Abstract:

Insula and amygdala are crucial neural network center for the formulation of fear of pain (FOP). FOP exacerbates pain perceptual experiences in patients with chronic pain, and then enhances their depression, anxiety and functional disability. Insular, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex are crucial neural substrates for the impact of FOP on pain perception. Reducing FOP by using cognitive intervention therapies can effectively decrease pain experience in patients with chronic pain, and improve their depression, anxiety problems, and daily function. Future studies should develop new measurement tools to assess FOP, and furthermore to reveal the neural mechanisms about the impact of FOP on pain perception in patients with chronic pain by using the functional magnetic resonance imaging technology.

Key words: fear of pain, chronic pain, pain perception, amygdala, insular