Gosh for many of us the winter chill has really set in. We have got you covered with some great reading, so settle back, put your feet up and check out some amazing content to toast and warm up the cockles of your heart. Plus - great news, the dates for the next APS 2026 conference have been released. Yay Adelaide here we come, note to self - hmmm wineries and good food.
As a starter, get ready for Bernadette Smith, our APS President when she shares her reflections on the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Pain Societies (ASEAPS) Congress 2025.
We then move onto the APS 2025 post event wrap up, with a hit list of who presented the best of the best. We reveal who presented the best paper, rapid communication, poster and pay tribute to distinguished member Trudy Maunsell.
While the rain and sleet are tapping against the window, warm up by reading about how on gaining the APS travel grant, recipients were able to present their work and how painSTAR attendees gained networking and mentorship opportunities.
Finally, bust out the hot chocolate and marshmallows while catching up on the journal watch review from our Pain in Childhood Special Interest Group (SIG). We also have some new published articles by our APS members in this newsletter. It is such a fabulous opportunity to be able to communicate on recent publications by our members, and our readers are asked to please be mindful to share their articles as they come to hand as well.
Check out our FYI section as well.
Stay warm and keep sharing your stories,
Until next time, take care,
Dr Joanne Harmon
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A Reflection on the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Pain Societies Congress [ASEAPS] 2025
By Bernadette Smith, APS President
The sun was certainly shining on Singapore — and so was the spirit of regional collaboration — as the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Pain Societies (ASEAPS) Congress took place from 2–4 May 2025. Hosted by the Pain Association of Singapore under the leadership of ASEAPS President Dr Ong Say Yang, with support from peer societies across Southeast Asia, this year’s congress was nothing short of exceptional.
With the theme “From Pain to Empowerment,” the congress brought together clinicians, researchers, and allied health professionals from across the region for a dynamic program of knowledge sharing and practical exchange. Under the guidance of Scientific Chair Dr Prit Anand Singh and Co-Chair Dr Poonam Pal, the scientific content was engaging, multidisciplinary, and innovative.
The Australian Pain Society (APS) was proudly represented throughout the program. Highlights included:
• Professor Michael Nicholas presenting on the Online Pain Education Network (OPEN) Project
• Professor Fiona Blyth AM speaking on pain across the lifespan
Their contributions stood out in a stellar line-up of international speakers, including International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) President, Professor Andrew Rice, IASP President-Elect, Dr Mary Cardosa, Professor Jo Nijs and Dr Mark Jensen to name a few.
The APS’s continued support of initiatives like the ASEAPS Best Poster Prize and Pain Camp reflects our deep and enduring commitment to regional capacity building — a legacy initiated by past APS Presidents including Dr Tim Semple, and Dr Roger Goucke and it is one we are proud to continue.
A particular highlight for me was having the privilege to present the ASEAPS Best Poster Award, this has been proudly supported by the Australian Pain Society with our special prize since 2013. The award this year went to Ganes Insina Aghnia for the poster “Turning tears into smiles: transforming pediatric needle pain management in Indonesia.” Ganes’s passion was unmistakable, and their excitement about attending a future APS Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) was contagious! They are especially looking forward to connecting with APS members and, perhaps most charmingly, seeing a kangaroo!
L to R: Bernadette with Mary Cardosa and Andrew Rice
L to R: Dulce and Emily, sponsored Pain Camp participants
L to R: Bernadette with Ganes Insina Aghnia
APS was also proud to support the ASEAPS Pain Camp for a second time by co-sponsoring participants: Chantal from Papua New Guinea (not pictured), and Dulce from Timor L’Este. Another third participant, Emily from Fiji, was co-sponsored by the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA).
The Pain Camp is a multidisciplinary, multiprofessional educational initiative aimed at developing the next generation of pain researchers and clinicians from low-resource settings. The ASEAPS Pain Camp has been very useful in expanding the introductory pain education program, Essential Pain Management (EPM), developed by past APS President Dr Roger Goucke. EPM has been promoted over the last 10 years by both Dr Goucke and Dr Mary Cardosa, from Malaysia, throughout SE Asia and across the Pacific.
I was also honoured to deliver the Australian Pain Society President Lecture, titled “painACT: Building Capacity for The Silver Generation.” The session was warmly received, with significant interest in the program’s potential application across aged care settings. Notably, IASP President Professor Andrew Rice generously offered IASP’s support in disseminating the program more broadly, and our colleagues in Singapore expressed keen interest in exploring the program further. These moments reinforced the international relevance and reach of the work being done by APS collaborative projects.
A heartfelt thank you to our Singaporean hosts for their warm hospitality and the spirit of collegiality that infused every moment of the congress. The unity, generosity, and shared vision were truly energising.
We now look ahead with great anticipation to 2027 for the next ASEAPS Congress in Surabaya, Indonesia, and to welcoming Ganes Insina Aghnia, and many more regional colleagues to Australia in the years to come.
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ASEAPS Pain Camp 2025 group
Post-Conference Review of the Australian Pain Society's 45th Annual Scientific Meeting
By Jason Ivanusic and Nik Veldhuis, Co-Convenors of the Local Organising Committee.
The 45th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Pain Society (APS) was held in April at the Pullman Melbourne Albert Park, nestled beside the scenic Albert Park Lake in Melbourne. With a sold-out crowd of over 760 registrants, this year’s meeting was a resounding success— featuring a diverse and dynamic scientific program, a vibrant social calendar, and even perfect weather!
The meeting started with a buzz on Sunday morning, as delegates arrived early to connect with the broad multidisciplinary offerings of the preconference workshops. For many delegates, it was a full and engaging day that rolled seamlessly into the Welcome Reception – a room filled with many smiles as familiar faces reconnected. The evening continued with the Basic Pain Research (BPR) and Pain in Childhood (PinC) Special Interest Group (SIG) Dinner, setting the tone for a collegial and engaging week.
The opening session was marked by the distinguished presence of International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) President Professor Andrew Rice, who joined new APS President, Mrs Bernadette Smith to officially launch the meeting. Dr Tie Parma Yamato and Dr Saurab Sharma then
shared the stage to deliver the IASP Global Year Lecture, sharing vital insights into pain management, research and education in low resource settings. Our international keynote speakersProfessors Andrew Rice, Tamar Pincus and David Bennett – were standout contributors to the scientific program. Their passion, knowledge and generosity of spirit over the course of the meeting were matched by their thought-provoking presentations and groundbreaking research. Professor Pincus delivered two compelling lectures on the emotional dimensions of living with pain and the transformative power of patient validation. Professor Bennett’s Sunderland Lecture showcased the value of a multidisciplinary approach to neuropathic pain, followed by a plenary showing the promise of utilising human genetics to develop ion channel-targeted analgesics. Professor Rice’s contributions were outstanding and spanned several
Welcome Reception: Prof Mychasiuk
L to R: Dr Tie Yamato, Prof Andrew Rice, Dr Saurab Sharma and Prof Tamar Pincus
Prof Andrew Rice
Prof David Bennett
sessions beyond the Welcome presentation, including a plenary on pain management for neglected infections, and a topical session talk on the clinical relevance of preclinical pain models.
Our national speakers added further depth and delivered world class presentations that highlighted cutting-edge research and clinical innovation in disciplines across the pain field. The Psychedelics in Pain plenary sparked lively discussions, while Dr Ebonie Rio’s Tess Cramond Lecture — featuring an unexpected cameo
from Snoop Dogg — was both entertaining and enlightening. Professor Anne Burke’s Bonica Lecture on advocacy in pain management was another standout.
The APS Distinguished Member Award this year was bestowed upon Ms Trudy Maunsell, RN, RM, NUM Cert, BHealthMgmt, MScMed (Pain Management), in recognition of her tireless behind-the-scenes contributions and steadfast support of the APS community.
Prof Anne Burke
L to R: Mrs Bernadette Smith, Ms Trudy Maunsell & Prof Anne Burke
Dr Caitlin Jones
It was wonderful recognition of her extensive experience, generosity of spirit and years of support – always done with a smile or a timely joke.
The stellar offerings of workshops and plenaries were supported by equally thoughtful and innovative topical sessions and free papers, and many enthusiastic poster presentations. As always, it was amazing to see the diversity in the ways in which we all engage in pain research.
Congratulations also to our award winners - all our awardees did a fantastic job in enthusiastically communicating their work and reminded us that the future of the pain research and the APS is bright:
APS Rising Star:
Dr Caitlin Jones, ‘Re-Examining the Role of Opioids in Musculoskeletal Pain’
Best Free Paper:
Mr Michael Ferraro, ‘Ketamine for Chronic Pain: A Cochrane Review’
Best Rapid Communication Award:
Ms Meredith Smith, ‘Adaptation of two pain assessment tools for children and young people with cerebral palsy: A multi-stakeholder consensus study’
Best Poster (tie):
Dr Jason Chua, ‘What informs the choices young people living with chronic musculoskeletal pain make about their pain care? A qualitative analysis of focus groups with young Australians’
Miss Elaina Vlassopoulos, ‘Using a Rodent Model of Combat Trauma-Induced PTSD to Study the Intergenerational Transmission of Paternal Trauma to Risk for Pain in Offspring’
Cops For Kids Clinical Research Grant #7:
Dr Nicole Pope, ‘Virtual Reality in Paediatric Chronic Pain Rehabilitation: A Multi-site Pilot Feasibility Study’
The social program was equally memorable. From SIG dinners to the sold out ‘Meet the Minds Q&A and Networking’ session, and nightly gatherings at the local, Windsor Alehouse, there were numerous opportunities to connect. The new ASTEROID run club, led by Claire Samanna and Chris Neason, offered a refreshing, fitness-focused start to each day before using our brains while (over) indulging in coffee and catering. And of course, the conference dinner at Carousel on Albert Park Lake was a showstopper - complete with stunning views, delicious food and a singing DJ, which was only outdone by the fashion and moves on the dancefloor.
Dr Nicole Pope L to R: Prof Kevin Keay and Michael Ferraro
L to R: Prof Keay and Elaina Vlassopoulos
L to R: Prof Keay and Meredith Smith
A heartfelt thank you to the Scientific Program Committee and Chair Professor Kevin Keay, whose energy and enthusiasm never wanes. Thanks to the other Local Organising Committee members - Professor Richelle Mychasiuk and Associate Professors Wendy Imlach and Natalia Egorova-Brumley - whose dedication and local insights were greatly appreciated. Special thanks also to Conference Manager Alex Robertson, the APS Secretariat team (Tracy Hallen & Kylie Dark), and the outstanding crew at DC Conference & Association Management (DCC&A). Their tireless work ensured that all ran smoothly and looked effortless.
To all delegates, presenters, and the wider pain community who joined us in Melbourne for the 45th APS Annual Scientific Meeting – thank you for making this year’s meeting unforgettable. We look forward to seeing you next year in Adelaide!
Australian Pain Society Presidents Past and Present
L to R: Prof Anne Burke SA - Past President 2019-20 inclusive; Mrs Bernadette Smith TAS – Current President 2025-26 inclusive; Dr Carolyn Arnold VIC - Past President 2003-05 inclusive; Dr Tim Semple SA - Past President 2011-12 inclusive; Ms Trudy Maunsell
QLD – Past President 2021-22 inclusive; Mrs Joyce McSwan QLD – Immediate Past President 2023-24 inclusive; Ms Fiona Hodson NSW – Past President 2017-18 inclusive
IASP Global Year Lecture: Pain Management, Research,
and Education
for the Global Majority
2025 Global Year
Pain Management, Research and Education in Low - and Middle -Income Settings
For more information
Australian Pain Society www.apsoc.org.au
New Zealand Pain Society www.nzps.org.nz
Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists www.fpm.anzca.edu.au
International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) www.iasp-pain.org
The following is a summary from the 45th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the Australian Pain Society (APS), which took place in Melbourne from April 13-16, 2025. Since 2019, the ASM has featured a named plenary lecture drawing inspiration from the International Association for the Study of Pain’s (IASP) Global Year Against Pain, an advocacy effort to raise awareness of pain. The IASP chose 2025 to be the Global Year for Pain Management, Research, and Education in Low- and Middle-Income Settings.
University of Sydney, and Dr Saurab Sharma, the chief clinical research scientist at the Michael J Cousins Pain Management Centre at Royal North Shore Hospital, were given the honour of delivering the named lecture in 2025. The pair shared insights from their careers on how pain management, research, and education can be advanced in low-resource settings.
Dr Sharma started the lecture by explaining the rationale for the changes in language, where references to low- and middle-income countries has been replaced with low- and middle-income settings. While
including – but not limited to – culturally diverse communities, First Nations people, refugees, and people living in rural and remote settings.
Focusing on a broader definition is critical, according to Dr Sharma, due to the increasingly disproportionate burden of pain in low- and middle-income settings.
“Only 5% of all clinical trials that are published on the area of global health are coming from lowand middle-income settings, which hold 85% of the world’s population. Similarly, there is exclusion of cultural diversity, with only around 1% of all clinical trials in Australia focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, he said.
“Furthermore, clinical research and trials often exclude culturally diverse individuals, which means that most of the treatments we have
don’t really apply to these individuals. But most importantly, for many of the low- and middleincome countries, there aren’t any policy documents for musculoskeletal or other chronic pain conditions. So, the clinicians there remain unguided on how to treat people with pain in their country and context.”
Many of the barriers to undertaking research in low- and middle-income settings relate to research not being a priority due to other pressing issues (e.g., famine, war, etc.). Having research sit lower on the priority list means there is less funding available to support a researchspecific workforce and fewer opportunities to teach health professionals about research. Language is also a big sticking point, as reliable and validated tools in local languages are few and far between.
To highlight some of these issues, Dr Sharma walked attendees through some of the work he undertook about setting pain research priorities in Nepal, his home country.
After conducting a systematic scoping review into the state of clinical pain research in Nepal where research gaps were identified and prioritised, the first area of focus was pain assessment. This work involved testing four commonly used pain scales to determine which were more preferred and more accurate.
“Surprisingly for you, but not for us, the numerical rating scale was least preferred while the FACES rating scale was most preferred. Furthermore, the numerical rating scale and the visual analogue scale were associated with the most error,” Dr Sharma said.
Dr Sharma and his collaborators used these findings to guide the translation and validation of several tools to assess pain, function, and quality of life for people living with pain before using these in the next two priority areas: treatment and high-quality epidemiological studies.
The team developed educational resources for people with back pain and other pain-related conditions, which were based on a strong curriculum that also contained local patient stories, metaphors, and original artwork. This approach was later adapted to three different language groups in India, meaning the resources could be used by over 800 million people.
The final area, high-quality epidemiological studies, involved a lot of leg work as Dr Sharma and the team completed a census in a village from the rural, mountainous regions of Nepal. Their census showed one in two people experience chronic pain.
“We were also lucky enough to squeeze in one question around low back pain in the National Health Survey of Nepal, and we found that activity- or work-limiting back pain was present in one in four people, which is quite a massive burden.”
Dr Sharma has recently received funding from the NHMRC to co-design and test culturally appropriate treatments for five different culturally and linguistically diverse populations in Australia. He hopes that the interventions that come from this work can lead to future research partnerships in countries such as Vietnam and China.
Dr Yamato’s part of the presentation related to her work undertaking pain research in Brazil. Despite its population of over 200 million people, the country faces several social and health challenges.
“About 6% [of the population] are unemployed, which is roughly the combined population of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Nearly 13% of Brazilians – more than the entire population of Australia – live in rural areas, and a significant number of adults have not completed primary school,” Dr Yamato said.
“Over 160 million Brazilians do not have private health insurance, and yet 80% of the doctors work in the private sector. This means that just 20% of the country’s doctors are responsible for caring for 75% of the population.”
Like Dr Sharma, Dr Yamato started by setting a simple research priority – a cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of disabling musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents. The study of nearly 3,000 participants found 27% of children and adolescents had experienced disabling musculoskeletal pain in the past month. This initial work led to a subsequent study estimating the costs of musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents over the course of a year.
“The annual societal costs per child was around $177, which represents three percent of the minimum wage in Brazil.”
Some of Dr Yamato’s more recent work – the KITE and the BRINCA cohort studies, both of which are currently under review – have attempted to develop the first models to predict the onset of and recovery from musculoskeletal pain in children.
The first cohort study saw Dr Yamato and her colleagues follow nearly 2,000 children who were pain-free at baseline for a period of 18 months. The incidence of musculoskeletal pain at 18 month was 22%, and the associated predictive model showed good specificity but low sensitivity.
The second study was similar, but here the researchers followed nearly 700 children with pain at baseline for 18 months to determine predictors of recovery. While the majority of patients (86%) recovered over the follow-up period, the recurrence rate was still quite high.
“Flexibility is essential when doing research in low- and middle-resource settings,” Dr Yamato said.
“For example, missing data is a significant problem. In low- and middle-resource settings, people may not be able to attend a session or follow-up due to many barriers such as the costs associated with transportation. Furthermore, universities often lack basic infrastructure [necessary for research] – for example, the university I was at didn’t have Wi-Fi.
“Designing research in low- and middleresource settings often needs to be designed from the ground up. We had to translate and validate all the tools before we could do the longitudinal studies. We also faced issues like students being unable to attend school due to violence during the pandemic. This kind of local reality must be carefully considered when planning research.”
Dr Yamato’s point about considering the reality of designing and implementing interventions in low- and middle-income settings was further emphasised when she shared some of the work done by her husband, Dr Bruno Saragiotto, in
a project that explored testing three different implementation strategies for delivering an online pain education program through the Brazilian public healthcare system.
“Before running their Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT), they did a qualitative study to ask how the population would like to receive the intervention. Many people don’t have access to the internet in Brazil because the data is very expensive, and they do not have enough storage on their phones.
“[However], most of the mobile providers in Brazil offer free access to WhatsApp, and because of that, they delivered the whole intervention via that platform. In this context, no other apps or platforms would have worked… I think this is a great example of how the context strongly shapes how interventions should be designed and delivered.”
But despite the challenges, Dr Yamato highlighted that opportunities also exist.
“People in low- and middle-resource settings tend to be very motivated and hardworking. Research in Brazil mostly happens out of goodwill, and it relies far more on determination and our natural willingness to support one another rather than relying on funding or government incentives.”
Dr Yamato concluded the plenary lecture by reiterating what Dr Sharma spoke about during its early stages, highlighting that pain is a global priority, and that research needs to be embedded into the culture of healthcare systems even in places where resources are limited.
“People living in low-resource settings are not the minority. They’re actually the global majority, and I am sure that the dominant voice has something to contribute too.”
Dr Lincoln Tracy is a senior research fellow at Monash University and writer from Melbourne, Australia. He is a member of the Australian Pain Society and enthusiastic conference attendee. You can follow him on X (@ lincolntracy) or check out some of his other writing on his website
Plant-a-Tree Program
This is to recognise The Australian Pain Society on behalf of
2025 Australian Pain Society 45th Annual Scientific Meeting Delegates for contributing 1,192 native trees and shrubs in the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor.
1,192
Thank you for supporting biodiverse reforestation and habitat restoration within Australia’s largest carbon sink project.
Issue Date: 20th May 2025
Thank you to all APS 2025 delegates who contributed to the plant-a-tree program this year. In conjunction with Carbon Neutral the APS continues to plant a tree for each delegate who attends their ASMs. Additional trees were available for delegates to purchase through the registration form.
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Proudly restoring Australia’s natural habitat through biodiverse reforestation of degraded land.
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING APS 2025!
Thank you to those who joined us at the 2025 Australian Pain Society 45th Annual Scientific Meeting held in Melbourne.
APS 2025 Photos
The conference photographs are now available to view and can be downloaded here:
DOWNLOAD PHOTOS
APS Conference Recordings are Now Available
We've got you covered if you missed out on the conference!
EverTechnology recorded all 39 sessions at APS 2025. These are now available in MP3 Audio and MP4 Video format. Check out the various packages below:
This recording is optimised for listening on portable audio players.
Whether you listen in the car or on your portable player, the voice will be clear and present.
Features crystal clear audio with the added benefit of seeing a full-screen presentation of the speakers’ slides presentation.
APS 2025 - Travel Grant Recipients
Watch out for the Travel Grant recipients' reports in this and following eNews editions
PhD Travel Grants
Mr Yanfei Ban Pharmacology QLD
Miss Pak Yan (Stefanie) Chau Science Research QLD
Mr Kexun Kenneth Chen Exercise Physiologist SA
Mr Jack Devonshire Exercise Physiologist NSW
Ms Angela Doshen Science Research NSW
Mr Michael Ferraro Science Research NSW
Mr Harrison Hansford Exercise Physiologist NSW
Miss Yun Huang Neurology NSW
Mrs Katelyn Jauregui Pharmacy NSW
Mrs Most Sumaiya Khutun Kali Pharmacology QLD
Mx Hyunsol Lim Science Research NSW
Mr Allan Peng Science Research NSW
Ms Rebecca Roberston Science Research NSW
Ms Meredith Smith Paediatrics SA
Ms Martjie Venter Physiotherapy NSW
Ms Emily Walker Exercise Physiologist NSW
Miss Monique Wilson Physiotherapy SA
PinC SIG Travel Grant
Mrs Nadine Smith Physiotherapy WA
BPR SIG Travel Grant
Miss Pauline Jubin Science Research NSW
Other Student Travel Grants
Mr Frederick Collin Science Research NSW
Ms Amy McNeilage Psychology NSW
Annual Scientific Meeting Travel Grant Recipient Report
Rebecca Robertson
Rebecca is a Postdoctoral Research Associate the Brain and Mind Centre (BMC) at the University of Sydney. She completed her PhD in 2025 looking at underlying acute pain mechanisms in subcortical limbic regions at ultra-high field in healthy individuals. She is now completing a post-doc concentrating on more clinical pain populations such as individuals experiencing chronic pain following a spinal cord injury (SCI).
2025 Australian Pain Society 45th Annual Scientific Meeting
Attending the Australian Pain Society (APS) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) is always an extremely exciting part of my year. However, with increasing demands as a post-doc it can be difficult to fund the travel. Thanks to the APS travel grant I was able to attend APS2025 without the pressure of knowing how I would fund the travel to Melbourne.
I was fortunate to present a poster at APS2025 which looked at the final paper of my PhD. This paper was providing insights into the resting state connectivity of the hypothalamus to key limbic regions also known to be important to pain processing. I received insightful questions from other researchers regarding the potential application of this technique in chronic pain conditions.
This was not the first APS ASM I attended – I have been fortunate to attend four others previously. This one stood out due to its amazing international plenaries and the sheer amount of different academic and clinical experts in attendance.
I had the pleasure of meeting A/Prof Natalia Egorova-Brumley properly this year. We had spoken over email and at previous conferences, but I was able to gain more insight of her research through her topical session discussing the importance of considering the mechanisms of nocebo using imaging in pain states. A/Prof Natalia EgorovaBrumley was a wonderful connection, and I hope to collaborate with her and her lab on an upcoming paper looking at novel therapies for chronic pain and the impact on sleep.
As usual the Meet the Minds session is of great value as it lets early career researchers (ECRs) and students directly discuss and gain insights into to the passion and dedication of academics.
I am looking forward to taking in this meeting with new eyes as I will be deeper into my ECR period. Every year I come away from the APS ASM with enthusiasm to perform the best research I can, and I hope to be able to bring this energy into next year’s conference.
Declaration: Rebecca Robertson has nothing to declare.
Annual Scientific Meeting Travel Grant Recipient Report
Fred Collin
Fred Collin is a PhD student at the Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Behaviour at the University of Sydney. He is investigating the effects of photobiomodulation in preclinical models of neuropathic pain as well as investigating the effects of cannabidiol on the immune system in patients with painful spinal cord injury. He has a curiosity for all things neuroscience and is eager to expand his knowledge on pain through a mix of human and animal research.
An exciting first step for a PhD student’s journey into research
The 2025 Australian Pain Society (APS) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) was the first scientific conference I have ever attended. I flew from Sydney to attend the conference, which was thankfully possibly with the APS Travel Grant. It was great to meet so many like-minded researchers at different stages of their careers. I was nervous about what to expect, but by the end, I had a deeper understanding of pain, how to improve my presentation skills, and an excitement to get back to the lab.
At the conference, I realised how little I know about pain. As I sat in lectures and sessions aimed at clinicians, I got to see the translation of basic research to its clinical applications. I saw how pain is treated much more holistically than I assumed. The discussion between experts and a patient with chronic pain in the ‘Psychedelics in pain panel’ helped me realise the real life situations where my research could benefit. It left me with a lot of reflection as to how I have previously viewed chronic pain as being so black or white, when in reality, it exists on a spectrum. Hearing about the lived experiences of someone trying multiple treatments that turn out to be ineffective was very salient and has stuck with me. During Professor Tamar Pincus’ first plenary, she explained a metaphor that compared chronic pain to plasticine
and how pain is entwined with one’s life. The metaphor was another great example of how multifaceted pain can be. Reading hundreds of papers can only help so much, but attending conferences is such a necessary part of research. Since the conference, I have looked to various media and articles to further understand pain. Consequently, the conference has improved my iterative process of continually learning and relearning.
I was lucky enough to present at the conference, which was a great learning experience. At the Basic Pain Research (BPR) pre-conference workshop, I got to present in the 3-minute-thesis competition. I was confined by one static slide to convey my research to the room. I discussed my research into profiling immune cells in patients with painful or nonpainful spinal cord injuries. What we found was that following a spinal cord injury, there are changes to immune cell populations and their expression of inflammatory and proliferative markers. We further found patients with pain showed similar expression patterns to patients with more severe injuries. Although these insights were difficult to limit to three minutes, I had a lot of fun trying. I also got to present at the free paper session. Here, I discussed my research into using photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) to treat a rodent model of peripheral nerve injury. We investigated pain behaviours and differences in immune cell activation throughout the body. We found PBM to provide analgesia to thermal and to have some anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages at the injured nerve, and on monocytes and T cells in the peripheral blood. Presenting this in front of a room of experts was nerve-racking, but I got some very valuable feedback, that I will take on board.
At the ‘Meet the Minds’ session, I got to have informal chats with Professor Andrew Rice, Doctor Saurab Sharma, and Professor Tamar Pinkus. We discussed their research journeys,
Travel Grant Recipients Report
their approach to science, and how to work effectively in a team. As I was surrounded by other PhD students, we really got to answer some nitty-gritty questions that everyone had on their minds. These chats left a lasting impact on me, and I will definitely sign up for it again next year.
Overall, the conference taught me some very valuable information and improved upon a
variety of my skills. I also had an amazing time at all the social events. I’m very thankful for the travel grant for making this experience possible and I can’t wait for the 2026 APS conference in Adelaide.
Declaration: Fred Collin and his supervisor Associate Professor Paul Austin are supported by a philanthropic donation from the Neil and Norma Hill Foundation.
Annual Scientific Meeting Travel Grant Recipient Report
Nadine Smith
Nadine is a physiotherapist who works in Kids Rehab WA at Perth Children’s Hospital. Her current research has focused on improving the psychosocial assessment of chronic pain in children and young people with cerebral palsy.
2025 Australian Pain Society 45th Annual Scientific Meeting
I was fortunate to receive a Pain in Childhood Special Interest Group (PinC SIG) PhD Student Travel Grant, which enabled me to travel from Perth to Melbourne to attend the 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Pain Society.
I work with children who have cerebral palsy—a population with diverse communication, cognitive, and motor abilities. Attending the past three APS Annual Scientific Meetings (ASMs) has allowed me to learn from leading experts in paediatric pain and apply this knowledge in my work with children with disabilities. Being part of PICH (Pain in Child Health) has been a highlight of these meetings, offering multiple opportunities to present and connect with international leaders in child and young people’s pain from both Canada and Australia.
I have been especially interested in the focus on interdisciplinary pain management and the roles of clinical psychology, physiotherapy,
and occupational therapy. This has highlighted the current gaps in access to pain interventions for people with cerebral palsy.
At the PinC SIG pre-conference workshop, I enjoyed the presentation on virtual reality by Dr Nicole Pope, Dr Carolyn Berryman, and Jasmine Cruz. Our team also presented work on the development of a core outcome set for chronic pain assessment tools tailored to individuals with cerebral palsy, regardless of communication or cognitive ability. My colleague Meredith Smith presented on adaptations to two chronic pain assessment tools, which was recognised with the Best Poster Presentation prize.
A personal highlight of the conference was Professor Tamar Pincus’ keynote on the validation of chronic pain and the use of the plasticine video. Her critique of terms such as ‘catastrophising’ strongly resonated with feedback we have received from people with lived experience of cerebral palsy. This is reflected in the chronic pain assessment tools included in the cerebral palsy specific core outcome set.
Thank you for the opportunity to attend APS 2025. I look forward to attending APS 2026!
Declaration: Nadine Smith has nothing to declare.
GET READY FOR APS 2026!
We'll be holding our 46th Annual Scientific Meeting at the Adelaide Convention Centre, SA from 19 - 22 April 2026.
Visit the conference website
Further information on APS 2026 will be sent out in the coming months.
Express your Interest
Please click below to register your interest in APS 2026.
You will be notified of important milestones –such as when abstract portals and registrations open
Should you have queries, please contact the Conference Secretariat I Am Interested
We look forward to seeing you in Adelaide!
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TOPICAL SESSION SUBMISSIONS
Submissions Open: Tuesday 3 June 2025
On behalf of the Scientific Program Committee and the Local Organising Committee, we are pleased to advise topical session submissions for APS 2026 are now open.
The deadline for Topical Session submissions is: Tuesday 2 September 2025
View the topical session submission guidelines.
The online topical session submission portal will be available via the conference website from Tuesday 3 June 2025.
We look forward to receiving your submissions.
Should you have any queries regarding your submission or the process, please contact the Conference Secretariat
painSTAR Delegate Report
Dr Ati Sadr
Dr Ati Sadr is a practicing dental clinician (Dentist-endodontist) and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney. With over 22 years of clinical and teaching experience, she is currently pursuing a part time PhD focused on psychological predictors of pain in dentistry/ endodontics.
painSTAR 2024 Report:
Attending the 2025 Australian Pain Society (APS) Conference in Melbourne brought back vivid memories of the truly transformative week I spent at painSTAR 2024 in the Barossa Valley. It reminded me how much I had grown—not only in my research but in my sense of belonging within the broader pain research community.
Finding My Place in a Multidisciplinary pain World
As a dentist and endodontist with a passion for understanding pain—particularly the role of psychological predictors in dental pain—I came into painSTAR with curiosity, a little self-doubt, and a lot of enthusiasm. I often questioned how I might fit into a multidisciplinary program surrounded by brilliant young researchers from diverse fields with hardly any in the dental field, many with full-time research backgrounds. However, from the moment I arrived, I was embraced by a community that valued not just knowledge, but passion, perspective, and potential. painSTAR was so much more than a workshop—it was an immersive experience. Nestled in the calm, nature-rich surrounds of the Barossa Valley, the setting offered the perfect backdrop for reflection, learning, and connection. Early morning walks, engaging discussions, and shared meals created a family-like environment where conversations flowed effortlessly—from pain signalling pathways to life lessons in research resilience.
Highlights and Lasting Impact
The four days of painSTAR were full and dynamic, featuring outstanding sessions with experts who spoke on everything from basic science and implementation to the lived experience of pain. Every delegate had the chance to share their research in a supportive space, sparking meaningful discussions and potential collaborations. For me, presenting my work on dental anxiety and pain management with psychological predictors of pain in dentistry opened doors to rich feedback, resources, and connections that have already enhanced the quality of my qualitative research. A key takeaway that left a lasting impact on me was the value of co-designing with dental patients—an idea that took root while listening to the voices of people with lived pain experience during the workshop. Their stories reshaped how I think about research
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L to R: Beautiful views and sunrise from our accommodation balcony
Our group Pitch presentation win at painSTAR 2024
L to R: Margaret Phillips, Ati Sadr, Amy Mcneilage, Marina Vygonskaya, Jay Whittem, Ghufran Alhassani
design. With guidance from several painSTAR speakers, I was able to gather resources and refine the vision for the next stage of my project, which will now directly involve patient perspectives. This sense of collaboration with those we aim to serve added a humanising and motivating layer to my research process. The opportunity to hear from patients themselves—their experiences and expectations—was a powerful reminder of why we do this work. I was also deeply inspired by Dr Tasha Stanton, who encouraged us to “take calculated risks,” and Professor Anne Burke, who reminded us to embrace self-compassion and to support one another through the challenges of the research journey. Sessions on topics such as imposter syndrome, giving better talks, and staying resilient through the ups and downs of research life resonated strongly with me. As someone who has navigated a complex path, being part of a community of like-minded researchers brought a sense of belonging and strength. The workshop not only equipped me with practical insights but also gave me renewed clarity and confidence in my research journey.
I came away with two incredible mentors— Professor Anne Burke and Professor Fiona Blyth— and the generous support of many others who guided me in refining my qualitative research methods.
At the 2025 APS Conference in Melbourne, during the “Meet the Mind” session with Professor David Bennett, I was reminded once again of why I am doing pain research. He described the difference between the immediate satisfaction of clinical work and the deeper, slower gratification that comes from research. That message helped me reconcile my internal conflict—I love the immediacy of clinical practice, yet I am deeply drawn to the longer arc
of discovery that research offers. His words, along with those of other inspiring painSTAR speakers, reinforced my motivation to embrace uncertainty, persist through challenges, and continue contributing to the evolving field of pain research.
It was especially meaningful to reconnect with some of the painSTAR community at the great APS 2025 Melbourne conference, see their growth, and be reminded that we’re all on this journey together— learning, growing, and making an impact.
Moving Forward with Purpose
One of the most beautiful aspects of painSTAR was its human side—its heart. Whether discussing challenges, sharing personal setbacks, or simply encouraging one another, the space created by the organisers was safe, inspiring, and full of compassion. A quote from Ms Trudy Maunsell, one of our remarkable painSTAR faculty/mentors and the APS 2025 Distinguished Member Award recipient in Melbourne, continues to resonate with me:
“Don’t let anything—or anyone—on top of you stop you from having a crack.”
painSTAR reminded me why I started this journey and helped me see where I’m going. I left with renewed motivation, a clearer research direction, and most importantly, a sense of belonging in a community committed to transforming pain care.
To all the organisers, especially Ms Alex Robertson, the faculty, all the national and international speakers and the entire painSTAR team—thank you. Your vision, care, and dedication are shaping a brighter future for pain research, and I am proud to be part of that story.
Declaration: Ati Sadr has nothing to declare.
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L to R: Jules Richards, Ghufran Alhassani, Hannah Kennedy and Atieh Sadr
Reunion of some of the painSTAR team at APS2025 in Melbourne
L to R: Margaret Phillips, Atieh (Ati) Sadr and Ghufran Alhassani
painSTAR Delegate Report
Yanfei Xie
Yanfei Xie is a research fellow at the RECOVER Injury Research Centre, the University of Queensland. Her research focuses on investigating the mechanisms underlying whiplash injury and non-traumatic neck pain, as well as testing and implementing innovative, effective interventions for patients with these conditions.
painSTAR 2024 Report:
I felt incredibly fortunate to be selected for painSTAR 2024. My decision to apply was strongly influenced by the enthusiastic recommendations of two colleagues who had previously participated in the inaugural painSTAR event. They praised the program's unique blend of intensive learning, networking opportunities, and the supportive community it fostered. Their experiences highlighted the significant impact painSTAR had on their research career development, which strongly motivated me to apply.
My primary goals for attending painSTAR were to expand my professional network, develop practical skills in research communication and collaboration, and explore potential career pathways within the field of pain research. I was eager to immerse myself in an environment where I could learn from both national and international experts and connect with fellow early career researchers who share a passion for advancing pain science.
The painSTAR 2024 experience was incredibly enriching. One of the most significant highlights was the opportunity to network and collaborate with a small, dedicated group of peers and faculty members. Typically, I am shy and feel intimidated, when talking to people I do not know at conferences. However, unlike larger conferences, the intimate setting of painSTAR allowed for meaningful interactions and the chance to build genuine connections. This was particularly valuable as it facilitated deeper discussions and a sense of community among attendees.
Another standout aspect of the program was working in a team to pitch pain as a key funding priority to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians. This collaborative exercise was both challenging and rewarding, pushing us out of our comfort zones and encouraging us to think creatively and strategically. Presenting our pitch was a fun and engaging experience, and it was eyeopening and inspiring to hear the unique ideas and creative approaches each group took. Additionally, having faculty and patient partners involved throughout the program was a unique and enlightening aspect of painSTAR. Their presence and active participation in all talks and activities provided diverse perspectives and expanded the learning experience. The discussions about their careers, challenges, and successes were incredibly valuable and offered practical insights that I could relate to my own career journey.
The insights gained from different sessions in painSTAR and interactions with other delegates have broadened my understanding of the field and inspired new ideas for research. One of the most exciting outcomes of attending painSTAR has been the opportunity to start a collaborative project with another early career researcher I met at the 2024 painSTAR. Together, we’re exploring the perspectives of culturally and linguistically diverse individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain on using mHealth to support pain management. Our early work is promising and holds real potential for impact.
Attending painSTAR 2024 was an invaluable experience, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this program. I look forward to applying the knowledge and connections gained to my future work. I highly recommend painSTAR to any early career researcher in the field of pain research. The program not only deepened my passion for pain research but also provided me with practical skills, new collaborations, and a greater understanding of the diverse opportunities within the field. Declaration Yanfei Xie has nothing to declare.
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painSTAR Delegate Report
Meredith Smith
Meredith is a physiotherapist who recently submitted her PhD the topic “Tailoring Chronic Pain Assessment to Children and Young People with Cerebral Palsy” at the University of Adelaide. Meredith works clinically at Novita and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and is a lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of Adelaide.
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painSTAR 2024 Report:
I had the great privilege of attending painSTAR 2024 in the Barossa Valley. I had heard great reports of painSTAR from previous attendees and was keen to attend and learn as much as I could. I didn’t really know what to expect in terms of the format and experience, so my goals for attending were quite basic. Firstly, to learn more about the general pain research world in Australia and secondly, to meet others who were at a similar career stage to me. At the time of painSTAR I was finishing off my PhD thesis and becoming acutely aware of the need to think more actively about future opportunities, so it seemed to come at a good time.
A highlight of painSTAR for me was meeting the other attendees and faculty. The diversity in the group was extraordinary and one of the real strengths of the time away. I am a clinician and academic, so loved meeting those who
were doing clinical research and hearing about some of the challenges and privileges of their contexts. At the same time, I (unexpectedly!) loved learning more about basic science and particularly meeting colleagues in these areas. It helps so much to understand the research pipeline and the importance of having great researchers at every stage to ensure findings can eventually be successfully embedded in clinical practice.
painSTAR really helped me to start thinking properly about post PhD opportunities, including non-traditional pathways such as clinical academia or industry research. The opportunity to chat with others about some of the unique challenges and privileges of different areas (i.e. clinical research, traditional academic roles, industry roles) and to hear from the faculty who have worked in those fields was a unique opportunity and perfectly timed for me.
painSTAR provided an easy and natural way to ‘network’ – which is not usually my favourite activity! It is lovely to now have authentic connections with people across Australia who are also passionate about progressing pain research, and to know there will likely be opportunities in the future to collaborate.
Declaration Meredith Smith has nothing to declare.
Would you like to be featured in an APS member spotlight?
Email the APS Secretariat (aps@apsoc.org.au) if you would like to complete a short interview to introduce yourself and your work to the broader membership.
Preventive Medications in Pediatric Migraine: A Network Meta-Analysis
Kohandel Gargari O, Aghajanian S, Togha M, et al.
Preventive Medications in Pediatric Migraine: A Network Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Oct 1;7(10):e2438666.
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.38666.
PMID: 39388181
Reviewer: A/Prof Greta Palmer, Pain Specialist, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
Review of article
Study group
The systematic review (SR) analysed data from 45 randomised clinical trials, including a total of 3771 migraine sufferers aged 3 to 18 years.
Aims
• To assess and compare the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of different pharmacologic treatments used for migraine prophylaxis in children and adolescents.
• To provide evidence-based guidance for clinicians in selecting appropriate preventive medications for paediatric migraine patients.
Method
Researchers conducted a systematic review (SR) and network meta-analysis (NMA), adhering to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. They searched databases for randomised controlled trials (RCT) and five reviewers evaluated pharmacologic interventions for migraine prevention in individuals aged 3 to 18 years. The analysis (of 37 studies including 2617 patients) included both direct and indirect comparisons of various medications, with assessment of their relative efficacy, safety, and acceptability.
Summary of results
The article drew findings from between one to four trials for each outcome for efficacy compared to placebo for
1. Reduction in migraine frequency achieved by ≥50% for pregabalin, topiramate with Vitamin D3, 2 calcium channel blockers (flunarizine and cinnarizine [the latter not available in Australia]), levetiracetam, riboflavin (Vitamin B2) vs ~30% for both topiramate and amitriptyline alone
2. ≥50% or greater responder rate, where flunarizine with α-lipoic acid and alone was more effective than pregabalin, and
3. Headache intensity which was reduced by propranolol combined with cinnarizine, pregabalin, valproate and levetiracetam by ~40%.
No treatments were associated with improvements in quality of life or reduction in migraine attack.
Adverse events were higher with valproate (by 6 times), topiramate (by 4.3 times) and amitriptyline (by 3.8 times).
Conclusions
The SR concluded that topiramate and pregabalin were associated with reduction in headache frequency and intensity. Although other drugs (flunarizine, riboflavin, amitriptyline, and cinnarizine) also had statistically significant results, more and larger scale RCTs are required and need to explore the potential of combination therapies, especially those involving vitamins.
Reviewer's critique & take-home message from the article
This SR provides insights into the comparative effectiveness of pharmacologic treatments for paediatric migraine prevention with findings enhanced through use of NMA but still based on a limited number of trials for each medication (one-four trials) and outcome. Of note, the data is more positive for medications that are not usually prescribed by Australian paediatric pain specialists.
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In my experience, paediatric pain clinics see more chronic daily headache likely due to tension type, but there is a subgroup of patients who are frequent acute migraineurs or those with chronic or transformed migraine diagnosis for whom these results are relevant. The significant placebo effect observed in paediatric migraine trials continues to complicate interpretation of efficacy.
Pregabalin, topiramate combined with Vitamin D, and riboflavin are more effective in reducing migraine frequency than amitriptyline and all are more effective than placebo. However, the adverse effect profile of neuroactive agents is a very important consideration. In my practice, I avoid antileptics with their neurocognitive impact upon children or adolescents with chronic or frequent headache, in whom we are trying to foster return to school and academic function.
These results raise more questions than answers and, as the authors conclude, RCTs of combination therapies particularly including vitamins are needed. Ideally, future trials might even consider incorporating non-pharmacologic approaches within their design as either routine or a separate arm. Of note, none of the treatments explored improved quality of life or reduced migraine attack frequency, highlighting an important gap in clinically meaningful outcomes.
Declaration
The reviewer has nothing to declare.
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Paediatric chronic pain prevalence in lowand middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Liao ZW, Le C, Kynes JM, Niconchuk JA, Pinto E, Laferriere HE, Walters CB. Paediatric chronic pain prevalence in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. eClinicalMedicine. 2022;45:101296.
DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101296
Reviewer: Farah Hanim Abdullah, Fellow in Pain Medicine, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.
Review of article
Study group
This systematic review and meta-analysis included data from 27 studies across 20 low- and middleincome countries (LMICs), encompassing over 100,000 children and adolescents aged 0–19 years. Most participants were aged 10 years and older; only one study focused exclusively on children under 10.
Aims
To determine the prevalence of chronic pain among children and adolescents in LMICs. To fill a significant gap in global health data, as the majority of previous research on paediatric chronic pain has been conducted in high-income countries.
Method
Databases were searched following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Eligible studies included those published before January 2022 involving participants ≤19 years in LMICs and defined chronic pain as pain persisting for three months or more (ICD-11 criteria). A mixed-effects regression meta-analysis was performed. Risk of bias was assessed using a validated checklist. Subgroup analyses were conducted by pain type and sex.
Summary of results
• The estimated pooled prevalence of chronic pain in children and adolescents from LMICs was approximately 20%, though varied considerably by region (ranging from ~10% to 30%).
• The most commonly reported pain types were musculoskeletal pain, headache, and abdominal pain.
• Girls reported significantly higher prevalence of chronic pain than boys across most pain types, except musculoskeletal pain.
• Although most included studies had a low risk of bias, high heterogeneity in study design and assessment tools was observed.
Conclusions
Chronic pain is a significant yet under-recognised public health issue among children and adolescents in LMICs, with prevalence estimates comparable to those in high-income countries. The authors call for increased awareness, standardised assessment protocols, and culturally adapted management strategies. Addressing this burden requires improved research infrastructure and policy prioritisation in resource-limited settings.
Reviewer's critique & take-home message from the article
This review is a timely and much-needed contribution, highlighting the substantial burden of paediatric chronic pain in LMICs. Its rigorous methodology and comprehensive geographic coverage enhance the credibility and relevance of the findings. The results underscore the global nature of paediatric pain and the need for equitable access to care.
Nonetheless, the review reveals methodological limitations inherent in the existing literature, including inconsistent definitions of chronicity, varied pain assessment tools, and limited national representativeness. These factors underscore the need for future studies to use standardised, culturally validated tools and to include underrepresented low-income countries.
Take-home message:
Chronic pain in children and adolescents is a global issue that transcends income levels. LMICs require targeted investment in clinical, educational, and policy interventions to improve paediatric pain management and reduce long-term disability.
Declaration
I declare no conflict of interest in reviewing this article.
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Chronic pain concepts of pediatricians: a qualitative survey
Locher, C., Wörner, A. W., Carlander, M., Kossowsky, J., Dratva, J., & Koechling, H. (2023). Chronic pain concepts of pediatricians: a qualitative survey. Pain Rep.Jan 16;8(1):e1060.
DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001060. PMID: 36699994
Reviewer: Michelle Sexton, Clinical Psychologist, Royal Children’s Hospital
Review of article
Study group
The study surveyed 233 clinically active Swiss paediatricians, registered with the Swiss Society for Pediatrics (SSP) across a range of practice settings. Ages ranged between 36 – 55 years; and 71% male, 29% female.
Aims
To explore the extent to which Swiss paediatricians’ conceptualisations of chronic pain in children and adolescents aligned with their explanation of chronic pain in practice. Specifically, the study examined (1) how paediatricians interpreted the cause of a chronic pain case and (2) how they would explain the pain to a child and family.
Method
An online qualitative survey was emailed to 1595 paediatricians, with two follow up reminders. Responses were collected from March-April 2019. Respondents were presented a case vignette describing a girl with chronic musculoskeletal pain, previously examined by an orthopaedic surgeon and paediatric rheumatologist, neither of whom were able to identify the cause of pain.
Structuring content analysis using MAXQDA was applied to the open-text responses provided by the paediatricians concerning, (1) aetiology of the girl’s pain and (2) how they would explain it to her and her family, to identify key conceptual categories.
Summary of results
Responses to question 1 (aetiology) generated 387 quotations. Six conceptual categories emerged in descending frequency: psychological factors, biological factors, unclear aetiology, disorder-specific, social context and multifactorial, with responses to question 2 (explanation) generated 341 quotations, with six themes emerging in descending frequency: biological, psychological, unclear, validating, multifactorial and social.
The majority of paediatricians personal conceptualisations emphasised psychological ‘psychosomatic’ factors as relevant to the girl’s pain. However, when describing communication with the patient and family, they predominantly used biological explanations. Few responses reflected a truly integrated biopsychosocial model. However, it is interesting to note the additional category “validating” in 61 responses to question 2, where paediatricians emphasised the importance of validating and acknowledging the child’s pain, regardless of its origin.
Conclusions
The findings highlight a discrepancy between paediatricians’ internal beliefs (favouring psychological explanations) and their communication with families (emphasising biological causes). This divergence may reflect discomfort with discussing psychological contributors, or a perception that biological explanations are more acceptable to families. The authors argue that to improve timely and effective treatment of paediatric chronic pain, greater alignment with the biopsychosocial model—and increased confidence in its communication—is needed.
Reviewer’s critique & take home message from the article
This study offers valuable insight into the implicit and explicit beliefs Swiss paediatricians hold about chronic pain, and how these beliefs shape clinical communication. It is interesting
to note that social context was fifth on the list of categories for question 1 (aetiology) and sixth for question 2 (explanation). This suggests there is also room for improvement in including social factors in pain-conceptualisations and explanations to increase alignment of practice to the biopsychosocial model and to provide holistic care.
The reluctance to foreground psychological or social contributors when speaking with families may perpetuate uncertainty and hinder engagement with appropriate multidisciplinary interventions. The paper underscores the importance of training paediatricians not
only in the biopsychosocial model of pain, as codified in the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11), but also in how to communicate this model effectively and empathetically. As the field continues to shift away from reductionist thinking, this study is a timely reminder that language matters—not just for accuracy, but for treatment engagement and outcomes.
Declaration
The reviewer has no conflict of interest in the preparation of this article.
Pain in Childhood SIG Webpage Refresh
–Call for Contributions by 30 June 2025
We are refreshing our Pain in Childhood Special Interest Group webpage to better reflect the amazing work happening across our community — and we’d love your input!
We are seeking contributions from members to feature on the site. This is a great opportunity to showcase your work, increase visibility, and share useful resources with others working to improve pain care for children and young people.
We’re looking for:
• Brief summaries of current research, clinical innovation, or service improvement projects
• Links to publications, toolkits, or digital resources you've developed
• Educational materials for clinicians, families, or children
• Videos, infographics, or podcasts
• Patient or family stories (with consent) that highlight care experiences
• Upcoming events, webinars, or training opportunities
We’ll use your contributions to build:
• A featured “Member Spotlight” section
• A refreshed Resource Hub
• A living archive of research, innovations, and impact
How to contribute
Please email your contribution to the APS Secretariat by 30 June 2025, including:
• Title and short summary (100–200 words)
• Any relevant files, links, or images
• Author name(s) and affiliation(s)
• Consent for sharing, if applicable (e.g., for videos/testimonials)
Let’s showcase the breadth and impact of pain research and practice for children and young people across Australia and beyond!
Warm regards, Dr Nicole Pope Communications Officer and Pain in Child Health Representative
APS Pain in Childhood Special Interest Group
Chronic Pain in Autistic Youth: Clinical
Prevalence and Reflections on Tailoring
Evidence-Based Interventions from an Interdisciplinary Treatment Team
Han, G.T.; Heavner, H.S.; Rains, T.R.; Hoang, A.H.; Stone, A.L. (2024). Chronic Pain in Autistic Youth: Clinical Prevalence and Reflections on Tailoring Evidence-Based Interventions from an Interdisciplinary Treatment Team. Children, 11(3), 312.
DOI: 10.3390/children11030312
Reviewer: Sylvia Kwong, Occupational Therapist, Royal Children’s Hospital
Review of article
Study group
95 paediatric patients mean age 14.5 years (range 8 to 18) attending an interdisciplinary outpatient paediatric pain clinic. Two-thirds identify as female, a third as male with 6% gender expansive or transgender. Of the cohort, 9% had a prior autism diagnosis, with an additional 21% suspected to meet clinical criteria based on developmental history and clinician observation, suggesting that the true prevalence in this setting is 30%.
Aims
• To evaluate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of autism in youth attending a paediatric chronic pain clinic.
• To reflect on potential adaptations for assessment and treatment based on interdisciplinary team observations.
• To address the gap in understanding of how evidence-based pain interventions might be adapted for autistic youth, given the biopsychosocial factors uniquely impacting this population.
Method
A retrospective review of electronic medical records at a single centre in the United States
was conducted for patients seen between September 2022 and October 2023. Data collected included clinical observations, developmental histories, sensory processing assessments, and standardised questionnaire results - Functional Disability Index (FDI), Patient Health Questionnaire for anxiety and depression 4 item (PHQ-4), the Paediatric Fear of Pain Questionnaire (PFOPQ), The Children’s Somatic Symptoms Inventory 8 item (CSSI-8). Weekly interdisciplinary team discussions also contributed qualitative insights into treatment challenges and adaptations.
Summary of results
While there were no statistically significant differences between autistic and non-autistic groups across functional disability, depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, or pain intensity measures, small effect sizes suggested slightly greater symptom severity among autistic youth. Clinically, autistic patients exhibited sensory-processing challenges, difficulties with interoception, emotional dysregulation, cognitive inflexibility, and social withdrawal. More than half presented with widespread pain. Co-occurring conditions including Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS), migraines, and gastrointestinal disorders were also common.
Conclusions
The authors concluded that autistic youth are overrepresented in paediatric pain clinics and experience chronic pain through complex sensory, emotional, cognitive, and social mechanisms. Interdisciplinary paediatric pain services should adapt assessments and treatments by integrating sensorimotor interventions, validating neurodivergent and gender-diverse identities, and ensuring communication is concrete and supportive.
Reviewer's critique & take home message from the article
This article offers a practical and valuable clinical perspective for multidisciplinary paediatric pain management teams, highlighting the unique interplay between autism and chronic pain. It provides immediately applicable suggestions, such as developing sensory support plans and adapting assessments and interventions to better serve autistic youth. A noted limitation is that the retrospective, observational design may limit the generalisability of findings beyond the specific clinic setting. Nonetheless, the study addresses an important gap by summarising the team’s clinical opinions, suggested approach and advocating for a more neurodiversity-affirming approach to chronic pain treatment.
Autistic youth with chronic pain benefit from sensory-informed, behaviourally anchored, and identity-affirming care models. Interdisciplinary teams must adapt their practices to support not only pain management, but also improvements in daily functioning, emotional wellbeing, and quality of life. In addition to addressing sensory processing differences, occupational therapists may place greater emphasis on sensorimotor integration in future interventions, recognising the significant role of motor difficulties and nervous system dysregulation in the chronic pain experience.
Declaration
No conflicts of interest to declare.
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Antidepressants for low back pain and spine related leg pain
Thank you to APS members Michael Ferraro and Aidan Cashin and their colleagues Donna Urquhart, Giovanni Ferreira, Michael Wewege, Christina Shaheed, Adrian Traeger, Jan Hoving, Eric Visser and James McAuley for sharing the following recent publication.
Article first published online: 10 March 2025
Journal Reference: Ferraro MC, Urquhart DM, Ferreira GE, Wewege MA, Shaheed CA, Traeger AC, Hoving JL, Visser EJ, McAuley JH, Cashin AG. Antidepressants for low back pain and spine-related leg pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2025(3).
Antidepressants are commonly used to treat low back pain and spine-related leg pain, but their benefits and harms remain uncertain. The objective of this review was to assess the benefits and harms of antidepressants for non-specific low back pain and spine-related leg pain.
Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Methods
We searched CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), MEDLINE, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO (World Health Organisation) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and EU Clinical Trials Register up to November 14, 2024.
We included randomised controlled trials comparing antidepressants with placebo, usual care, or no treatment in adults with nonspecific low back pain or spine-related leg pain. Primary outcomes were pain intensity, disability, and adverse events.
Results
We included 26 trials with 2,932 participants.
Most participants had pain for over three months (mean duration: 18 months to 20 years). Studies evaluated serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs, 8 studies), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, 2 studies), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs, 14 studies), tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs, 2 studies), and other antidepressants (2 studies). All included studies had at least one domain judged at high risk of bias, with 69% at high risk of attrition bias.
We included 26 studies that randomised 2,932 participants with non‐specific low back pain or spine‐related leg pain. Included studies evaluated serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs), and other antidepressants, all compared with placebo, and mainly administered orally. Most studies assessed outcomes at short‐term follow‐up (> 4 to 16 weeks), our primary time point of interest.
For non‐specific low back pain at short‐term follow‐up, we found moderate‐certainty evidence from four studies that SNRIs probably have small effects on pain intensity, and trivial effects on disability. There was moderate‐certainty evidence from four studies that TCAs probably have little to no effect on pain intensity but probably have a small effect on disability. We found inconclusive evidence for the effects of other antidepressants, SSRIs, and TeCAs on non‐specific low back pain, owing to small studies with imprecise estimates, and low‐ to very low‐certainty evidence.
For spine‐related leg pain at short‐term follow‐up, there were no studies evaluating the effects of SSRIs, TeCAs, or other antidepressants. We found evidence of positive effects for SNRIs on pain intensity, and TCAs on pain intensity and disability, but evidence was sparse and of low‐to very low‐certainty.
We evaluated harm outcomes in participants with non‐specific low back pain and spine‐
related leg pain collectively. We found moderate‐certainty evidence from five studies that SNRIs are probably associated with an increased risk of experiencing any adverse event. The risk of adverse events following SSRI, TCA, and TeCA administration is unclear, due to imprecise estimates and very low‐ and low‐certainty evidence, respectively. No studies assessed the number of total adverse events for other antidepressants. We evaluated the odds of experiencing a serious adverse event for SNRIs, TCAs, and other antidepressants, but imprecise effect estimates and low‐ to very low‐certainty evidence prevented us from drawing conclusions for this outcome.
Conclusions
SNRIs likely have small benefits for low back pain but may cause adverse effects. TCAs likely do not reduce pain but may improve disability. Effects of antidepressants on spine-related leg pain are uncertain, but SNRIs and TCAs warrant further study. Evidence for the safety of SSRIs, TCAs, TeCAs, and other antidepressants in non‐specific low back pain and spine‐related leg pain remains unclear.
Declaration
MF, DU and JH declare Cochrane editorial roles. DU and GF authored studies eligible for this review. GF, MW, CAS, JM, AT, and AC receive salary support from NHMRC grants.
Help Improve Access to Pain Management Clinics in Australia
Do you live with chronic pain, care for someone who does, or work with people in pain? We’re inviting you to take part in a short survey about accessing pain management clinics in Australia!
About the Study
We are conducting a research study to understand which barriers and supports most affect access to tertiary pain management clinic in Australia These are specialised healthcare services that provide care for individuals with severe and complex chronic pain (e g , hospital-based teams)
Who can participate?
• Adults living with chronic pain
• Family members/carers supporting someone with chronic pain
• Healthcare providers who refer patients to or work in pain clinics
What does it include?
• An online survey (around - 30 minutes) https://url au m mimecastprotect com/s/yRsmC6XQJvFr0NmPqHpfzf5lIbX?
domain=adelaideuniwide qualtrics com
Scan to Participate
The study has been approved by the University of Adelaide Human Research Ethics Committee: H-2022-25/44
Contact Details
Dr Sze Yan Cheung
Principal Supervisor szeyan cheung@adelaide edu au
Sanjana Moosapeta Student Researcher sanjana moosapeta@student adelaide edu au
Health Professionals’ Perspectives of Working With Children and Adolescents Experiencing Chronic Pain: Barriers & Facilitators
Thank you to APS members Jen Norton, Toby Newton-John, Joshua W Pate and their colleagues Mark Alcock, Janine Moore and Nicole Southon for sharing the following recent publication.
Article first published online: 13 May 2025
Journal Reference: Norton, J. G., Newton-John, T., Alcock, M., Moore, J., Southon, N., & Pate, J. W. (2025). Health Professionals' Perspectives of Working With Children and Adolescents Experiencing Chronic Pain: Barriers and Facilitators. The Clinical journal of pain, 41(6), e1284.
The purpose of this study was to contribute to better clinical care for children and adolescents experiencing chronic pain by improving training and support for community health professionals through the following aims: (1) identify health professionals’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators when working with this group, and (2) identify health professionals’ perception of training needs in this field.
Methods
Cross-sectional online survey of health professionals working with children experiencing chronic pain. Health professionals were eligible if they were registered to work as a health professional in their country, and they had current or previous experience working with any children or adolescents aged 0-18 years experiencing chronic pain in a clinical setting. Survey questions were a range of exploratory open and closed-ended questions, which included yes/no responses, choosing from a list, ranking options and open responses. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and percentages; qualitative data were analysed using conventional content analysis.
Results
180 health professionals participated, of which almost half (44%) were physiotherapists. Years of clinical experience ranged from 1 to 48, and the mean (SD) was 17.2 (10.1). Tertiary hospital settings and private practice settings were most common. The most frequently reported categories of both barriers and facilitators were workforce and system factors, child factors and parent factors. The most frequently reported confidence areas and development areas were health professional factors, approaches to care and team structure. 75% of participants reported they were moderately to extremely interested in further training in paediatric chronic pain management and indicated a preference for interactive training rather than “passive” learning formats.
Conclusions
Health professionals report a diverse range of perspectives when working with children experiencing chronic pain, including perceived barriers and facilitators to care. There are clear differences between how health professionals perceive themselves as needing to develop and how they perceive barriers and facilitators to care. Most health professionals were interested in future training in paediatric chronic pain management.
Implications/future research
Future research exploring the parent and child perspective and how these factors present clinically is needed to inform future training opportunities for health professionals working with children experiencing chronic pain.
Declaration
Jen Norton is a student funded by an Australian Commonwealth Government Department of Education and Training Research Training Program (RTP) full-time scholarship with the University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Joshua Pate has received speaker fees for presentations on pain and rehabilitation. He receives royalties for books on pain science education. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.
Developed by the Australian Pain Society in collaboration with the National Ageing Research Institute, this FREE ‘train-the-trainer’ pain management program is for use by sta in both residential aged care facilities and organisations that provide aged care in the community, as well as NDIS providers.
Bite-sized 10 minute training modules!
Eight (8) painACT modules: One for the trainer called “How to use the painACT trainer program”, and seven modules for the trainer to train their sta :
Introduction to pain in aged care
Impact of pain on the person, family and sta
Conversations about pain
Source reference: Pain in Residential Aged Care Facilities: Management Strategies, 2nd Edition
painACT is available on the Australian Pain Society website and consists of:
> trainer learning module documents
Developed by the Australian Pain Society in collaboration with the National Ageing Research Institute, this FREE ‘train-the-trainer’ pain management program is for use by sta in both residential aged care facilities and organisations that provide aged care in the community, as well as NDIS providers.
For more information:
> short training video clips, and > participant handout material apsoc.org.au/painACT-Online-Learning
Have you had an article accepted for publication recently?
The Australian Pain Society (APS) is keen to share publications from our members with their colleagues via our eNewsletter. If you’ve had an article accepted or published recently, please contact our Assistant Editor Joanne Harmon via the APS Secretariat (aps@apsoc.org.au) with the title, authors, and reference (i.e., journal, volume, and DOI) of your article and request the submission template. We would love it if you also supply a short commentary (300 words max) to give our readers the gist of the article.
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EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ONLINE: www.dccam.com.au/aps2026
Registrations open 18 November 2025
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Topical Sessions 2 September 2025
Rising Star Award 7 October 2025
Free Papers & Posters 28 October 2025
INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Professor Yves De Koninck
Yves De Koninck is Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Université Laval
and interdisciplinary approach to study the pathophysiology of neuromusculoskeletal conditions with the ultimate goal to improve management for patients.
For sponsorship and exhibition opportunities or more information please contact the APS Conference Secretariat: DC Conference & Association Management (DCC&A) P: 61 2 9954 4400 E: apsasm@dccam.com.au
NEW!
> The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has released a report on palliative care services in Australia
Other items of interest for our members:
> Latest opioid data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics: Opioid induced deaths in Australia.
> Australia’s annual overdose report 2024 from the Pennington Institute
> Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation Series: This series explores how healthcare use in Australia varies depending on where people live. It investigates reasons for variation that may be unwarranted, and provides specific achievable actions to reduce unwarranted variation
> ePPOC: electronic Persistent Pain Outcomes Collaboration: The electronic Persistent Pain Outcomes Collaboration (ePPOC) is an Australasian initiative that aims to improve the quality of care and outcomes for people who experience chronic pain.
> PainHEALTH: painHEALTH‘s aim is to help health consumers with musculoskeletal pain access reliable, evidence-based information and tips to assist in the co-management of musculoskeletal pain. painHEALTH is an initiative of the Department of Health, Western Australia
> Stanford University CHOIR: CHOIR Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry
> Opioid Podcasts for GPs: These podcasts are produced by David Outridge GP, and FAChAM Trainee as a project under the auspices of Dr Steven Kelly Staff Specialist in Addiction Medicine, Kullaroo Clinic Gosford. A weekly series from the Hunter Postgraduate Medical Institute (University of Newcastle)
> Airing Pain: Pain resources via an online radio show produced by Pain Concern, a UK registered Charity
> Indigenous Resources: Webpage on the APS website aggregating Indigenous resources
> Tame the Beast: Free educational tool that aims to inspire research-based action in the treatment of chronic pain
TGA
> Codeine information hub
NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation resources:
> Brainman and Pain Tool Kit translations
> Pain Management Resources
> Quicksteps to Manage Chronic Pain in Primary Care
> Built into Quicksteps: “How to de-prescribe and wean opioids in general practice”
> A list of helpful apps for consumers and clinicians
> Chronic Pain in the ED
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New Members as at 27 May 2025
Dr Farah Abdullah Anaesthesia
Mr Patrick Beaumont Neurology
Miss Molly Black Science Research
Dr Alex Chan Dentistry
Ms Rachael Evans Psychology
Mrs Andrea Funke Occupational Therapy
Mr Angus Galbraith Physiotherapy
Ms Emma Gianelli Physiotherapy
Mr Dharanish Khanal Nursing
Dr Ching-yee Lam Nursing
Dr Yuk Ming Sunny Lee Pain Medicine Physician
Mrs Hang ( Jennifer ) Liu Acupuncture
Dr Pratima Majhi General Practice
Mrs Sally Mason Myotherapy
Prof Rachael Richardson Science Research
Mr Mohammad Hassan Tajik Pain Medicine Physician
Ms Lucinda Walker Science Research
Mrs Lisa Zeldenryk Physiotherapy
Vale - Shaan Verco
The Australian Pain Society was saddened to hear the news of the passing of Shaan Verco on 13 May 2025. She and her husband, Geoff, were instrumental in the operations of the Pain Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Pain Management Research Institute (PMRI) at Royal North Shore Hospital. Their dedication significantly advanced pain research and education in Australia.
Shaan's commitment to alleviating chronic pain was evident through her tireless efforts in organising events and fundraising initiatives. Together their work ensured the continuity of vital research and patient care programs.
Shaan's legacy is one of compassion, dedication, and impactful service. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the field of pain management. Our thoughts are with Geoff and their family during this difficult time.
Calendar of Events
03-05 June 2025
British Pain Society
58th Annual Scientific Meeting '25
International Convention Centre Wales , Newport, UK
Various venues: Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Gympie, Maleny, Noosa, Birtinya, Sunshine Coast, QLD
04-06 September 2025
International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
NeuPSIG 2025, 9th International Congress on Neuropathic Pain
Urania Berlin e.V., Berlin, Germany
17 October 2025
Pain Nurses Australia
2025 Annual Professional Day - Pain in Vulnerable Populations
Waterview in Bicentennial Park, Sydney
Olympic Park, Sydney, NSW
23-25 October 2025
Australian Physiotherapy Association
Scientific Conference (APASC25)
Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, SA
24-26 October 2025
Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM)
2025 FPM Spring Meeting
Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, WA
14-16 November 2025
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
GP25
TBC, Brisbane, QLD
19-21 November 2025
Australian & New Zealand Spinal Cord Society
ANZCoS 2025: Rivers of Innovation
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, QLD
18-21 March 2026
New Zealand Pain Society (NZPS)
NZPS26 - The Right Fit
Christchurch Town Hall, Otautahi Christchurch, NZ
19-22 April 2026
Australian Pain Society
2026 Australian Pain Society 46th Annual Scientific Meeting
Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, SA
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Vision, Purpose & Priorities
Vision:
All people will have optimal pain management throughout life.
Purpose:
The Australian Pain Society is a multidisciplinary association whose purpose is to advance pain management through education, research, and advocacy for transformational improvements in clinical care.
Priorities:
In order to achieve our purpose, the Australian Pain Society will provide:
> Membership
> Research
> Education
> Services and resources
> Good governance and operations
> Advocacy
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Directors
President:
Ms Bernadette Smith
Psychology Plus
South Burnie TAS
Tel: 03 6431 9959 Fax: 03 6431 995001
President-Elect:
Dr Laura Prendergast
Persistent Pain Management Service
Northern Health
Broadmeadows VIC 3047
Tel: 03 8345 5166 Fax: N/A
Work days Mon & Thu
Secretary:
Mrs Dinah Spratt
Physiotas Physiotherapy
Shearwater TAS 7307
Tel: 03 6428 7500 Fax: 03 6424 7811
Treasurer:
Dr Duncan Sanders
Pain Management Unit,
Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney / Managing Pain Clinic and E3 Physio
Gold Coast QLD
Tel: 07 5620 1234 Fax: 07 3009 042
ACT Director:
Mr Anjelo Ratnachandra
Beyond Pain Pty Ltd
Belmont VIC 3216
Tel: 0400 202 803 Fax: N/A
NSW Director:
Dr Connor Gleadhill
Department of Health and Aged Care
Primary Care Division
Newcastle NSW 2038
Tel: 0405 203 661 Fax: N/A
NT Director:
Dr Amelia Searle
Flinders Medical Centre Pain
Management Unit
Bedford Park SA 5042
Tel: 08 8204 5499 Fax: 08 8204 5440
QLD Director:
Mrs Karla Wright
Fernvale Priceline Pharmacy
Fernvale QLD 4306
Tel: 07 5427 0695 Fax: 07 5427 0698
SA Director:
Ms Heather Gray
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Adelaide SA 5000
Email: heather.gray@sa.gov.au
TAS Director:
Mr Sinan Tejani
Launceston General Hospital
Launceston TAS 7250
Tel: 0469 967 841 Fax: N/A
VIC Director:
Mrs Alison Sim
10 South Sports Medicine
Geelong VIC 3220
Tel: 0488 988 315 Fax: N/A
WA Director:
Ms Jacintha Bell
Lifeworks Occupational Therapy
Mount Lawley WA 6050
Tel: 0451 178 880 Fax: 08 6323 3329
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Office Bearers
Immediate Past President:
Mrs Joyce McSwan
Gold Coast Primary Health Network
Persistent Pain Program, QLD and PainWISE
Tel: 0412 327 795 Fax: 07 3539 9801
SPC Chair:
Professor Kevin Keay
Department of Anatomy
University of Sydney
Sydney NSW 2006
Tel: 02 9351 4132 Fax: 02 9351 2817
IASP Liaison:
Professor Fiona Blyth AM
Sydney School of Public Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health
University of Sydney
Camperdown NSW 2006
Email: Fiona.blyth@sydney.edu.au
Communications Coordinator:
Ms Bernadette Smith
Psychology Plus
South Burnie TAS 7320
Tel: 03 6431 9959 Fax: 03 6431 9950
Newsletter Editor:
Watch this space!
Newsletter Assistant Editor:
Dr Joanne Harmon
School of Clinical and Health Sciences
University of South Australia
Adelaide SA 5000
Tel: 08 8302 1442
Scholarship/Grant Selection
Subcommittee Co-Chairs:
Emeritus Professor Maree Smith AC
Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development
