Importance of beliefs in the modulation of chronic pain: concept and evaluation

Abstract

This work analyses some aspects that are the object of a great deal of research from the cognitivebehaviour framework, in particular cognitive variables and their role on pain perception in patients with chronic pain. In recent studies, chronic pain has been studied from the perspective of the Process Stress Model. The pain is considered as a stressful experience and, therefore, assessed as such by the individual. Cognitive variables such as control perception, expectations about pain, helplessness, or catastrophizing seem to be relevant to the study of cognitive processes and of the strategies used in coping with pain.