Running Head: BRAIN CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH COGNITIVE FACTORS IN

CHRONIC PAIN
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Brain Changes Associated With Cognitive Factors In Chronic Pain

Student’s Name

Institution Affiliation
 Running Head: BRAIN CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH COGNITIVE FACTORS IN
CHRONIC PAIN
2

Brain Changes Associated With Cognitive and Emotional Factors In Chronic Pain

Abstract

The objective of this review was to examine the connection of the brain alterations and pain

related emotional to cognitive factor.

The methodology included on line search on PubMed, Embase and web of science for the

original research reports in which 28 eligible papers were included with information on

depressive symptoms, anxiety, fear-avoidance and brain catastrophizing.

It was established that pain catasprophizing closely relative to brain areas involved in pain

transmission, attention to pain, emotion and motor activity and to reduced pain recusal.

Important connection with resting state of fMRI data provides that even when not at use, the

brain reserves a certain activity for these pain related agents.

Introduction

Chronic pain is determined through a great personal impact with a high prevalence, resulting

in a high socioeconomic costs and low quality of life caused by a long-term sick leave.

There is need to gain the introspection of the underlying mechanism of chronic pain hence

finding a way to transfer the found information onto clinical practices.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been the most emerging technique in helping

understand that chronic pain patient shows brain alteration concerning brain structure and

function.

There is need to examine the current research and the relationship between emotional factors

and maladaptive cognitive related to brain and pain alterations measured by Magnetic

Resonance imaging in chronic pain patients.

Methodology

Registration was done in which a systematic review was held in accordance to PRISMA. This

was followed by literature search strategy where screening PubMed, web of science and
 Running Head: BRAIN CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH COGNITIVE FACTORS IN
CHRONIC PAIN
3

Embase. A study selection was then done which was followed by literature being screened by

AM

Results

Reference lists of each paper were screened and searched which resulted to four of the papers

not being found by the electronic strategy

Discussion

Brain alteration is related to various cognitive and emotional factors in patients with chronic

pain. However, it is necessary to take into account the existing gender differences in brain

morphology and function.

The main limitation constitutes the application of spearman and Pearson correlations in most

studies when there is need to investigate the relation between brain alterations and

maladaptive cognitive and emotional factors.

Conclusion

Pain catastrophizing is associated with the processing of pain, pain attention, emotion and

activity of the motor, which is related to the reduced engagement of the descending pain

modulatory system.