• Emotional regulation therapy leads to significant reduction in chronic pain intensity and improved quality of life, with benefits lasting up to six months.
• The therapy, delivered online, enhances the brain's capacity for emotional processing, addressing a previously under-addressed aspect of chronic pain management.
• The accessible, scalable nature of the online intervention offers potential for widespread adoption, particularly in remote areas with limited healthcare access.

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) reveals that targeting emotional processing through a novel online therapy, Pain and Emotion Therapy, can significantly reduce chronic pain. The therapy focuses on retraining the brain to manage emotions more effectively, leading to decreased pain intensity, improved emotional regulation, and enhanced daily functioning. The trial, involving 89 participants with chronic pain, highlights the importance of addressing emotional dysregulation as a key factor in chronic pain management, offering a new, holistic approach to treatment.

• What: A randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of Pain and Emotion Therapy, an online intervention designed to improve emotional regulation in individuals with chronic pain. The therapy includes mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance skills.
• Who: The study was led by Professor Sylvia Gustin and Dr. Nell Norman-Nott from UNSW Sydney and NeuRA. Participants included 89 adults with chronic pain across Australia.
• When: The trial took place from March 2023 to September 2024. Results were published in JAMA Network Open on May 7th 2025.
• Where: The online therapy was accessible across Australia, including remote and regional locations.

The study provides compelling evidence for the efficacy of emotional regulation therapy in managing chronic pain. By addressing the emotional component of chronic pain, the therapy offers a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional medical treatments. The online delivery of the therapy makes it accessible to a wider population, particularly those in remote areas with limited access to healthcare. The researchers highlight the importance of understanding and treating emotional dysregulation in chronic pain patients, potentially transforming future treatment approaches.

By changing how we manage emotions, it is possible to change the experience of pain itself. This is not just a temporary relief but a potential long-term improvement in quality of life for those affected by chronic pain.

Chronic pain is more than a sensory experience, it’s incredibly emotional. We see increased levels of anxiety and depression in up to about 80 per cent of people with chronic pain.

It’s not just [that] my experience of the pain is less, but I’m also able to do more. Now I’m going out and I’m playing pickleball, I’m doing more strengthening exercises, and I’m going to the gym because I don’t have to spiral down out of control and be depressed about my pain.

The research strongly suggests that emotional regulation therapy offers a promising new avenue for managing chronic pain. The online therapy's accessibility and focus on emotional processing could significantly improve the quality of life for chronic pain sufferers. Future research, including a larger clinical trial planned for 2026, will further validate these findings and potentially pave the way for widespread adoption of this holistic treatment approach.