The painful symptoms associated with osteoarthritis follow a recognisable pattern including stiffness after prolonged postures and increased pain after movement of arthritic joints. The mechanisms that produce this pattern of pain are yet to be elucidated. This project is employing emerging theories and models of nociception to explore the pain behaviours of patients with osteoarthritis. Achieving an understanding of these fundamental issues may have implications for more effective and rational management of pain in osteoarthritis. Coping with chronic pain.
Chronic pain has a major impact on the emotional and physical health of an individual.
The methods by which people cope with pain and beliefs about factors which contribute to the pain experience are thought to be important in determining the extent of suffering. In collaboration with Caulfield General Hospital Pain Clinic, the NARI Pain Clinic has commenced a study of the relationship between coping style and the consequent level of emotional and functional disturbance in adults aged 20-100 years. This three year study has been funded by a research grant to Dr Stephen Gibson and Professor Robert Helme from the National Health and Medical Research Council. Many treatments for pain can be invasive, inconvenient and often result in unwanted side effects, particularly in older persons. NARI is currently undertaking a series of studies to investigate the properties underlying effective TENS use in order to improve the therapeutic application of this technique.