Can Managing Emotions Reduce Chronic Pain? Study Finds Out - Video

A new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open has shown that enhancing one's ability to manage emotions can significantly reduce chronic pain and improve mental health. The six-month trial, led by researchers from the University of New South Wales and Neuroscience Research Australia, found that behaviour therapy targeting emotional regulation led to sustained pain relief and reduced

depression symptoms.

Chronic pain, defined as persistent pain lasting more than three months after an injury has healed, affects roughly one-third of the global population.

In the trial, 90 participants with chronic pain engaged in eight online group therapy sessions designed to help them manage their emotions more effectively. The therapy focused on reducing negative emotions like anger and anxiety while enhancing positive feelings. Participants also used a handbook and a mobile app for self-guided learning.

The researchers found those who received the therapy reported significant improvements in emotion regulation, which corresponded with reduced pain intensity and better mental health outcomes. Notably, the study found a sustained reduction in depression symptoms and a clinically meaningful drop in reported pain levels over six months.

Lead author Sylvia Gustin, a psychologist and director of the NeuroRecovery Research Hub at UNSW, explained that the brain’s emotional circuitry is disrupted by chronic pain, often leading to poor emotional regulation. “By changing how we manage emotions, it is possible to change the experience of pain itself” she said. “This is not just a temporary relief but a potential long-term improvement in quality of life for those affected by chronic pain.”

The study underscores the importance of addressing emotional health as a core part of chronic pain treatment. With up to 40% of chronic pain sufferers also experiencing anxiety or depression, integrating emotional regulation therapy could mark a transformative step in pain management.

Reference: Norman-Nott N, Briggs NE, Hesam-Shariati N, et al. Online Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Emotion Dysregulation in People With Chronic Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(5):e256908. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.6908