.
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