Relevant Articles
Results of Research Project conducted by
Dr. H.C. Philips, Registered Psychologist
Back in Motion hosted a research project conducted by
Dr. H.C. Philips in the winter of 2007 and early months of 2008. 107 of our clients volunteered to participate, spending 15–20 minutes discussing their pain experience with Dr. Philips in a structured interview. They came from our OR1, OR2 and CAR programs with slightly more men than women. Their participation was anonymous—each person adding his or her data to the total collected and currently being analyzed.
Although psychologists have researched many aspects
of chronic pain experience, there is a remarkable absence of information about images, or “picture” thoughts, that often accompany pain. This research has clarified many important characteristics of these intrusive images and their effects.
It turns out that images or visualized thoughts are very common, multiple, and frequent occurrences for 85% of people coping with chronic pain. They are short-lived (seconds in duration) and remarkably stable in content. These images are triggered by pain experience and emotions (including low mood). The effects of their occurrence are many. The two major consequences are their power to increase distress in the individual, as well as to increase pain levels. These effects will need further research, as they have important implications for chronic pain treatment.
In Dr. Philip’s study, some people showed remarkable resilience, using various quite potent methods to reduce the impact of these distressing images. These methods may well be useful for others in dealing with chronic pain problems.
Thank you to all of you who participated in this investigation. Back in Motion encourages research,
as we are constantly working to increase our ability to help persons with pain to regain full and productive lives.
