COVID-19 and chronic pain: Implications and lessons learned

Kai Karos*, Claire E. Ashton-James, Joanna McParland, Adam T. Hirsh

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted people with chronic pain, affecting their access to pain management services and the social fabric of society. Here we review evidence indicating that during and since the pandemic (1) the overall prevalence and burden of chronic pain has increased, (2) social threats such as social isolation, abuse and neglect, and disparities in access to pain management, have increased, and these changes are associated with worsening pain and pain-related health outcomes, and (3) there has been a surge in research into telehealth interventions for chronic pain, with promising results. We conclude with a discussion of lessons that may guide future research and care for people with chronic pain in a post-COVID world.
Original languageEnglish
Article number101985
JournalCurrent Opinion in Psychology
Volume62
Early online date28 Dec 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2025

Keywords

  • Chronic pain
  • Disparities
  • Loneliness
  • Pandemic
  • Social threat
  • Telehealth

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