Pain, social influences and cognitive control
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How can we explain impairments in executive functioning? The role of chronic pain and social context during adolescence
IRAS ID
263824
Contact name
Line Caes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 31 days
Research summary
“Cognitive control, or executive functioning, is the capacity of a person to coordinate their thoughts and behaviours, which is relevant for skills such as planning and concentrating. Hence, an optimal level of cognitive control is crucial to lead an independent life. A high level of cognitive control is essential for individuals with chronic pain as it facilitates successful self-management of chronic pain and thus
contributes to a good quality of life. Despite the importance of cognitive control for chronic pain self-management, research in adults reveals that cognitive control might be reduced in individuals with chronic pain. However, little is known on how this association between reduced cognitive control and chronic pain experiences develops in young people. There is a critical need to understand which aspects of cognitive control are influenced by chronic pain. The project will conduct a pilot study to compare the association between cognitive control, chronic pain and social
environment in 20 young people (12-21 years) with chronic pain to 20 young people without chronic pain. Cognitive control, pain experiences and social influences will be assessed using neuropsychological tests, self-report, observational assessment and
a 2-week diary. The neuropsychological tests, self-report, and observational assessments will take place during 1 single home visit of 90 minutes. The diary will be completed online daily for 2 weeks following this home visit. The findings will be a first step in improving our understanding of how chronic pain influences the development of cognitive control skills in young people and how this influence is different depending on the social environment of the young person. The findings will promote further research in this area to help us identify young people with chronic pain who are at risk for low quality of life and how to better support these at-risk young people.”REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
19/SS/0085
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion