Helpful links to build your understanding of the relationship between pain and attention
Hey there! It's often helpful to consult a variety of sources when learning something new, so here's a few helpful links that explain the relationship between pain and attention. Do you want to read something informal, watch a nice video or dive into the science? You've come to the right place: There's something for everyone
Video: Jon Kabat-Zinn explains how mindfulness can help with chronic pain
Video: On how meditation (controlling attention) can relieve chronic pain and stress
Video: Kelly McGonigal explains how mindfulness can relieve physical pain
Blog: Mindfulness For Chronic Pain: A Comprehensive Guide
Blog: Why we feel less pain when we are distracted
Scientific: Veehof, M. M., Trompetter, H. R., Bohlmeijer, E. T., & Schreurs, K. M. G. (2016). Acceptance-and mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of chronic pain: a meta-analytic review. Cognitive behaviour therapy, 45(1), 5-31.
Scientific: Hilton, L., Hempel, S., Ewing, B. A., Apaydin, E., Xenakis, L., Newberry, S., ... & Maglione, M. A. (2017). Mindfulness meditation for chronic pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 51(2), 199-213.
Scientific: Khoo, E. L., Small, R., Cheng, W., Hatchard, T., Glynn, B., Rice, D. B., ... & Poulin, P. A. (2019). Comparative evaluation of group-based mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment and management of chronic pain: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 22(1), 26-35.
Scientific: Lance M. McCracken, “Attention” to pain in persons with chronic pain: A behavioral approach, Behavior Therapy, Volume 28, Issue 2, 1997, Pages 271-284,