Research summary
Many Canadians suffer from chronic back pain—and often, the source is not related to specific tissue damage. Some might be helped by cognitive therapies, but identifying the patients most likely to benefit from this alternative approach is challenging. We know that certain patients can experience some pain relief simply by receiving information at a doctor’s appointment that shapes their expectations. What’s not clear is how variability in brain mechanisms related to these expectations can interfere with some people’s recoveries. As Canada Research Chair in Pain Research, Dr. Javeria Hashmi is trying to figure out how negative expectations and thoughts can contribute to refractory chronic back pain.
She and her research team are using MRI data and functional scans to investigate the variability in the extent to which negative expectations can amplify perceived pain and reduce the effectiveness of treatment in people with chronic back pain. By demonstrating a clear neurobiological basis for chronic back pain, they hope to improve treatment strategies and outcomes for people who suffer from this problem.