Emotional Processing for Chronic Pain Relief

A groundbreaking clinical trial led by UNSW Sydney and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) reveals that targeting emotional processing for chronic pain may be the missing link in long-term pain management. Published in JAMA Network Open, the study explores how retraining the brain to manage emotions can significantly reduce pain intensity and improve mental wellbeing.

Why Emotional Processing for Chronic Pain Matters

Chronic pain affects nearly 30% of the global population and often leads to emotional distress, depression, and anxiety. Traditional treatments, including opioids and over-the-counter medications, offer short-term relief but come with risks such as dependency and reduced efficacy over time.

Researchers, led by Professor Sylvia Gustin and Dr Nell Norman-Nott, have developed a novel intervention called Pain and Emotion Therapy. This digital program addresses the emotional roots of chronic pain by helping individuals better regulate negative emotions while enhancing their ability to recognize positive ones.

The Power of Pain and Emotion Therapy

Conducted between March 2023 and September 2024, the trial included 89 participants across Australia. Those enrolled in the therapy reported a 10-point reduction in pain intensity (on a 100-point scale) and significantly improved emotional regulation within six months.

Delivered via eight group-based video sessions, the therapy also included a mobile app and handbook for self-guided learning. This format made it accessible for people in remote areas or those facing barriers to in-person treatment.

The Emotional Brain and Chronic Pain

According to Professor Gustin, chronic pain disrupts the brain’s emotional circuitry, leading to a damaging cycle of pain and emotional dysregulation. “Changing how we manage emotions can change the experience of pain itself,” she explains.

Dr Norman-Nott adds, “This therapy focuses on emotion identification and expression—skills often neglected in chronic pain care. We’re not avoiding emotions; we’re training individuals to process them in healthy, constructive ways.”

From Trial to Treatment

Study participants like Richard Beaumont, who has lived with cancer and back pain for over a decade, found the therapy transformative. “I used to hit 8 or 9 out of 10 on the pain scale. Now I can bring it down to 4 or 5 just by calming the farm,” he says.

With promising results, the next phase is a large-scale trial scheduled for 2026, funded by the Medical Research Future Fund. Interested participants are encouraged to register.

A New Future for Pain Relief

This research highlights that treating the emotional brain is just as critical as addressing physical symptoms. As Dr Norman-Nott notes, “We’re finally treating the whole person, not just the pain.”

For more information: Norman-Nott, N., et al. (2025). Online Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Emotion Dysregulation in People With Chronic Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open. doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.6908.