Centre for Pain Research (CPR)

We explore pain, in its many forms, and conduct research that’s focused on improving the lives of people affected by it.

What is the Centre for Pain Research (CPR)?

Who we are: We are a collection of interdisciplinary researchers and clinicians with the shared goal of enhancing society’s understanding and treatment and management of acute and chronic pain.

What we do: Our research is focused on how pain — including experimental pain, acute, and chronic pain — impacts people. With expertise that spans the psychological, biological, and social mechanisms of pain, we're committed to discovering, enhancing, and delivering effective interventions and clinical outcomes that improve quality of life for everyone. We adopt a lifespan approach, focusing on the impacts of pain across all age groups.

Why we matter: Our research advances theory, influences healthcare practice, and shapes clinical practice and policy. Ultimately, we aim to reduce the global burden of pain for everyone.

An abstract illustration of a person in pain made up of red and blue shapes

Research themes

We research different types of pain experienced by people of all ages.

Our research spans the psychosocial factors of pain — including cognitions, emotions, behaviours, and broader social aspects — and cover a wide range of themes, including:

Attention, memory, and appraisal
Understanding the lived experience of pain
Treatment innovation and evaluation
Transitions between pain states
The impact of pain on work, life and education
Social and family influences
The provision of care for those who experience pain.
How pain is communicated by those who live with pain and others (for example, clinicians)

As well as this, we are always interested in talking to people with interests outside of these areas.

An abstract illustration of people in pain made up of light blue shapes

CPR spotlight

Bath psychology, digital behaviour, and pain research supporting children and young people

Read more about our pioneering solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people.

We're looking at how people perceive pain and how others affect that as well as wider social and environmental influences.

How does period pain impact school life?

How do periods and period pain influence the school lives of UK teenage girls? Working with Wellbeing of Women, Dr Abbie Jordan and her team are hoping to find out.

News

Read our latest research news.

Treating chronic pain early: psychological therapies rewire the brain and relieve suffering

Psychologist offering virtual therapy sessions for mental health support.

A landmark review shows cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) reduces the emotional burden of pain and makes measurable changes in brain activity.

How does period pain impact school life?

A young woman clutching her mid section as if in pain.

Dr Abbie Jordan spoke to Wellbeing of Women about research at Bath into how periods and period pain affect the school lives of teenage girls in the UK.

International Review finds lack of evidence to endorse clinical use of medical cannabis for pain

New evidence from Bath’s Centre for Pain Research challenges the effectiveness of cannabis-based medicine for treating chronic pain in adults and children.

Netflix trivialising teenagers’ pain – new study

Woman watching netflix on big screen at home

New analysis of adolescent TV and film on Netflix suggests that too often it shows misleading depictions of pain.

CBD products don’t ease pain and are potentially harmful – new study finds

There is no evidence that CBD products reduce chronic pain, and taking them is a waste of money and potentially harmful to health, new research finds.

Empowering Autistic Teens: New Clinician Advice for Navigating Chronic Pain

Storm sky with lightning and sun on the background of the silhouette of a man. Concept on the theme of the struggle between good and evil or the theme of medicine (migraine and headache pain ). Health and pain.

New guidance from The University of Bath could help autistic adolescents living with chronic pain, get better treatment.

Working with us

We have sustained partnerships and collaborations with a wide range of academic and non-academic organisations, both in the UK and internationally.

Our partners include:

NHS organisations, and national and international universities interested in pain research
Charities, such as Arthritis UK and the Medical Research Foundation
UKRI funding bodies
Non-government organisations (NGOs) interested in delivering and improving pain management in conflict zones and menstrual pain management in Nepal
Start-up companies interested in health innovation and delivery for people with pain

We are interested in hearing from researchers, clinicians, people with lived experience of pain, as well as anyone interested in our research.

Please get in touch with Dr Lisa Austin (l.austin@bath.ac.uk) if you want to speak to us.

An illustration of a person experiencing pain, made up of different coloured shapes

About us

The Bath Centre for Pain Research (CPR) was established in 2008. We provide leadership in research and clinical development in the areas of pain and pain management.