Bio


I am interested in investigating the role of stress and emotion regulatory system in chronic pain and substance use. I am also interested in identifying EEG markers for critical psychological and neurocognitive factors contributing to worsening or improving pain symptoms and substance use disorder. Ultimately, my research goal is to develop mechanisms-based psychological interventions for patients suffering from chronic pain to optimize pain management strategies with less medications and substances and to help patients live meaningful life.

Clinical Focus


  • Chronic Pain
  • Pain Management
  • Pain Medicine

Academic Appointments


  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine

Professional Education


  • Fellowship: Stanford University Division of Pain Medicine (2019) CA
  • Internship: Wright State University School of Psychology (2017) OH
  • BSN, Hanyang University, Nursing (1997)
  • BA, Case Western Reserve University, Psychology (2007)
  • MS, Texas A&M University, Clinical Psychology (2012)
  • PhD, Texas A&M University, Clinical Psychology (2017)

Clinical Trials


  • Pain Catastrophizing and Prescription Opioid Craving Recruiting

    Adherence to prescription opioid and opioid tapering as indicated are critical for safe chronic opioid therapy for chronic pain, but this can be difficult for patients experiencing prescription opioid craving. Because pain catastrophizing is proposed as a possible treatment target by our and others' preliminary results, the proposed study aims to determine whether pain catastrophizing is a treatment target to reduce prescription opioid craving and to investigate whether negative affect and stress hormones are potential mediators. The findings from the current study will inform whether a psychology intervention to lower pain catastrophizing will reduce opioid craving, and whether psychological and physical distress as well as cognitive function will be potential mediators of the treatment effect.

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  • Virtual Empowered Relief for Chronic Pain Not Recruiting

    The purpose of the current pilot study is to examine a feasibility and the preliminary efficacy of Empowered Relief (ER) class when it is delivered 'virtually' to patients with chronic pain who take methadone or buprenorphine. The ER class is a single-session pain management class, which has demonstrated to be effective in improving pain and pain-related distress in patients with chronic low back pain, but its efficacy has not been examined in patients with chronic pain who take methadone or buprenorphine. Class participants will learn self-regulatory skills and develop a personalized plan to use the skills every day. The current study will examine a feasibility and participant's perception and satisfaction of this class at post-class. The study will also follow participants 3 months by administering 5 surveys (baseline, 2 weeks and 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months post-treatment) to determine whether the class confers the short-term and medium-term benefits across various aspects of health.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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2024-25 Courses


All Publications


  • Evaluating a 30-day alcohol abstinence challenge in heavy-drinking individuals with and without chronic pain: feasibility, safety, and perceived benefits. Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.) You, D. S., Ziadni, M. S., Vest, N., Megerdichian, N., Maronesy, T., Castro, R. J., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C., Humphreys, K. 2024

    Abstract

    To combat high-risk alcohol consumption, we introduced a 30-day alcohol abstinence challenge targeted at heavy drinkers with and without chronic pain. Our study aimed to assess the challenge's feasibility and safety and to explore its perceived benefits. Our exploratory aim was to identify participants' coping strategies during the challenge.Our single-arm study recruited heavy drinkers from a pain clinic and a university setting (n = 34, 64.7% chronic pain). Participants underwent a modified community-based 30-day challenge, which included motivational interviewing, an individualized start date, and weekly phone check-ins.We found the 30-day challenge was feasible and safe; 72.3% of eligible heavy drinkers participated in the challenge with no serious adverse events. Most challengers (94.1%) reported some benefit from the challenge, which included improvements in alcohol withdrawal symptoms, sleep, and alcohol abstinence self-efficacy, but not in pain. We identified 25 perceived benefits and 21 coping strategies.Our study confirms that a 30-day alcohol abstinence challenge is a feasible and safe intervention for heavy drinkers with and without chronic pain, yielding notable health benefits. The challenge also facilitated the development of effective coping strategies. Future studies should explore the long-term benefits of such interventions in broader outpatient settings.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.alcohol.2024.10.046

    View details for PubMedID 39489405

  • Protocol for a randomised trial of a self-directed digital pain management intervention (Empowered Relief) tailored to adults with chronic pain and prescription opioid misuse/disorder: the MOBILE Relief study. BMJ open Edwards, K. A., Palenski, P., Perez, L., You, D. S., Ziadni, M. S., Jung, C., Adair, E., Tian, L., Mackey, S. C., Darnall, B. D. 2024; 14 (8): e086889

    Abstract

    Chronic pain increases the risk of prescription opioid misuse or opioid use disorder (OUD). Non-pharmacological treatments are needed to dually address pain and opioid risks. The purpose of the Mobile and Online-Based Interventions to Lessen Pain (MOBILE Relief) study is to compare a one-session, video-based, on-demand digital pain relief skills intervention for chronic pain ('Empowered Relief' (ER); tailored to people at risk for opioid misuse or with opioid misuse/OUD) to a one-session digital health education intervention ('Living Better'; no pain management skills).MOBILE Relief is an international online randomised controlled clinical trial. Study participants are adults with chronic, non-cancer pain (≥6 months) with daily pain intensity ≥3/10, taking ≥10 morphine equivalent daily dose and score ≥6 on the Current Opioid Misuse Measure. Participants are recruited through clinician referrals and clinic advertisements. Study procedures include electronic eligibility screening, informed consent, automated 1:1 randomisation to the treatment group, baseline measures, receipt of assigned digital treatment and six post-treatment surveys spanning 3 months. Study staff will call participants at baseline and 1-month and 3 months post-treatment to verify the opioid prescription. The main statistical analyses will include analysis of covariance and mixed effects model for repeated measurements regression.Primary outcomes are self-reported pain catastrophising, pain intensity, pain interference, opioid craving and opioid misuse at 1-month and 3 months post-treatment. We will determine the feasibility of ER (≥50% participant engagement, ≥70% treatment appraisal ratings). We hypothesise the ER group will be superior to the Living Better group in the reduction of multiprimary pain outcomes at 1-month post-treatment and opioid outcomes at 1-month and 3 months post-treatment.The study protocol was approved by the Stanford University School of Medicine Institutional Review Board (IRB 61643). We will publish results in peer-reviewed journals; National Institute of Drug Abuse (funder) and MOBILE Relief participants will receive result summaries.NCT05152134.

    View details for DOI 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-086889

    View details for PubMedID 39122392

  • Feasibility of Web-Based Single-Session Empowered Relief in Patients With Chronic Pain Taking Methadone or Buprenorphine: Protocol for a Single-Arm Trial. JMIR research protocols Klein, M. R., Darnall, B. D., You, D. S. 2024; 13: e53784

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Chronic pain affects tens of millions of US adults and continues to rise in prevalence. Nonpharmacologic behavioral pain treatments are greatly needed and yet are often inaccessible, particularly in settings where medication prescribing is prioritized.OBJECTIVE: This study aims to test the feasibility of a live-instructor, web-based 1-session pain relief skills class in an underserved and potentially at-risk population: people with chronic pain prescribed methadone or buprenorphine either solely for pain or for comorbid opioid use disorder (OUD).METHODS: This is a national, prospective, single-arm, uncontrolled feasibility trial. The trial is untethered from medical care; to enhance participants' willingness to join the study, no medical records or drug-monitoring records are accessed. At least 45 participants will be recruited from outpatient pain clinics and from an existing research database of individuals who have chronic pain and are taking methadone or buprenorphine. Patient-reported measures will be collected at 6 time points (baseline, immediately post treatment, 2 weeks, and months 1-3) via a web-based platform, paper, or phone formats to include individuals with limited internet or computer access and low literacy skills. At baseline, participants complete demographic questions and 13 study measures (Treatment Expectations, Body Pain Map, Medication Use, Pain Catastrophizing Scale [PCS], Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System [PROMIS] Measures, and Opioid Craving Scale). Immediately post treatment, a treatment satisfaction and acceptability measure is administered on a 0 (very dissatisfied) to 10 (completely satisfied) scale, with 3 of these items being the primary outcome (perceived usefulness, participant satisfaction, and likelihood of using the skills). At each remaining time point, the participants complete all study measures minus treatment expectations and satisfaction. Participants who do not have current OUD will be assessed for historical OUD, with presence of OUD (yes or no), and history of OUD (yes or no) reported separately. Feasibility threshold is set as an overall group treatment satisfaction rating of 8 of 10. In-depth qualitative interviews will be conducted with about 10 participants to obtain additional data on patient perceptions, satisfactions, needs, and wants. To assess preliminary efficacy, we will examine changes in pain catastrophizing, pain intensity, pain bothersomeness, sleep disturbance, pain interference, depression, anxiety, physical function, global impression of change, and opioid craving at 1 month post treatment.RESULTS: This project opened to enrollment in September 2021 and completed the recruitment in October 2023. The data collection was completed in February 2024. Results are expected to be published in late 2024.CONCLUSIONS: Results from this trial will inform the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of Empowered Relief in this population and will inform the design of a future randomized controlled trial testing web-based Empowered Relief in chronic pain and comorbid OUD.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05057988; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05057988.INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/53784.

    View details for DOI 10.2196/53784

    View details for PubMedID 38843513

  • People Prescribed Opioids for Chronic Pain Face Multiple Barriers to Ongoing Opioid Therapy: Baseline Characteristics from the VALUE National, Observational, Study Perez, L., Bright, V., You, D. S., Palenski, P., Dorsonne, B., Hailu, A., Anderson, A., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2024: 29
  • Which Types of Ruminative Thinking Style Predict Worse Depression, Anxiety, and Anger Symptoms in Chronic Pain Patients? Konstantopoulos, C. G., Kaptan, M., Mackey, S. C., You, D. S. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2024: 65-66
  • PROFILES OF CHRONIC PAIN STIGMA AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH HEALTH OUTCOMES Edwards, K. A., You, D. S., Mackey, S. C., Darnall, B. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2024: S127
  • FEASIBILITY AND CLINICAL APPLICABILITY OF A 30-DAY ALCOHOL FREE CHALLENGE IN HEAVY DRINKERS WITH CHRONIC PAIN: A PILOT STUDY Lee, A. G., Maronesy, T., Megerdichian, N., You, D. S. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2024: S370
  • Predictors Of Opioid Misuse in A Sample of Patients with Chronic Pain Taking Daily Prescription Opioids Ziadni, M. S., You, D., Herrick, A., Darnall, B. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2024: 71-72
  • Assessing Differences in Healthcare Discrimination as a Function of High Impact Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Dildine, T. C., Lannon, E., Mackey, S., You, D. S. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2024: 37
  • Which Types of Rumination Will Predict Longitudinal Physical and Psychological Status in Patients with Chronic Pain? Kaptan, M., Konstantopoulos, C. G., Mackey, S. C., You, D. S. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2024: 65
  • Low Pain Self-Efficacy as a Psychological Factor Associated with High Impact Chronic Pain Raney, E., Weber, K., Mackey, S. C., You, D. S. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2024: 5
  • Investigating the Relationship Between Sleep Quality, Pain, and Physical Function in People with Chronic Neck and Upper Limb Pain Berhe, N., You, D., Mackey, S., Weber, K. A. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2024: 69
  • Utilizing a learning health system to capture real-world patient data: Application of the reliable change index to evaluate and improve the outcome of a pain rehabilitation program. Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain You, D. S., Chong, J. L., Mackey, S. C., Poupore-King, H. 2024

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The learning healthcare system (LHS) has been developed to integrate patients' clinical data into clinical decisions and improve treatment outcomes. Having little guidance on this integration process, we aim to explain (a) an applicable analytic tool for clinicians to evaluate the clinical outcomes at a group and an individual level and (b) our quality improvement (QI) project, analyzing the outcomes of a new outpatient pain rehabilitation program ("Back-in-Action": BIA) and applying the analysis results to modify our clinical practice.METHODS: Through our LHS (CHOIR; https://choir.stanford.edu), we administered the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ), and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMIS) before and after BIA. After searching for appropriate analytic tools, we decided to use the Reliable Change Index (RCI) to determine if an observed change in the direction of better (improvement) or worse (deterioration) would be beyond or within the measurement error (no change).RESULTS: Our RCI calculations revealed that at least a 9-point decrease in the PCS scores and 10-point increase in the CPAQ scores would indicate reliable improvement. RCIs for the PROMIS measures ranged from 5 to 8T-score points (i.e., 0.5-0.8 SD). When evaluating change scores of the PCS, CPAQ, and PROMIS measures, we found that 94% of patients showed improvement in at least one domain after BIA and 6% showed no reliable improvement.CONCLUSIONS: Our QI project revealed RCI as a useful tool to evaluate treatment outcomes at a group and an individual level, and RCI could be incorporated into the LHS to generate a progress report automatically for clinicians. We further explained how clinicians could use RCI results to modify a clinical practice, to improve the outcomes of a pain program, and to develop individualized care plans. Lastly, we suggested future research areas to improve the LHS application in pain practice.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/papr.13364

    View details for PubMedID 38465804

  • Trends in patient representation in low back pain pharmacological randomized clinical trials, 2011-2020: A systematic review. The journal of pain Jiang, T. E., Edwards, K. A., Dildine, T. C., You, D. S., Nguyen, T., Pascual, A. P., Falasinnu, T. 2024

    Abstract

    Low back pain (LBP) significantly affects global health, with associated detrimental outcomes such as physical impairment, emotional distress, and exacerbated mental health symptoms. This study evaluated the representation of marginalized groups, including racialized, gender minority, pregnant/lactating, and elderly individuals in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for pharmacological interventions treating LBP from 2011 to 2020. We searched Embase, MEDLINE, and CINAHL in December 2021, and 139 studies were eligible. Most trials (n = 113, 81%) reported participant sex; however, no study collected data on sexual and gender minorities, and the majority (n = 99, 71%) excluded pregnant/lactating individuals. Most trials (n = 105, 76%) reported no data on participant race or ethnicity. We limited within-country analyses of race and ethnicity to US-based trials because US-based trials were more likely to report race and/or ethnicity (48%) compared to non-US-based trials (8%). Black participants were the only racialized group whose composition were comparable to US Census estimates. About half (n = 73, 53%) of all trials had an upper age limit for eligibility (range: 40-85 years old) and 24% (n = 33) excluded adults aged > 65 years. Our findings confirm that trials for pharmacological LBP interventions underreport demographic data, and the trials that include this data have unrepresentative samples. There is an urgent need for more inclusive and representative patient samples to ensure generalizability and equitable benefits. Standardizing demographic data reporting and integrating community-based participatory research methods can help foster inclusive research practices. This review was registered with PROSPERO, ID 296017. PERSPECTIVE: This systematic review investigates patient representation in pharmacological-based clinical trials for low back pain, the most prevalent pain condition worldwide. Improvements in reporting demographic data and recruiting diverse participant populations-across different racialized, gender and sexual minority, and age groups- will help clinical research generalizability and provide equitable benefits. DATA AVAILABILITY: Please contact Tiffany Jiang (tjiang8@stanford.edu) for requests for extraction tool and extracted data.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.12.013

    View details for PubMedID 38185211

  • Empowered Relief, cognitive behavioral therapy, and health education for people with chronic pain: a comparison of outcomes at 6-month Follow-up for a randomized controlled trial. Pain reports Darnall, B. D., Burns, J. W., Hong, J., Roy, A., Slater, K., Poupore-King, H., Ziadni, M. S., You, D. S., Jung, C., Cook, K. F., Lorig, K., Tian, L., Mackey, S. C. 2024; 9 (1): e1116

    Abstract

    We previously conducted a 3-arm randomized trial (263 adults with chronic low back pain) which compared group-based (1) single-session pain relief skills intervention (Empowered Relief; ER); (2) 8-session cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic back pain; and (3) single-session health and back pain education class (HE). Results suggested non-inferiority of ER vs. CBT at 3 months post-treatment on an array of outcomes.Here, we tested the durability of treatment effects at 6 months post-treatment. We examined group differences in primary and secondary outcomes at 6 months and the degree to which outcomes eroded or improved from 3-month to 6-month within each treatment group.Empowered Relief remained non-inferior to CBT on most outcomes, whereas both ER and CBT remained superior to HE on most outcomes. Outcome improvements within ER did not decrease significantly from 3-month to 6-month, and indeed ER showed additional 3- to 6-month improvements on pain catastrophizing, pain bothersomeness, and anxiety. Effects of ER at 6 months post-treatment (moderate term outcomes) kept pace with effects reported by participants who underwent 8-session CBT.The maintenance of these absolute levels implies strong stability of ER effects. Results extend to 6 months post-treatment previous findings documenting that ER and CBT exhibit similarly potent effects on outcomes.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001116

    View details for PubMedID 38288134

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10824382

  • Establishing the interpretability and utility of the 4-item BriefPCS. Scientific reports You, D. S., Cook, K. F., Lannon, E. W., Ziadni, M. S., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. 2023; 13 (1): 21272

    Abstract

    To reduce the patient burden associated with completing the 13-item Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), the 4-item "BriefPCS" was developed. To date, no crosswalk has been developed that associates scores on the BriefPCS with PCS scores. Further, no study has compared the use of BriefPCS and PCS scores in a randomized clinical trial (RCT). We aimed to: (1) establish the interpretability of BriefPCS scores in reference to PCS scores, (2) compare the concurrent validity between the BriefPCS and PCS, and (3) asssess the use of BriefPCS in an RCT. First, we conducted equipercentile linking, created a crosswalk that associated scores of BriefPCS with PCS, and calculated differences between PCS and crosswalked PCS scores. Secondly, we compared Bootstrap correlation coefficients between PCS and self-reported measures of other domains. Lastly, we compared results from an RCT using BriefPCS scores versus PCS scores. Findings indicated that the correlation coefficient estimates with the BriefPCS and PCS scores were not significantly different. BriefPCS and PCS scores had similar ability to detect treatment-related changes. The BriefPCS scores validly, reliably, and accurately distinguish levels of pain catastrophizing. Additionally, the BriefPCS scores are sensitive to changes after behavioral interventions, with less respondent burden compared to the PCS scores.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s41598-023-48433-6

    View details for PubMedID 38042937

    View details for PubMedCentralID 8369357

  • A Longitudinal Investigation of the Impact of COVID-19 on Patients with Chronic Pain. The journal of pain Ziadni, M. S., Jaros, S., Anderson, S. R., You, D. S., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. 2023

    Abstract

    The COVID-19 pandemic prompted unexpected changes in the healthcare system. This current longitudinal study had two aims: 1) describe the trajectory of pandemic-associated stressors and patient-reported health outcomes among patients receiving treatment at a tertiary pain clinic over two years (May 2020 to June 2022); and 2) identify vulnerable subgroups. We assessed changes in pandemic-associated stressors and patient-reported health outcome measures. The study sample included 1,270 adult patients who were predominantly female (74.6%), White (66.2%), non-Hispanic (80.6%), married (66.1%), not on disability (71.2%), college-educated (59.45%), and not currently working (57.9%). We conducted linear mixed effect modeling to examine the main effect of time with controlling for a random intercept. Findings revealed a significant main effect of time for all pandemic-associated stressors except financial impact. Over time, patients reported increased proximity to COVID-19, but decreased pandemic-associated stressors. A significant improvement was also observed in pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and PROMIS-pain interference, sleep, anxiety, anger, and depression scores. Demographic-based subgroup analyses for pandemic-associated stressors revealed that younger adults, Hispanics, Asians, and patients receiving disability compensation were vulnerable groups either during the initial visit or follow-up visits. We observed additional differential pandemic effects between groups based on participant sex, education level, and working status. In conclusion, despite unanticipated changes in pain care services during the pandemic, patients receiving pain treatments adjusted to pandemic-related stressors and improved their health status over time. As the current study observed differential pandemic impacts on patient subgroups, future studies should investigate and address the unmet needs of vulnerable subgroups. PERSPECTIVE: Over a two-year timeframe, the pandemic did not adversely influence physical and mental health among treatment-seeking patients with chronic pain. Patients reported small but significant improvements across indices of physical and psychosocial health. Differential impacts emerged among groups based on ethnicity, age, disability status, gender, education level, and working status.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.05.010

    View details for PubMedID 37225065

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10201913

  • EEG Power Spectrum Predict Concurrent And Future Depression In Chronic Pain Lannon, E., You, D. S., Mackey, S. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2023: 76-77
  • The Impact Of Single-Session Behavioral Pain Management Class On Next Day Pain Intensity And Opioid Use Among People With Chronic Pain Taking Prescribed Daily Opioids: A Daily Dairy Study Edwards, K., Dildine, T., Herrick, A., You, D. S., Darnall, B., Ziadni, M. S. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. 2023: 96-97
  • Spontaneous self-affirmation: an adaptive coping strategy for people with chronic pain. Scandinavian journal of pain You, D. S., Hettie, G., Darnall, B. D., Ziadni, M. S. 2023

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVES: Self-affirmation may be a promising treatment strategy for improving clinical outcomes. This study examined the association between self-affirmation and self-reported health status among people with chronic pain.METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 768 treatment seeking people (female 67.2%, mean age=50.4years with SD of 17.1, White/Caucasian 59.9%) completed surveys using a learning healthcare system. Measures included spontaneous self-affirmation (SSA) items, PROMIS outcome measures, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Multiple regressions were conducted to examine if strength-based SSA, value-based SSA, and their interaction would predict perceived health status and pain coping strategy. Sensitivity analysis was done by performing additional regressions with covariates (age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education). Lastly, exploratory analysis examined if average SSA scores would have a linear relationship with perceived health status.RESULTS: The strength x value-based SSA interaction significantly predicted the PROMIS-depression, anxiety, and social isolation T-scores (ps≤0.007), but not anger T-scores (p=0.067). Specifically, greater tendency to use both SSA styles predicted less symptoms of depression, anxiety and social isolation. This interaction remained significant when controlling for the covariates. The two SSA styles and their interaction did not significantly predict pain interference, sleep disturbance, fatigue, average pain rating and PCS scores (ps≥0.054). Exploratory analysis revealed SSA average scores did not have a significant linear relationship with perceived health status.CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed self-affirmation as being associated with better psychosocial health, but not associated with physical health and pain catastrophizing among patients with chronic pain. Our findings suggested the potential benefit of incorporating strength- and value-based affirmations in pain intervention approaches.

    View details for DOI 10.1515/sjpain-2022-0099

    View details for PubMedID 36935574

  • Patient Responses to the Term Pain Catastrophizing: Thematic Analysis of Cross-sectional International Data. The journal of pain Webster, F., Connoy, L., Longo, R., Ahuja, D., Amtmann, D., Anderson, A., Ashton-James, C. E., Boyd, H., Chambers, C. T., Cook, K. F., Cowan, P., Crombez, G., Feinstein, A. B., Fuqua, A., Gilam, G., Jordan, I., Mackey, S. C., Martins, E., Martire, L. M., O'Sullivan, P., Richards, D. P., Turner, J. A., Veasley, C., Würtzen, H., Yang, S. Y., You, D. S., Ziadni, M., Darnall, B. D. 2022

    Abstract

    Pain catastrophizing is understood as a negative cognitive and emotional response to pain. Researchers, advocates and patients have reported stigmatizing effects of the term in clinical settings and the media. We conducted an international study to investigate patient perspectives on the term pain catastrophizing. Open-ended electronic patient and caregiver proxy surveys were promoted internationally by collaborator stakeholders and through social media. 3,521 surveys were received from 47 countries (77.3% from the U.S.). The sample was mainly female (82.1%), with a mean age of 41.62 (SD 12.03) years; 95% reported ongoing pain and pain duration > 10 years (68.4%). Forty-five percent (n = 1,295) had heard of the term pain catastrophizing; 12% (n= 349) reported being described as a 'pain catastrophizer' by a clinician with associated high levels of feeling blamed, judged, and dismissed. We present qualitative thematic data analytics for responses to open-ended questions, with 32% of responses highlighting the problematic nature of the term. We present the patients' perspective on the term pain catastrophizing, its material effect on clinical experiences, and associations with negative gender stereotypes. Use of patient-centered terminology may be important for favorably shaping the social context of patients' experience of pain and pain care. PERSPECTIVE: : Our large international patient survey results show that 45% of the sample had heard of the term pain catastrophizing, about one-third spontaneously rated the term as problematic, and 12% reported having the term applied to them with most reporting this to be a negative experience. Clinician education regarding the use of patient-centered terminology may help to improve patients' experience of care and reduce stigma.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.10.001

    View details for PubMedID 36241160

  • "My Surgical Success": Feasibility and Impact of a Single-Session Digital Behavioral Pain Medicine Intervention on Pain Intensity, Pain Catastrophizing, and Time to Opioid Cessation After Orthopedic Trauma Surgery-A Randomized Trial. Anesthesia and analgesia Ziadni, M. S., You, D. S., Keane, R., Salazar, B., Jaros, S., Ram, J., Roy, A., Tanner, N., Salmasi, V., Gardner, M., Darnall, B. D. 2022

    Abstract

    Behavioral pain treatments may improve postsurgical analgesia and recovery; however, effective and scalable options are not widely available. This study tested a digital perioperative behavioral medicine intervention in orthopedic trauma surgery patients for feasibility and efficacy for reducing pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and opioid cessation up to 3 months after surgery.A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at an orthopedic trauma surgery unit at a major academic hospital to compare a digital behavioral pain management intervention ("My Surgical Success" [MSS]) to a digital general health education (HE) intervention (HE; no pain management skills). The enrolled sample included 133 patients; 84 patients were randomized (MSS, N = 37; HE, N = 47) and completed study procedures. Most patients received their assigned intervention within 3 days of surgery (85%). The sample was predominantly male (61.5%), White (61.9%), and partnered (65.5%), with at least a bachelor's degree (69.0%). Outcomes were collected at 1-3 months after intervention through self-report e-surveys and electronic medical record review; an intention-to-treat analytic framework was applied. Feasibility was dually determined by the proportion of patients engaging in their assigned treatment and an application of an 80% threshold for patient-reported acceptability. We hypothesized that MSS would result in greater reductions in pain intensity and pain catastrophizing after surgery and earlier opioid cessation compared to the digital HE control group.The engagement rate with assigned interventions was 63% and exceeded commonly reported rates for fully automated Internet-based e-health interventions. Feasibility was demonstrated for the MSS engagers, with >80% reporting treatment acceptability. Overall, both groups improved in the postsurgical months across all study variables. A significant interaction effect was found for treatment group over time on pain intensity, such that the MSS group evidenced greater absolute reductions in pain intensity after surgery and up to 3 months later (treatment × time fixed effects; F[215] = 5.23; P = .024). No statistically significant between-group differences were observed for time to opioid cessation or for reductions in pain catastrophizing (F[215] = 0.20; P = .653), although the study sample notably had subclinical baseline pain catastrophizing scores (M = 14.10; 95% confidence interval, 11.70-16.49).Study findings revealed that a fully automated behavioral pain management skills intervention (MSS) may be useful for motivated orthopedic trauma surgery patients and reduce postsurgical pain up to 3 months. MSS was not associated with reduced time to opioid cessation compared to the HE control intervention.

    View details for DOI 10.1213/ANE.0000000000006088

    View details for PubMedID 35696706

  • The impact of COVID-19 on patients with chronic pain seeking care at a tertiary pain clinic. Scientific reports Ziadni, M. S., You, D. S., Cramer, E. M., Anderson, S. R., Hettie, G., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. 2022; 12 (1): 6435

    Abstract

    Empirical data on the health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic remain scarce, especially among patients with chronic pain. We conducted a cross-sectional study matched by season to examine patient-reported health symptoms among patients with chronic pain pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic onset. Survey responses were analyzed from 7535 patients during their initial visit at a tertiary pain clinic between April 2017-October 2020. Surveys included measures of pain and pain-related physical, emotional, and social function. The post-COVID-19 onset cohort included 1798 initial evaluations, and the control pre-COVID-19 cohort included 5737 initial evaluations. Patients were majority female, White/Caucasian, and middle-aged. The results indicated that pain ratings remained unchanged among patients after the pandemic onset. However, pain catastrophizing scores were elevated when COVID-19 cases peaked in July 2020. Pain interference, physical function, sleep impairment, and emotional support were improved in the post-COVID-19 cohort. Depression, anxiety, anger, and social isolation remained unchanged. Our findings provide evidence of encouraging resilience among patients seeking treatment for pain conditions in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, our findings that pain catastrophizing increased when COVID-19 cases peaked in July 2020 suggests that future monitoring and consideration of the impacts of the pandemic on patients' pain is warranted.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s41598-022-10431-5

    View details for PubMedID 35440688

  • Comparing Perceived Pain Impact Between Younger and Older Adults With High Impact Chronic Pain: A Cross-Sectional Qualitative and Quantitative Survey. Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland) You, D. S., Ziadni, M. S., Hettie, G., Darnall, B. D., Cook, K. F., Von Korff, M. R., Mackey, S. C. 2022; 3: 850713

    Abstract

    High impact chronic pain (HICP) is a recently proposed concept for treatment stratifying patients with chronic pain and monitoring their progress. The goal is to reduce the impact of chronic pain on the individual, their family, and society. The US National Pain Strategy defined HICP as the chronic pain associated with substantial restrictions on participation in work, social, and self-care activities for at least 6 months. To understand the meaning and characteristics of HICP from the younger (<65 years old) and older adults (≥65 years old) with chronic pain, our study examined patients' perceived pain impact between the two age groups. We also characterize the degree of pain impact, assessed with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pain interference (PI), between adults and older adults with HICP. We recruited patients at a tertiary pain clinic. The survey included open-ended questions about pain impact, the Graded Chronic Pain Scale-Revised to identify patients' meeting criteria for HICP, and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) 8-item PI short form (v.8a). A total of 55 younger adults (65.5% women, 72.7% HICP, mean age = 55.0 with SD of 16.2) and 28 older adults (53.6% women, 64.3% HICP, mean age = 72.6 with SD of 5.4) with chronic pain participated in this study. In response to an open-ended question in which participants were asked to list out the areas of major impact pain, those with HICP in the younger group most commonly listed work, social activity, and basic physical activity (e.g., walking and standing); for those in the older group, basic physical activity, instrumental activity of daily living (e.g., housework, grocery shopping), and participating in social or fun activity for older adults with HICP were the most common. A 2 * 2 ANOVA was conducted using age (younger adults vs. older adults) and HICP classification (HICP vs. No HICP). A statistically significant difference was found in the PROMIS-PI T-scores by HICP status (HICP: M = 58.4, SD = 6.3; No HICP: M = 67.8, SD = 6.3), but not by age groups with HICP. In conclusion, perceived pain impacts were qualitatively, but not quantitatively different between younger and older adults with HICP. We discuss limitations and offer recommendations for future research.

    View details for DOI 10.3389/fpain.2022.850713

    View details for PubMedID 35465295

  • Lack of Premeditation Predicts Aberrant Behaviors Related to Prescription Opioids in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study. Substance use & misuse Hettie, G., Nwaneshiudu, C., Ziadni, M. S., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C., You, D. S. 2021: 1-6

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE: In light of the opioid epidemic, there is a need to identify factors that predict aberrant opioid behaviors including misuse and abuse. Impulsivity has been extensively studied in addiction literature, but not in the context of opioid misuse. Hence, this study aimed to identify which of the impulsivity facets (negative urgency, positive urgency, sensation seeking, lack of perseverance, and lack of premeditation) would predict current aberrant opioid-related behaviors in patients with chronic pain.METHODS: Data were collected through an online survey from patients with chronic pain who visited a tertiary pain clinic. Patients were predominately female (74%), middle aged (M=55years), and White/Caucasian (84%). Upon consent, they completed a series of surveys including UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, the Current Opioid misuse Measure, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, PROMIS-anxiety, depression, and physical function, and a 0-10 numerical pain rating scale. Ordinal regression analyses were conducted to test study hypotheses.RESULTS: Contrary to expectations, only lack of premeditation predicted higher odds of aberrant opioid-related behaviors in the past 30days, after controlling for known covariates, and explained 26% of variance. Interestingly, lack of premeditation together with pain catastrophizing as a covariate explained 56% of the variance in aberrant opioid-related behaviors.DISCUSSION: The current study is the first to identify a potential role of lack of premeditation as an impulsivity facet predicting aberrant opioid-related behaviors among patients with chronic pain.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/10826084.2021.1958853

    View details for PubMedID 34369839

  • Clinical utility of CAT administered PROMIS measures to track change for pediatric chronic pain. The journal of pain Bhandari, R. P., Harrison, L. E., Richardson, P. A., Arce, A. B., You, D. S., Rajagopalan, A., Birnie, K. A., Sil, S. 2021

    Abstract

    Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) are utilized in clinical registries and trials, necessitating development of benchmarks to enhance interpretability. This study aimed to 1) examine if PROMIS measures administered via computer adaptive testing (CAT) were responsive to change, and 2) highlight one method of assessing clinically significant change for youth seen in a tertiary pain clinic. Clinically significant change was achieved if patients had significantly reliable pre-to-post-changes greater than Reliable Change Index (RCI) value and reported decreased symptoms by at least one severity level (e.g., moderate to mild). Participants were 328 youth (8-17 years old) seen in a tertiary pediatric pain management clinic. Small to moderate effect sizes were noted across PROMIS measures (except Peer Relations). Reliable magnitudes of change were estimated for this sample as approximately 6-point reduction for Pain Interference and Mobility, 9 for Fatigue, and 11 for Anxiety and Depression. Depending on the measure, 10-24% were categorized as improved, 3-6% as deteriorated, and 68-81% were either not clinically elevated at baseline or remained unchanged at 3-months. Overall, PROMIS CAT measures demonstrated responsiveness to change over time. Estimation of clinically significant change offers preliminary yet rigorous benchmarks for evaluating treatment response and sets the stage for understanding treatment effects. Perspective This study assesses responsiveness of CAT administered PROMIS measures and highlights one methodological approach of presenting clinical significance for assessing treatment outcomes in pediatric chronic pain. These benchmarks will allow clinicians and researchers to evaluate treatment response utilizing PROs while allowing for a deeper understanding of treatment effects.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.06.009

    View details for PubMedID 34229073

  • Emotion regulation strategies moderate the impact of negative affect induction on alcohol craving in college drinkers: an experimental paradigm JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH You, D. S., Rassu, F. S., Meagher, M. W. 2021: 1-9

    Abstract

    Observational studies suggest emotion regulation (ER) as a potential treatment target for problematic college drinking. The primary aim of this laboratory study was to determine whether trait ER strategies would moderate the impact of negative affect induction on alcohol craving in college drinkers. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to a neutral (n = 74) or a negative affect induction (n = 76) and reported their craving after the affect inductions. Results: Greater use of drinking to cope and less use of cognitive reappraisal predicted greater alcohol craving after the negative affect induction, but not after the neutral condition. In contrast, emotion suppression did not predict alcohol craving in either condition. Conclusion: Our results highlight the role of ER tendencies-particularly the benefits of cognitive reappraisal-on alcohol craving when experiencing emotional distress. Therefore, ER strategies may be an important target for college drinkers to prevent and reduce problematic drinking.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/07448481.2021.1942884

    View details for Web of Science ID 000671469700001

    View details for PubMedID 34242551

  • Customizing CAT administration of the PROMIS Misuse of Prescription Pain Medication Item Bank for patients with chronic pain. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) You, D. S., Cook, K. F., Domingue, B. W., Ziadni, M. S., Hah, J. M., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. 2021

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE: The 22-item PROMIS-Rx Pain Medication Misuse item bank (Bank-22) imposes a high response burden. This study aimed to characterize the performance of the Bank-22 in a computer adaptive testing (CAT) setting based on varied stopping rules.METHODS: The 22 items were administered to 288 patients. We performed a CAT simulation using default stopping rules (CATPROMIS). In 5 other simulations, a "best health" response rule was added to decrease response burden. This rule stopped CAT administration when a participant selected "never" to a specified number of initial Bank-22 items (2-6 in this study, designated CATAlt2-Alt6). The Bank-22 and 7-item short form (SF-7) scores were compared to scores based on CATPROMIS, and the 5 CAT variations.RESULTS: Bank-22 scores correlated highly with the SF-7 and CATPROMIS, Alt5, Alt6 scores (rs=.87-.95) and moderately with CATAlt2- Alt4 scores (rs=.63-.74). In all CAT conditions, the greatest differences with Bank-22 scores were at the lower end of misuse T-scores. The smallest differences with Bank-22 and CATPROMIS scores were observed with CATAlt5 and CATAlt6. Compared to the SF-7, CATAlt5 and CATAlt6 reduced overall response burden by about 42%. Finally, the correlations between PROMIS-Rx Misuse and Anxiety T-scores remained relatively unchanged across the conditions (rs=.31-.43, ps < .001).CONCLUSIONS: Applying a stopping rule based on number of initial "best health" responses reduced response burden for respondents with lower levels of misuse. The tradeoff was less measurement precision for those individuals, which could be an acceptable tradeoff when the chief concern is in discriminating higher levels of misuse.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pnab159

    View details for PubMedID 33944948

  • THE TEMPORAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NEGATIVE AFFECT AND SLEEP BRUXISM IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC BACK PAIN Hettie, G., You, D. S., Ziadni, M., Kong, J., Law, C., Gross, J., Manber, R., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2021: S478
  • A Brief Screening Tool for Opioid Use Disorder: EMPOWER Study Expert Consensus Protocol. Frontiers in medicine You, D. S., Mardian, A. S., Darnall, B. D., Chen, C. A., De Bruyne, K., Flood, P. D., Kao, M., Karnik, A. D., McNeely, J., Porter, J. G., Schwartz, R. P., Stieg, R. L., Mackey, S. C. 2021; 8: 591201

    Abstract

    Growing concerns about the safety of long-term opioid therapy and its uncertain efficacy for non-cancer pain have led to relatively rapid opioid deprescribing in chronic pain patients who have been taking opioid for years. To date, empirically supported processes for safe and effective opioid tapering are lacking. Opioid tapering programs have shown high rates of dropouts and increases in patient distress and suicidal ideation. Therefore, safe strategies for opioid deprescribing that are more likely to succeed are urgently needed. In response to this demand, the EMPOWER study has been launched to examine the effectiveness of behavioral medicine strategies within the context of patient-centered opioid tapering in outpatient settings (https://empower.stanford.edu/). The EMPOWER protocol requires an efficient process for ensuring that collaborative opioid tapering would be offered to the most appropriate patients while identifying patients who should be offered alternate treatment pathways. As a first step, clinicians need a screening tool to identify patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and to assess for OUD severity. Because such a tool is not available, the study team composed of eight chronic pain and/or addiction experts has extended a validated screening instrument to develop a brief and novel consensus screening tool to identify OUD and assess for OUD severity for treatment stratification. Our screening tool has the potential to assist busy outpatient clinicians to assess OUD among patients receiving long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain.

    View details for DOI 10.3389/fmed.2021.591201

    View details for PubMedID 33869240

  • Comparison of a Single-Session Pain Management Skills Intervention With a Single-Session Health Education Intervention and 8 Sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA network open Darnall, B. D., Roy, A., Chen, A. L., Ziadni, M. S., Keane, R. T., You, D. S., Slater, K., Poupore-King, H., Mackey, I., Kao, M. C., Cook, K. F., Lorig, K., Zhang, D., Hong, J., Tian, L., Mackey, S. C. 2021; 4 (8): e2113401

    Abstract

    Chronic low back pain (CLBP), the most prevalent chronic pain condition, imparts substantial disability and discomfort. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) reduces the effect of CLBP, but access is limited.To determine whether a single class in evidence-based pain management skills (empowered relief) is noninferior to 8-session CBT and superior to health education at 3 months after treatment for improving pain catastrophizing, pain intensity, pain interference, and other secondary outcomes.This 3-arm randomized clinical trial collected data from May 24, 2017, to March 3, 2020. Participants included individuals in the community with self-reported CLBP for 6 months or more and an average pain intensity of at least 4 (range, 0-10, with 10 indicating worst pain imaginable). Data were analyzed using intention-to-treat and per-protocol approaches.Participants were randomized to (1) empowered relief, (2) health education (matched to empowered relief for duration and format), or (3) 8-session CBT. Self-reported data were collected at baseline, before treatment, and at posttreatment months 1, 2, and 3.Group differences in Pain Catastrophizing Scale scores and secondary outcomes at month 3 after treatment. Pain intensity and pain interference were priority secondary outcomes.A total of 263 participants were included in the analysis (131 women [49.8%], 130 men [49.4%], and 2 other [0.8%]; mean [SD] age, 47.9 [13.8] years) and were randomized into 3 groups: empowered relief (n = 87), CBT (n = 88), and health education (n = 88). Empowered relief was noninferior to CBT for pain catastrophizing scores at 3 months (difference from CBT, 1.39 [97.5% CI, -∞ to 4.24]). Empowered relief and CBT were superior to health education for pain catastrophizing scores (empowered relief difference from health education, -5.90 [95% CI, -8.78 to -3.01; P < .001]; CBT difference from health education, -7.29 [95% CI, -10.20 to -4.38; P < .001]). Pain catastrophizing score reductions for empowered relief and CBT at 3 months after treatment were clinically meaningful (empowered relief, -9.12 [95% CI, -11.6 to -6.67; P < .001]; CBT, -10.94 [95% CI, -13.6 to -8.32; P < .001]; health education, -4.60 [95% CI, -7.18 to -2.01; P = .001]). Between-group comparisons for pain catastrophizing at months 1 to 3 were adjusted for baseline pain catastrophizing scores and used intention-to-treat analysis. Empowered relief was noninferior to CBT for pain intensity and pain interference (priority secondary outcomes), sleep disturbance, pain bothersomeness, pain behavior, depression, and anxiety. Empowered relief was inferior to CBT for physical function.Among adults with CLBP, a single-session pain management class resulted in clinically significant improvements in pain catastrophizing, pain intensity, pain interference, and other secondary outcomes that were noninferior to 8-session CBT at 3 months.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03167086.

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.13401

    View details for PubMedID 34398206

  • Effectiveness of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program in real-world patients with chronic back pain: A pilot cohort data analysis JOURNAL OF BACK AND MUSCULOSKELETAL REHABILITATION You, D. S., Ziadni, M. S., Cooley, C. E., Talavera, D. C., Mackey, S. C., Poupore-King, H. 2021; 34 (6): 965-973

    Abstract

    Randomized clinical trials (RCT) suggest a multidisciplinary approach to pain rehabilitation is superior to other active treatments in improving pain intensity, function, disability, and pain interference for patients with chronic pain, with small effect size (ds= 0.20-0.36) but its effectiveness remains unknown in real-world practice.The current study examined the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary program to a cognitive and behavioral therapy (pain-CBT) in real-world patients with chronic back pain.Twenty-eight patients (M𝑎𝑔𝑒= 57.6, 82.1% Female) completed a multidisciplinary program that included pain psychology and physical therapy. Eighteen patients (M𝑎𝑔𝑒= 58.9, 77.8% Female) completed a CBT-alone program. Using a learning healthcare system, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, 0-10 Numerical Pain Rating Scale, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® measures were administered before and after the programs.We found significant improvement in mobility and pain behavior only after a multidisciplinary program (p's < 0.031; d= 0.69 and 0.55). We also found significant improvement in pain interference, fatigue, depression, anxiety, social role satisfaction, and pain catastrophizing after pain-CBT or multidisciplinary programs (p's < 0.037; ds = 0.29-0.73). Pain ratings were not significantly changed by either program (p's > 0.207).The effect of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program observed in RCT would be generalizable to real-world practice.

    View details for DOI 10.3233/BMR-200305

    View details for Web of Science ID 000716490600008

    View details for PubMedID 34151829

  • Validation of CARE Scale-7 in treatment-seeking patients with chronic pain: measurement of sex invariance. Pain reports Ziadni, M., You, D. S., Chen, A., Wilson, A. C., Darnall, B. D. 2020; 5 (6): e862

    Abstract

    Objectives: Social and interpersonal factors impact the trajectory of chronic pain. We previously developed and validated a 2-factor, 7-item measure to assess interpersonal factors, including relationship guilt and worry and difficulty prioritizing self-care in chronic pain. Here, we confirm the factor structure and examine the sex invariance of the two-factor structure of the CARE Scale-7.Methods: Data were collected as part of routine clinical care at a tertiary pain clinic using the Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry. Patient participants (67% women) were predominantly middle-aged (M = 50.9 years, SD = 17.8), married (55.2%), and White/non-Hispanic (55.7%). Data included demographics, pain characteristics, CARE Scale-7, pain catastrophizing, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System psychological and physical function measures. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to validate the factor structure of the CARE Scale, and a stepwise approach to measurement invariances by sex examined configural, metric, and scalar invariance.Results: Internal consistency of the scale items ensured suitability for factor analyses. Confirmatory factor analysis findings revealed an overall good fit of the 2-factor model among males and females and that CARE Scale-7 is in fact sex invariant. Finally, CARE Scale-7 showed convergent validity with pain-related outcomes.Discussion: The CARE Scale is the first validated instrument to assess self-care in both sexes among patients with chronic pain. The subscale of difficulty prioritizing self-care emerged as a potentially unique factor that should be integrated in clinical assessment. CARE Scale may facilitate standardized measurement in research and clinical contexts, which may inform a comprehensive treatment focus that integrates individualized self-care planning.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000862

    View details for PubMedID 33204930

  • Hyperalgesia after a Drinking Episode in Young Adult Binge Drinkers: A Cross-Sectional Study. Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire) You, D. S., Hahn, H. A., Welsh, T. H., Meagher, M. W. 2020

    Abstract

    Rodent studies propose potential mechanisms linking excessive drinking and pain hypersensitivity (hyperalgesia), such that stress hormones (i.e. epinephrine and cortisol) mediate induction and maintenance of alcohol withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia. The first aim of this study was to examine whether hyperalgesia would occur within 48 h after a drinking episode in healthy young adult binge drinkers. The second was to examine whether stress hormones and negative effect would be associated with binge drinking or alcohol withdrawal-associated hyperalgesia.A cross-sectional experiment was conducted in five groups with naturally occurring drinking (mean age = 19.6, range 18-29 years): abstainers (n = 43, 54% female), moderate drinkers with (n = 50, 50% female) or without recent drinking (i.e. within 48 h, n = 23, 26% female) and binge drinkers with (n = 36, 58% female) or without recent drinking (n = 25, 44% female). All types of drinkers endorsed drinking about 2-3 times a month and 2-3 years of drinking history.Muscle pressure pain thresholds were significantly lower in the binge group with recent drinking compared to other groups, but cutaneous mechanical and heat pain thresholds were not significantly different across the five groups. Basal epinephrine levels were significantly higher in binge groups regardless of recent drinking, but cortisol and negative effect were not significantly different across the five groups.This is the first study to show that alcohol withdrawal-associated muscle hyperalgesia may occur in healthy episodic binge drinkers with only 2-3 years of drinking history, and epinephrine may play a role in binge drinking-associated hyperalgesia.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/alcalc/agaa035

    View details for PubMedID 32476005

  • Perceived Injustice Mediates the Relationship Between Perceived Childhood Neglect and Current Function in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Preliminary Pilot Study. Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings Ziadni, M. S., You, D. S., Sturgeon, J. A., Mackey, S. C., Darnall, B. D. 2020

    Abstract

    Cumulative evidence supports the association between perceived childhood neglect and adulthood psychological and physical health. To date, pathways mediating this association remain largely unknown, though other evidence suggests that negative patterns of appraisal, including injustice perception related to pain, may be shaped by prior adverse social experiences. Consequently, the current study examined perceived injustice about chronic pain as a possible factor connecting childhood neglect and pain-related outcomes, given its relevance for both adaptation to chronic pain and to prior adverse life experiences. Patients (n = 742) visiting a tertiary pain clinic completed a survey administered via the Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry. Path modeling analyses were used to examine perceived injustice as a mediator of the relationships between childhood neglect and affective distress and physical function, after controlling for pain intensity and pain catastrophizing. Patients endorsing childhood neglect reported higher levels of perceived injustice and worse affective distress and physical function. Further, inclusion of perceived injustice as a mediator fully accounted for the relationship between neglect and current levels of physical function, and accounted for a significant proportion of the relationship between neglect and current levels of affective distress. These preliminary findings suggest that perceived injustice appears to be a more proximal factor by which prior experiences of neglect may adversely affect adaptation to chronic pain. Given the single-item assessment of childhood neglect and cross-sectional nature of the current findings, further research may focus on replicating these findings in longitudinal studies with validated measures and examining other adverse social experiences (e.g., abuse, social disparities) that may contribute to injustice perception and poor pain-related outcomes.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s10880-020-09722-8

    View details for PubMedID 32382872

  • Emotions Matter: The Role of Emotional Approach Coping in Chronic Pain. European journal of pain (London, England) Ziadni, M. S., You, D. S., Johnson, L. n., Lumley, M. A., Darnall, B. D. 2020

    Abstract

    Emotional approach coping (EAC) is a potentially adaptive emotion-focused coping style that involves understanding or processing one's emotions and expressing them appropriately. Although EAC has been studied in various populations, little is known about this construct among people with chronic pain, including potential mediators such as negative affect, which might link EAC to pain-related variables, and moderators of these relationships.Participants (N = 670; 76% women; 30% older adults-age 60 or over) with chronic pain completed online the Emotional Approach Coping Scale and measures of pain severity, pain interference, and negative affect. Analyses correlated EAC to pain severity and interference and tested whether gender and age group (older adults vs. young/middle-age adults) moderated the mediated relationships of EAC with pain-related variables through negative affect.Findings reveal that higher EAC was associated with lower pain intensity through lower negative affect in the young/middle-age portion of the sample, but not older adults. Also, higher EAC was associated with lower pain interference through lower negative affect among women in the sample, but not men. The associations of EAC to pain intensity and interference are small in magnitude, however, and should be considered preliminary.EAC is associated with lower pain intensity in young/middle-age adults and lower pain interference in women, and lower negative affect mediates these relationships. These results suggest the potential value of assessing and bolstering emotional approach coping processes in some people with chronic pain.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/ejp.1625

    View details for PubMedID 32603553

  • Evaluation of the Preliminary Validity of Misuse of Prescription Pain Medication Items from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)(R) PAIN MEDICINE You, D., Hah, J. M., Collins, S., Ziadni, M. S., Domingue, B. W., Cook, K. F., Mackey, S. C. 2019; 20 (10): 1925–33

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pnz001

    View details for Web of Science ID 000498052000007

  • Cumulative Childhood Adversity as a Risk Factor for Common Chronic Pain Conditions in Young Adults PAIN MEDICINE You, D. S., Albu, S., Lisenbardt, H., Meagher, M. W. 2019; 20 (3): 486–94

    Abstract

    Multiple and specific types of childhood adverse events are risk factors for chronic pain conditions. Although both can covary, no study has evaluated one aspect while controlling for the other. Therefore, the current study examined whether more adverse events would be a risk factor for common chronic pain conditions and pain medication use in young adults after controlling for different adversity types such as physical, emotional, and sexual traumatic events or vice versa.This cross-sectional study recruited 3,073 undergraduates (72% female, mean age = 18.8 years, SD = 1.4 years) who completed the survey for current health status and early life traumatic events.More adverse events were associated with a 1.2-1.3-fold increase in the odds of any chronic pain, chronic back pain, headache, and dysmenorrhea with adjusting for adversity types, but they were not associated with the risk of comorbid pain conditions and use of pain medications. In contrast, specific adversity types were unrelated to chronic pain conditions when controlling for the number of adverse events.Cumulative childhood adverse events may be a more relevant risk factor for chronic pain conditions than the experience of a specific type of adverse event. Clinicians and researchers need to evaluate cumulative childhood adversity when assessing its link to chronic pain.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pny106

    View details for Web of Science ID 000467966600009

    View details for PubMedID 30011037

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC6387984

  • International Stakeholder Community of Pain Experts and Leaders Call for an Urgent Action on Forced Opioid Tapering PAIN MEDICINE Darnall, B. D., Juurlink, D., Kerns, R. D., Mackey, S., Van Dorsten, B., Humphreys, K., Gonzalez-Sotomayor, J. A., Furlan, A., Gordon, A. J., Gordon, D. B., Hoffman, D. E., Katz, J., Kertesz, S. G., Satel, S., Lawhern, R. A., Nicholson, K. M., Polomano, R. C., Williamson, O. D., McAnally, H., Kao, M., Schug, S., Twillman, R., Lewis, T. A., Stieg, R. L., Lorig, K., Mallick-Searle, T., West, R. W., Gray, S., Ariens, S. R., Potter, J., Cowan, P., Kollas, C. D., Laird, D., Ingle, B., Grove, J., Wilson, M., Lockman, K., Hodson, F., Palackdharry, C. S., Fillingim, R. B., Fudin, J., Barnhouse, J., Manhapra, A., Henson, S. R., Singer, B., Ljosenvoor, M., Griffith, M., Doctor, J. N., Hardin, K., London, C., Mankowski, J., Anderson, A., Ellsworth, L., Budzinski, L., Brandt, B., Hartley, G., Heck, D., Zobrosky, M. J., Cheek, C., Wilson, M., Laux, C. E., Datz, G., Dunaway, J., Schonfeld, E., Cady, M., LeDantec-Boswell, T., Craigie, M., Sturgeon, J., Flood, P., Giummarra, M., Whelan, J., Thorn, B. E., Martin, R. L., Schatman, M. E., Gregory, M. D., Kirz, J., Robinson, P., Marx, J. G., Stewart, J. R., Keck, P. S., Hadland, S. E., Murphy, J. L., Lumley, M. A., Brown, K. S., Leong, M. S., Fillman, M., Broatch, J. W., Perez, A., Watford, K., Kruska, K., You, D., Ogbeide, S., Kukucka, A., Lawson, S., Ray, J. B., Martin, T., Lakehomer, J. B., Burke, A., Cohen, R. I., Grinspoon, P., Rubenstein, M. S., Sutherland, S., Walters, K., Lovejoy, T. 2019; 20 (3): 429–33

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pny228

    View details for Web of Science ID 000467966600003

  • Negative Affect-Related Factors Have the Strongest Association with Prescription Opioid Misuse in a Cross-Sectional Cohort of Patients with Chronic Pain. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) Gilam, G. n., Sturgeon, J. A., You, D. S., Wasan, A. D., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. 2019

    Abstract

    Increased opioid prescription to relieve pain among patients with chronic pain is associated with increased risk for misuse, potentially leading to substance use disorders and overdose death. We aimed to characterize the relative importance and identify the most significant of several potential risk factors for the severity of self-reported prescribed opioid misuse behaviors.A sample of 1,193 patients (mean age ± SD = 50.72 ± 14.97 years, 64.04% female) with various chronic pain conditions completed a multidimensional registry assessing four pain severity measures and 14 physical, mental, and social health status factors using the National Institutes of Health's Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). A validated PROMIS measure of medication misuse was completed by 692 patients who endorsed currently taking opioid medication. Patients taking opioid medications were compared across all measures with those who do not take opioid medications. Subsequently, a data-driven regression analysis was used to determine which measures best explained variability in severity of misuse. We hypothesized that negative affect-related factors, namely anxiety, anger, and/or depression, would be key predictors of misuse severity due to their crucial role in chronic pain and substance use disorders.Patients taking opioid medications had significantly greater impairment across most measures. Above and beyond demographic variables, the only and most significant predictors of prescribed opioid misuse severity were as follows: anxiety (β = 0.15, P = 0.01), anger (β = 0.13, P = 0.02), Pain Intensity-worst (β = 0.09, P = 0.02), and depression (β = 0.13, P = 0.04).Findings suggest that anxiety, anger, and depression are key factors associated with prescribed opioid misuse tendencies in patients with chronic pain and that they are potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pnz249

    View details for PubMedID 31617916

  • Evaluation of Candidate Items for Severe PTSD Screening for Patients with Chronic Pain: Pilot Data Analysis with IRT Approach. Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain You, D. S., Ziadni, M. S., Gilam, G. n., Darnall, B. D., Mackey, S. C. 2019

    Abstract

    Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) commonly co-occurs with chronic pain. Although PTSD symptoms are associated with negative health outcomes in patients with chronic pain, PTSD is typically under-detected and under-treated in outpatient pain settings. There is a need for rapid, brief screening tools to identify those at greatest risk for severe PTSD symptoms. To achieve that goal, our aim was to use item response theory (IRT) to identify the most informative PTSD symptoms characterizing severe PTSD in patients with chronic pain.Fifty-six patients (71% female, 61% White) with mixed etiology chronic pain completed the PTSD Checklist Civilian Version (PCL-C) as part of their appointment with a pain psychologist at a tertiary outpatient pain clinic. We used an IRT approach to evaluate each item's discriminant (a) and severity (b) parameters.Findings revealed that 'feeling upset at reminders' (a = 3.67, b = 2.44) and 'avoid thinking or talking about it' (a = 3.61, b = 2.17) as being highly discriminant for severe PTSD.We identified two candidate items for a brief PTSD screener as they were associated with severe PTSD symptoms. These two items may provide clinical utility in outpatient pain treatment settings to identify those suffering from severe PTSD enabling physicians to refer them to trauma-specific evaluation or therapy. Future research is needed to further validate and confirm these candidate PTSD items in a larger clinic sample.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/papr.12848

    View details for PubMedID 31646748

  • Diagnostic Efficiency of Caregiver Report on the SCARED for Identifying Youth Anxiety Disorders in Outpatient Settings. Journal of clinical child and adolescent psychology : the official journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53 Van Meter, A. R., You, D. S., Halverson, T., Youngstrom, E. A., Birmaher, B., Fristad, M. A., Kowatch, R. A., Storfer-Isser, A., Horwitz, S. M., Frazier, T. W., Arnold, L. E., Findling, R. L., Lams Group, T. 2018; 47 (sup1): S161-S175

    Abstract

    This study investigated the diagnostic and clinical utility of the parent-rated Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED-P) for detecting youth anxiety disorders. Youth ages 6 to 12 years, 11 months were recruited from 9 outpatient mental health clinics (N = 707). Consensus diagnoses were based on semistructured interviews (Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children) with youth and caregivers; 31% were diagnosed with at least one anxiety disorder. Caregivers completed the SCARED-P to describe youth anxiety levels. SCARED-P scores were not considered during the consensus diagnoses. Areas under the curve (AUCs) from receiver operating characteristic analyses and diagnostic likelihood ratios (DLRs) quantified performance of the SCARED-P total score and subscale scores (generalized anxiety disorder and separation anxiety disorder). SCARED-P total scores had variable efficiency (AUCs = .69-.88), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Separation Anxiety subscale scores were excellent (AUCs = .86-.89) for identifying specific anxiety disorders. Optimal subscale cutoff scores were computed to help rule in (DLRs = 2.7-5.4) or rule out (DLRs < 1.0) anxiety disorders among youth. Results suggest that the Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Separation Anxiety SCARED-P subscales accurately identify their respective matched diagnoses. DLRs may aid clinicians in screening for youth anxiety disorders and improve accuracy of diagnosis.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/15374416.2016.1188698

    View details for PubMedID 27485325

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5729056

  • Is it Too Soon to Meet? Examining Differences in Geosocial Networking App Use and Sexual Risk Behavior of Emerging Adults SEXUALITY AND CULTURE Hahn, H. A., You, D. S., Sferra, M., Hubbard, M., Thamotharan, S., Fields, S. A. 2018; 22 (1): 1–21
  • CARE Scale - 7: Development and preliminary validation of a measure assessing factors that impact self-care in chronic pain Clin J Pain Ziadni, M., You, S., Wilson, A., Darnall, B. 2018; March
  • Childhood adversity and pain facilitation Psychosomatic Medicine You, D. S., Meagher, M. W. 2018; 80 (9): 869-879
  • Generalized Pain Sensitization and Endogenous Oxytocin in Individuals With Symptoms of Migraine: A Cross-Sectional Study HEADACHE You, D. S., Haney, R., Albu, S., Meagher, M. W. 2018; 58 (1): 62–77

    Abstract

    The current study examined pain and neurogenic inflammation responses to topical capsaicin during the interictal period (between headache) and their relationship with plasma oxytocin in individuals with migraine.Individuals with migraine can experience generalized (extracephalic) hyperalgesia, which can persist even between headache attacks. Elevated levels of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid oxytocin have been observed during migraine attacks, oxytocin levels being positively associated with the intensity of migraine symptoms. However, whether oxytocin plays a role in the mechanisms of generalized pain sensitization and neurogenic inflammation during the interictal period has not been studied yet. Understanding migraineurs' interictal pain phenotype and endogenous oxytocin might help identify individuals who would benefit from intranasal oxytocin treatment.Thirty-two subjects with migraine and 26 healthy controls underwent pain testing. The current study compared capsaicin-induced pain, central sensitization (areas of secondary mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia), and neurogenic inflammation (capsaicin-induced flare) responses on the nondominant volar forearm between migraineurs and healthy controls. Additionally, we studied plasma oxytocin levels and their relationship to migraine symptoms, experimental pain and affect.The results indicated a significant group effect (P = .019): Migraineurs reported greater capsaicin-induced pain unpleasantness (M = 1.2, SD = 1.4) on a 0-10 scale and showed larger areas of flare (LnM = 2.8, SD = 0.4) than healthy controls (M = 0.5, SD = 0.8; LnM = 2.6, SD = 0.4; ps < .032). In a subgroup analysis, enhanced capsaicin-induced pain unpleasantness was found in the chronic (P = .007), but not the episodic (Ps > .200), migraineurs. The oxytocin levels were elevated in migraineurs and accounted for 18% of the group difference in capsaicin-induced pain unpleasantness. Within migraineurs, interictal oxytocin levels were negatively associated with psychological distress (Ps < .030). However, during the interictal period, pain sensitivity in extracephalic regions and plasma oxytocin levels were unrelated to migraine symptom parameters (Ps > .074). Lastly, the results found no group difference in areas of secondary mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia (Ps >.298).The current study revealed that individuals with migraine exhibit enhanced extracephalic capsaicin-induced pain unpleasantness and flare responses during interictal periods. In addition, migraineurs, especially those with chronic migraine, had slightly elevated interictal oxytocin levels compared to controls, which was associated with their affective component of experimental pain. Therefore, treatment targeting affective pain during the interictal period may help to reduce generalized pain in migraine. Furthermore, endogenous increases in oxytocin may be a compensatory mechanism that may help decrease affective distress in migraineurs. The therapeutic effects of intranasal oxytocin may benefit migraineurs by reducing their affective distress.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/head.13213

    View details for Web of Science ID 000419067600006

    View details for PubMedID 29094347

  • Association between borderline personality traits and temporal summation of second pain Behavioral Medicine You, D. S., Meagher, M. W. 2017; 43 (3): 208-217
  • Enhanced Area of Secondary Hyperalgesia in Women with Multiple Stressful Life Events: A Pilot Study. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) You, D. S., Creech, S. K., Meagher, M. W. 2016; 17 (10): 1859-1864

    Abstract

    Stressful life events are associated with increased pain severity and chronicity. However, the mechanism underlying this association remains disputed. Recent animal studies suggest that chronic stress increases pain sensitivity and persistence by enhancing peripheral and central sensitization mechanisms. To test this hypothesis in humans, the authors examined whether sensitization is enhanced in healthy women reporting more stressful life events using the topical capsaicin test.Thirty-two healthy young women reporting varying levels of stressful life events were invited for laboratory pain testing. Capsaicin was applied topically to the volar forearm. Measurements included capsaicin-induced spontaneous pain and area of secondary hyperalgesia in the region surrounding capsaicin application. Physiological (heart rate and skin conductance) and self-reported affective (emotional valence and arousal) states were also measured.The results indicate that more stressful life events predicted a linear increase in the area of secondary hyperalgesia (β = 0.40, p = 0.023, R2 = 0.16), but not the intensity of secondary hyperalgesia nor capsaicin-induced spontaneous pain. These findings suggest that life stressors may be associated with heightened central sensitization manifested by an increased area of secondary hyperalgesia. Additionally, life stressors were related to greater sympathetic cardiac, but not to affective responses to capsaicin-induced pain.This study shows that women reporting more stressful life events show a larger area of secondary mechanical hyperalgesia. These preliminary findings suggest that life stressors may facilitate pain processing by enhancing central sensitization.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/pm/pnw049

    View details for PubMedID 27056957

  • Comparing the Diagnostic Accuracy of Five Instruments for Detecting Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Youth. Journal of clinical child and adolescent psychology : the official journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53 You, D. S., Youngstrom, E. A., Feeny, N. C., Youngstrom, J. K., Findling, R. L. 2015; 46 (4): 511-522

    Abstract

    The purpose of the study was to compare diagnostic accuracy of five posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) measures in a large outpatient sample of youths 11-18 years of age. Index tests included a parent report (a rationally derived scale from the Child Behavioral Checklist), a teacher report (the Teacher Report Form), and three youth reports-a PTSD scale from the Youth Self Report (YSR), Child PTSD Symptom Scale, and Child and Adolescent Trauma Survey. Interviews with the youth and caregiver using Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children generated criterion diagnoses of PTSD. Diagnoses were blind to scores on the index tests. Based on consensus diagnoses (N = 458), 10% of youth had PTSD. Area under the curve (AUC) from receiver operating characteristic analyses and multilevel likelihood ratios evaluated test performance. All youth reports (AUCs .67-.73) outperformed the teacher report (AUCs .42-.48) at identifying PTSD. The YSR outperformed the caregiver reports (AUCs .57-.58). Combining tests did not improve prediction of PTSD. The YSR predicted PTSD even after controlling for a self-reported traumatic event, but checklist ratings of traumatic events had no incremental value after controlling for YSR scores. When a youth endorsed few symptoms, the likelihood of the youth having PTSD was low. Very high scores on the YSR were associated with a moderate increase in the likelihood of PTSD diagnosis. The YSR appeared to be a useful diagnostic aid for youth PTSD and could facilitate differential diagnosis of youth PTSD in outpatient settings.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/15374416.2015.1030754

    View details for PubMedID 25946667

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4703561

  • Effect of written emotional disclosure on secondary hyperalgesia in women with trauma history. Psychosomatic medicine You, D. S., Creech, S. K., Vichaya, E. G., Young, E. E., Smith, J. S., Meagher, M. W. 2014; 76 (5): 337-46

    Abstract

    This study investigated the effects of written emotional disclosure on a model of chronic pain in healthy women with and without trauma history.Participants were prescreened for their trauma history (N = 78) and randomized to a disclosure or a control writing condition. Pain testing occurred either 1 day or 1 month after disclosure. Capsaicin was applied to the forearm to evoke spontaneous burning pain at the application site and mechanical secondary hyperalgesia in the surrounding untreated skin.As hypothesized, the effect of disclosure on the area and intensity of secondary hyperalgesia depended on trauma history and time of testing (F(1,69) ≥ 7.37, p = .008). Disclosure increased secondary hyperalgesia in participants with trauma history compared with those without trauma when testing occurred 1 day after writing (F(1,69) ≥ 5.27, p ≤ .025), whereas the opposite pattern was observed 1 month later (F(1,69) ≥ 4.88, p ≤ .031). Of the participants with trauma history in the disclosure condition, secondary hyperalgesia was reduced at 1 month compared with 1 day after writing (p = .001). Moreover, greater use of positive emotional words predicted reduced secondary hyperalgesia at 1 month (β = -0.71, p = .022). In contrast, disclosure had no effect on spontaneous pain.Disclosure modulates secondary hyperalgesia observed in women with trauma history, producing a short-term enhancement and a long-term reduction. This suggests that disclosure has a long-term protective effect that reduces sensitization of pain, which may explain the therapeutic effects of disclosure in patients with chronic pain.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000064

    View details for PubMedID 24911979