Treatment of pain following cancer: applying neuro-immunology in rehabilitation practice

AbstractAim: Pain is the second most frequent persistent symptom following cancer treatment. This article aims at explaining how the implementation of contemporary pain neuroscience can benefit rehabilitation for adults following cancer treatment within an evidence-based perspective.Materials and methods: Narrative review.Results: First, pain education is an effective but underused strategy for treating cancer related pain. Second, our neuro-immunological understanding of how stress can influence pain highlights the importance of integrating stress management into the rehabilitation approach for patients having cancer-related pain. The latter is supported by studies that have examined the effectiveness of various stress management programmes in this population. Third, poor sleep is common and linked to pain in patients following cancer treatment. Sleep deprivation results in a low-grade inflammatory response and consequent increased sensitivity to pain. Cognitive behavioural therapy for sleep difficulties...