Health Care Workers' Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice About Chronic Pain Management, Shiraz, Iran

Nonpharmacological pain relief for labour pain: knowledge, attitude, and barriers among obstetric care providers

Background

Labor pain is considered the worst pain in a woman's life. Hence, pain control should be essential to labor management at any level. There is scarce information, and there are gaps regarding the knowledge, attitude, and barriers to the utilization of nonpharmacological approaches for pain relief in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate nonpharmacological pain relief (NPPR)-related knowledge, attitudes, and barriers among obstetric care providers in Najran, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional analytical study was performed at maternity departments in Maternal and Children Hospital (MCH), Najran, Saudi Arabia, from April 1 to May 26 2023. The study involved 186 obstetric care providers (OPCs), physicians (19), nurses (144), and midwives (23). A structured self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data and involves five main sections: demographic data, work-related data, nonpharmacological pain relief-related attitude, perceived barriers, and knowledge quiz. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) along with 95% CI was estimated to determine the factors associated with nonpharmacological pain relief-related knowledge and attitude using multivariate analysis in the binary logistic regression.

Results

Over three-quarters (79%) of obstetric care providers had adequate knowledge of nonpharmacological pain relief methods. The majority (85.5%) of the participants had a positive attitude toward NPPR in labour pain management, with the mean scores ranging from 3.55-4.23 for all sub-items. Obstetric care providers acknowledged that patient belief, lack of time, and workload were the strongest barriers to offering nonpharmacological pain relief methods for labour pain 67.6%, 64.5%, and 61.3%, respectively. In binary logistic regression analysis, the in-service training related to nonpharmacological pain relief (AOR = 5.871 (2.174-15.857), p = 0.000), (AOR = 3.942 (1.926-11.380), p = 0.013) and years of work experience (AOR = 1.678 (1.080-2.564), p = 0.019), (AOR = 1.740 (1.188-2.548), p = 0.003) were significantly associated with obstetric care providers' knowledge and attitudes regarding nonpharmacological pain relief (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

Although most OPCs have adequate knowledge and a positive attitude regarding NPPR, they need motivational strategies to enhance their utilization. In addition, an effort should be made to decrease OPCs' workload to provide more time for NPPR application and patient education. Training courses and in-service training can play an important role in enhancing NPPR knowledge and attitude and, consequently, its application. Also, in each working unit, the policymakers should provide clear guidelines and policies that enhance and control the utilization of NPPR.

Level of Knowledge and Attitude Toward Acute Abdomen Among the Public: A Nationwide Study

Introduction Treatment of patients suffering from acute abdominal pain (AAP) is often challenging due to its wide range of associated illnesses, which could delay or prevent the identification of the correct diagnosis. Multiple diagnoses should be considered, particularly those in life-threatening situations needing urgent intervention. Aim This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge among the general population related to acute abdomen and which specialty should be sought for consultation in AAP situations. Subject and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population living in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to the Saudi population through the Google survey. The questionnaire included basic demographic characteristics (i.e., age, gender, etc.), perceived causes, barriers, the most common symptoms of AAP, and a five-item questionnaire to assess the general population's knowledge about AAP. Results Of the 2,703 respondents, 68.1% were females, and 42.4% were aged between 18 and 25 years old. The digestive system disorders (esophagus, stomach, intestine, and colon) were the most perceived causes that led to AAP (76.6%). The overall mean knowledge score was 1.35 (SD 1.07) out of five points. Accordingly, nearly all (87.2%) were considered to have poor knowledge, 9.5% were considered to have moderate knowledge, and only 3.3% were considered to have good knowledge. Being younger, being a male, and living in the Central Region were the factors associated with increased knowledge. Conclusion There was a lack of knowledge about AAP among the general population in Saudi Arabia. Younger age, gender males, and living in the Central Region were identified as the significant factors of increased knowledge. It is necessary to increase the knowledge of the population regarding acute abdomen. Media awareness campaigns may play a significant role in providing the necessary information to the general public.

Practice of Nonpharmacological Pain Control Strategies Among Nurses Working in Public Hospitals of West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia

Background

Nonpharmacological pain control strategies combine numerous strategies that contain nondrug measures for pain remedies for sufferers.

Objective

To assess the practice of nonpharmacological pain control strategies among nurses working in public hospitals of West Arsi zone, Ethiopia, 2022.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed from April 15 to May 30, 2022. The total sample size was 422 and a simple random sampling technique was used. Data were entered using Epi-information 4.6 version and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Multicollinearity was checked by considering the variance inflation factor and tolerance. The goodness of fit test was done using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit check. Binary logistic regression analysis was done and variables with a p-value of < 0.25 within the bivariable analysis were taken into the multivariable analysis. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value of < 0.05 with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Result

The practice of nonpharmacological pain control strategies was 53.8% (95% CI: 48.9-58.7). Age of 30-39 years old (AOR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.34-3.86), educational status bachelor's degree (AOR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.47-4.45), marital status married (AOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.28-0.73), and having training (AOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.23-3.17) were found to be significantly associated with practice of nonpharmacological pain control strategies.

Conclusion

About five in 10 nurses working in West Arsi zone public hospitals had good practice of nonpharmacological pain control strategies. Age, educational status, marital status, and training were found to be significantly associated with practice. Therefore, improving the educational status of nurses through various opportunities such as continued professional development and regular updating, and training nurses about methods may increase the nurses' practice toward nonpharmacological pain control strategies.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Associated Factors towards Nonpharmacological Pain Management among Nurses Working at Amhara Region Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, Ethiopia

Background

Nonpharmacological pain management refers to providing pain management intervention that does not involve the use of drugs. Effective management of a patient's pain is a vital nursing activity, and it needs a nurse's adequate pain-related knowledge and a favorable attitude. Globally, many studies stated that the lack of knowledge and unfavorable attitude of nurses towards nonpharmacological pain management was the prevailing persistent challenge.

Objective

To assess knowledge, attitude, and associated factors towards nonpharmacological pain management among nurses working in Amhara region Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, Ethiopia, 2021.

Method

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 30, 2021. A total of 845 nurses were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected by using a pretested self-administered structured questionnaire. Then, data were checked, coded, and entered into Epi Info version 7.0 and exported to SPSS version 25.0 software for analysis.

Results

A total of 775 nurses participated in this study, with a response rate of 91.8%. Of the total participants, 54.2% (95% CI: 50.6-57.9) and 49.8% (95% CI: 46.1-53.2) of nurses had adequate knowledge and a favorable attitude, respectively. The study revealed that educational status (AOR = 3.51 (95% CI: 1.37, 8.99)), years of experience (AOR = 5.59 (95% CI: 2.86, 10.94)), working unit (AOR = 5.61 (95% CI: 2.25, 13.96)), nurse-to-patient ratio (AOR = 2.33 (95% CI: 1.44, 3.78)), and working hours (AOR = 2.15 (95% CI: 1.27, 3.62)) were significantly associated. This finding also revealed that monthly income (AOR = 4.38 (95% CI: 1.64, 11.69)), nurse-to-patient ratio (AOR = 1.89 (95% CI: 1.19, 3.01)), and nurses' adequate knowledge (AOR = 4.26 (95% CI: 2.91, 6.24)) were significantly associated with the attitude of nurses. Conclusion and Recommendations. More than half and nearly half of the nurses had adequate knowledge and a favorable attitude towards nonpharmacological pain management, respectively. Educational qualification, years of experience, working unit, nurse-to-patient ratio, and prolonged working hours per day were significantly associated with nurse's adequate knowledge. Monthly income, nurse-to-patient ratio, and nurse's knowledge were significantly associated with the attitudes of nurses. It is better to give attention to reviewing the nursing curriculum, achieving a standardized nurse-to-patient ratio, recruiting additional nurses, training, and upgrading nurses with continuing education.

Pain Management Knowledge of Nurses Working in Northwest Amhara Referral Hospitals in Ethiopia During 2018

Background

Pain is an unpleasant emotional and sensory experience that is associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Providing comfort and relief of pain of clients are the fundamental role of nurses in nursing practices. However, inadequate knowledge of appropriate pain management has been reported to be a major obstacle to implementing effective pain management by nurses.

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess knowledge of pain management techniques in nurses working in referral hospitals in northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based, cross-sectional, interviewer-administered questionnaire study of the pain treatment knowledge of 411 nurses was conducted in 2018 in Northwest Referral Hospitals in Ethiopia. The sample size was allocated to each selected referral hospital. A systematic sampling technique was used to select study participants. The descriptive data were presented in frequency tables. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were undertaken to identify associated factors to pain management knowledge of nurses. Variables with a P value < 0.05 were considered as a significant variable.

Results

Only 40.6% of nurses were judged to have had adequate knowledge regarding pain management. Number of years of training (adjusted odds ratio = 2.19; 95% CI, 1.39–3.44), prior pain education (adjusted odds ratio = 2.34; 95% CI, 1.45–3.8), and professional rank (adjusted odds ratio = 3.09; 95% CI, 1.37–6.96) were associated factors for pain management knowledge of nurses.

Conclusions

The level of many nurses’ knowledge of pain management techniques were inadequate. Lack of pain training in their institution, lack of pain education in their academic curriculum, and professional rank were predictors of these nurses’ pain management knowledge. Providing pain management training and employing higher service rank nurses are likely to result in increased nurses’ knowledge of proper pain management techniques. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2021; 82:XXX–XXX)

© 2021 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc.

Knowledge and Attitude Towards Non-Pharmacological Pain Management and Associated Factors Among Nurses Working in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State Hospitals in Western Ethiopia, 2018

BACKGROUND

Millions of people worldwide are suffering from pain. Non-pharmacological therapy has an important role in the treatment of pain and is recognized as a valuable, simple help to lower the dosage of analgesic drugs needed, decreasing the side effects, reducing drug dependency and reducing health care costs; however, knowledge and attitude of nurses greatly affect the use of non-pharmacological pain management methods.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to assess knowledge and attitude towards non-pharmacological pain management and associated factors among nurses working in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State Hospitals, western Ethiopia, 2018.

METHODS

Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1st to May 1st, 2017. Two hundred sixteen nurses were selected by using simple random sampling. Data were collected by using a pretested self-administered structured questionnaire. Collected data were checked, coded and entered to Epi-Info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used.

RESULTS

A total of 209 professional nurses participated in the study, a 96.7% response rate. This study shows that 51.2% (95% CI: 51.1-51.3) of nurses had adequate knowledge and 47% (95% CI: 46.9-47.06) of nurses had a favorable attitude towards non-pharmacological pain management. The findings reveal that level of qualification (AOR=12.2 (3.05, 48.4)), taking educational courses (AOR=7.5 (2.7, 21.24)), nurse to patient ratio (AOR=4.9 (1.64, 14.55)) and work experience were factors significantly associated with knowledge. Findings also show that nurse to patient ratio (AOR=10.36 (2.8, 38.4)), training (AOR=4.6 (1.4, 15.4)) and knowledge of non-pharmacological pain management (AOR=4.3 (1.74, 10.56)) were significantly associated with nurses' attitude to non-pharmacological pain management.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Nurses in Benishangul Gumuz regional state hospitals have unfavorable attitude, but they have relatively adequate knowledge about non-pharmacological pain management. Work experience, level of education, nurse to patient ratio and taking educational courses were associated with nurses' knowledge, and nurse to patient ratio, training, and knowledge of non-pharmacological pain management were associated with nurses' attitude. Therefore, efforts should focus on innovative educational strategies for nurses, training and achieving a 1:6 nurse to patient ratio.

Chronic non-cancer pain management by nurses in specialist pain clinics

BACKGROUND

Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is one of the major causes of disability globally, and patients who suffer from it are a complex population, which makes it difficult to provide effective care. Specialist pain clinics and nursing professionals in them are the main care providers, but there is little research conducted in this field.

AIM

To explore the attitudes and knowledge of nurses working in specialist pain clinics regarding care of CNCP patients.

METHODS

Qualitative phenomenological approach. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2017 with nurses who worked in specialist pain clinics in six hospitals in southern Spain.

RESULTS

Data analysis led to the formation of two categories, 'being trained and improving knowledge in CNCP' and 'the challenge of caring for patients with CNCP', and five subcategories.

CONCLUSION

The need for care in CNCP is not covered by nurses in all the areas it requires. Lack of time, staffing issues, and specific training in this area makes it difficult to provide care. However, some areas for improvement are proposed, such as psychological interventions, group workshops, continuous training, and multidisciplinary teams.

Nurses' Knowledge and Attitude towards Postoperative Pain Management in Ghana

Background

Pain management is a very important aspect of nursing care among postoperative patients. Deficit in the knowledge and bad attitude towards pain management among nurses remain a problem in Ghana. In order to manage pain better in the surgical wards, nurses should be well equipped with knowledge of pain assessment and management.

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to determine nurse's knowledge and attitude towards pain management among postoperative patients in surgical units in Ghana. Methodology. This study used the quantitative study approach with a descriptive cross-sectional study design. A sample of 211 nurses was recruited using the convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire regarding postoperative pain management. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and the chi-squared test were used to analyze the data using SPSS version 16.0.

Results

The mean age of the nurses was 29.77, with the youngest nurse being 23 years and oldest being 39 years. Majority (72.5%) of nurses had moderate knowledge, and 89.6% of the nurses had negative attitude towards pain management. There was no significant relationship between nurse's knowledge and years of experience as a nurse (r = −0.03, p=0.64), as well as no significant relationship between knowledge and number of years working in the surgical ward (r = 0.06, p=0.36). Also, there was no significant relationship between nurses' knowledge and nurses' attitude (r = 0.06, p=0.36). Conclusion and recommendation. The level of knowledge and attitude towards postoperative management were generally inadequate among nurses. Therefore, there is the need to implement in-service training on pain management for nurses working in the surgical units frequently.

The effect of pain management training in workshop on the knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy of pediatric nurses

Background and Aims

Pain is the fifth vital sign, and pediatric nurses plays a key role in the process of pediatric pain management. The present study aimed to determine the effect of pain management training on the knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy of pediatric nurses.

Methods

This is a quasi-experimental study including two groups of test and control. The experimental group received a workshop method with a content including (ethical aspect, physiology, assessment tools, and pharmaceutical and non-pharmacological pain management) and was not given in the control group. The PNKAS self-efficacy questionnaires was completed by the participants before and one month after the beginning of the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent T-test, Fisher exact, and Chi-square tests using SPSS version 20 software.

Results

The mean pre-test scores of knowledge and attitude in the control and experimental groups was 50.79-47.14, and after one month was 47.46-53.09, respectively, showed that, training was significantly effective in the knowledge and attitude of the experimental group (P value = 0.01). The mean pre-test score of self-efficacy in the control and experimental groups was (17.01-18.06), and one month later was 20.36-21.03 respectively. Although the self-efficacy score increased in both groups, training significantly increased the self-efficacy of pediatric nurses in the experimental group (P value <0.001).

Conclusion

Pain management training is required due to the poor knowledge of pediatric nurses and the importance of pain management in improving the quality of nursing care and the satisfaction of patients with the In addition, feeling high self-efficacy without sufficient knowledge of pain management can disrupt pediatric pain management.

Comparison of The Hospice Palliative Care Delivery Systems in Iran and Selected Countries

Background: There is an increasing demand for Hospice Palliative Care (HPC) due to the aging population, increased incidence of cancer, and other chronic diseases, as well as recent advances in care and treatment. Objectives: The present study was conducted to examine the nature and structure of HPC services and to describe and compare them in the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Australia, Japan, India, Jordan, and Iran to extract general conclusions and suggestions for developing HPC systems in Iran. Methods: In the current descriptive-comparative study, from 2018 to 2019, HPC delivery systems in the selected countries and Iran were reviewed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline, and the similarities and differences among them were explained. Results: Developing the National HPC Program and its integration into the health system are important activities. The most common source of financing is donation. The services are mainly provided to patients with cancer. Human resource development includes curriculum reform, creating specialty, subspecialty disciplines, and holding training courses. Other activities include designing national guidelines, the free access to opioids, research development, the establishment of the national information network, and the quality control programs. Iran lacks any formal structure and program of HPC services and they are provided in a scattered and very limited manner as part of general palliative services. Conclusions: HPC services are in a mediate and low level in developed countries and Iran, respectively. Before the establishment of the HPC delivery system, a complicated range of economic, social, cultural, and political factors must be considered.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Cameroonian physicians with regards to acute pain management in the emergency department: a multicenter cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Pain is the most frequent presenting complaint in patients consulting or admitted to the emergency department (ED). Thus, its acute management is often done by physicians working in the ED. These clinicians are often general practitioners and not emergency medicine physicians in resource-poor settings. Hence, a mastery of pain management by these physicians may be important in relieving acute pain. We aimed to assess the knowledge, to determine the attitudes and practices of physicians in the management of pain in EDs of Cameroon.

METHODS

We carried out a prospective cross-sectional study over 4 months in the year 2018. We enrolled all consenting physicians who were neither emergency medicine doctors nor anesthesiologists working at the EDs of five tertiary hospitals of Cameroon. Using a validated and pretested structured questionnaire, data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of acute pain management at the ED by these clinicians were studied. We used an externally validated score to assess the knowledge as either poor, insufficient, moderate or good.

RESULTS

A total of 58 physicians were included; 18 interns or residents and 39 general practitioners. Their mean age was 28.6 ± 3 years and their average number of years of practice was 2.9 years. The level of knowledge was rated "poor" in 77.6% of physicians. Being a general practitioner was significantly associated with a poor level of knowledge (p = 0.02; OR = 5.1). We found a negative and significant correlation between knowledge and years of practice (p = 0.04; r2 = 0.06). More than three-quarter (82.8%) of participants used a pain scale to evaluate the severity of pain. The most used scale was the Visual Analog Scale (56.9%). The most frequently used analgesic was paracetamol (98.3%), although only 3.5% of physicians correctly knew its half-life, delay of onset of action and duration of action.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that physicians in EDs of Cameroon have poor knowledge and suboptimal practices in pain management. General practice and a greater number of professional experience seemed to favour these attitudes. Overall, there is an urgent need for refresher courses in acute pain management for physicians working in these resource-limited EDs.

Registered Nurses’ Perception about Pain Management of Hospitalized Patients in One of the Governmental Hospitals in Dubai, UAE: A Cross-Sectional Study

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Chronic and acute pain are highly prevalent, especially among hospitalized surgical patients, patients with cancer, and general medical inpatients. More than 50% of patients experience significant pain. Health professionals’ knowledge and attitude concerning pain management have often been referred to as insufficient. This study explored the attitudes and knowledge of nurses working in one of the government hospitals in the UAE, with regard to pain management. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to examine nurses’ perception (knowledge and attitude) about pain using the Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (NKASRP). We targeted the nursing field in order to assess nurses’ perceptions of pain management. A convenience sample of 200 nurses working at one of the government hospitals in the UAE participated in this study. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Participants who scored &#x3c;75% were considered to have poor knowledge and a nonstandard attitude. Participants who scored &#x3e;75% were considered to have adequate knowledge and a positive attitude. The study revealed that the knowledge and attitude percentage means of correct answers about pain management was 61% (SD: ±11.97%; 95% CI 59.33–62.6%). Inadequate knowledge and attitude featured in 89.5% and adequate knowledge and attitude in 10.5% of all participants. Previous pain management education experience was statistically significant <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05. <b><i>Conclusion and Recommendation:</i></b> This study showed that nurses reflected an inadequate knowledge and attitude regarding pain management. Nurses’ perception about pain management was higher among younger staff than those with longer experience. Pain management education has an impact on knowledge and attitude. There is a need to follow innovative approaches in training. Pain management education is an essential part of the nursing orientation program and should be conducted throughout the year to target all nurses. New evidence-based approaches to pain management among nurses should be explored and tested, using the NKASRP as a baseline and follow-up measure.

Nurses' Knowledge and Attitude toward Pediatric Pain Management: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Pain in infants and children is often poorly assessed and managed. Although there are many studies on this subject, none have been conducted in the Arab world, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where nurses are largely expatriates.

AIMS

To examine the knowledge and attitudes of nurses working with infants and children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding pain management.

DESIGN

Descriptive cross-sectional survey.

SETTINGS

Five government hospitals in Riyadh region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS

Registered nurses caring for infants and children.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 410 nurses working at five Saudi Arabian government hospitals was surveyed using the Pediatric Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (PNKAS-Shriners Revision). Data were analyzed using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics, including Pearson correlation, independent t test, and one-way analysis tests.

RESULTS

Poor overall knowledge and attitudes regarding pediatric pain management was evident in this study. The mean correct score achieved by nurses was 18.1 ± 4.0 out of 40 or 45.2% ± 10.0% of a possible score of 100%. A weak but statistically significant correlation was found between years of pediatric nursing experience and total score (r = -0.129, p = .009).

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that intensive education on pediatric pain and its management is urgently needed for nurses working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Educational Needs on Palliative Care for Cancer Patients in Iran: A SWOT Analysis

BACKGROUND

By acceptance of palliative care as a part of health system of each country and due to increasing prevalence of cancer, special focus on stakeholder's educational needs is of vital importance so that palliative care services are improved and the quality of life of patients is enhanced. This study was conducted to explore the educational needs of stakeholders of palliative care for cancer patients in Iran.

METHODS

This qualitative study with 20 semi-structured interviews was conducted from August 2016 to February 2017 in Shohadaye Tajrish and Emam Khomeini Hospitals of Tehran. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and included cancer patients and their family caregivers as well as healthcare providers, experts and policy-makers. The data were analyzed through Conventional Content Analysis of Landman and Graneheim using MAXQDA10 software. Statements of each main category of the study were summarized in SWOT categorizes.

RESULT

A total of 546 codes were extracted from the analysis of the interviews and four main categories and four subcategories were identified. The four main identified categories included: "academic education planning", "workforce education", "public awareness", and "patient and caregiver empowerment" that contained our subcategories as follows: "strengths", "weaknesses", "opportunities" and "threats" (SWOT).

CONCLUSION

Meeting the educational needs of the stakeholders of palliative care requires policy-makers to identify the factors leading to strategies that are based on the use of opportunities, the removal of weaknesses, and coping with the threats to which the organization is faced.

Reward Circuitry Plasticity in Pain Perception and Modulation

Although pain is a widely known phenomenon and an important clinical symptom that occurs in numerous diseases, its mechanisms are still barely understood. Owing to the scarce information concerning its pathophysiology, particularly what is involved in the transition from an acute state to a chronic condition, pain treatment is frequently unsatisfactory, therefore contributing to the amplification of the chronic pain burden. In fact, pain is an extremely complex experience that demands the recruitment of an intricate set of central nervous system components. This includes cortical and subcortical areas involved in interpretation of the general characteristics of noxious stimuli. It also comprises neural circuits that process the motivational-affective dimension of pain. Hence, the reward circuitry represents a vital element for pain experience and modulation. This review article focuses on the interpretation of the extensive data available connecting the major components of the reward circuitry to pain suffering, including the nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area, and the medial prefrontal cortex; with especial attention dedicated to the evaluation of neuroplastic changes affecting these structures found in chronic pain syndromes, such as migraine, trigeminal neuropathic pain, chronic back pain, and fibromyalgia.