title: Treatment of persistent pain from torture: review and commentary.
abstract: Torture and the conditions under which it is inflicted often leave persistent painful disorders. Because there may be no lasting signs, persistent pain is often misconceived as a somatic representation of psychological distress, also common after torture. This serious failure to understand the nature of persistent pain means that pain is largely overlooked and untreated in torture survivors. We carried out a systematic review on treatments for pain from torture, but found few studies and little use of current understanding and evidence. We discuss this in the context of treating pain associated with psychological distress and of the broader problems faced by the refugee and torture survivor that may take priority over pain. We propose clinical and research implications for this neglected field.
authors.affiliation: a Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology , University College London , London , UK.
authors.forename: Amanda C de C
authors.initials: ACC
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: b Videncenter for Reumatologi og Rygsygdomme , University Hospital of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.
authors.forename: Kirstine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Amris
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012036:Refugees; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; D017741:Survivors; D014104:Torture
keywords: Chronic pain; PTSD; human rights; pain assessment; rehabilitation