Parole che curano o che feriscono: il potere del linguaggio nella percezione del dolore – Una revisione narrativa

Scritto da

BNNFNC39

in

Healing or hurting words: the Power of Language in Pain Perception – A Narrative Review

Autori

Bonanno Francesco (Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italia)

Leonardi Giulia (Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital “G. Martino”, Messina, Italia)

Cucinotta Carmen (Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italia)

Di Dio Antonio (Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italia)

Poli Elisa (Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italia)

Saraceno Silvia (Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italia)

Cavallaro Filippo (Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italia)

Alito Angelo ((Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital “G. Martino”, Messina, Italia))

Background and aims

Pain is a complex experience with both sensory and emotional components1. Language plays a crucial role in pain perception, interpretation, and communication2. In clinical settings, particularly in rehabilitation, verbal communication plays a key role in modulating pain perception. Verbal suggestions—whether positive, negative, or neutral— can influence both pain intensity and the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of the current literature on the link between pain and word processing.

Methods

The authors searched PubMed for English articles published within the last ten years using the keywords: “pain”, “acute pain”, “chronic pain”, “musculoskeletal pain”, “neuropathic pain”, “psychogenic pain”, “word processing”, “language”, “semantics”, “cognition”, “NLP”, “pain neuroscience education” and “pain perception”.

Results

The articles included analysed the impact of language on pain perception. They emphasised several key points, such as the role of words in Pain Neuroscience Education. They suggested that a multimodal approach may be necessary to achieve broader effects on the psychological and functional aspects of pain. They also discussed the influence of verbal suggestions and showed that vocal cues can elicit empathic responses and reduce perceived pain. Finally, they highlighted the connection between pain and cognition. They demonstrated how positive expectations, shaped by language prior to a painful stimulus, can trigger nocebo effects.

Conclusion

Pain has a dual nature, involving both physical-biological and mental-cognitive dimensions, both influenced by language. Approaches such as Pain Neuroscience Education use language to educate patients about the neurophysiological basis of pain, helping to reshape their understanding and alleviate the emotional burden of chronic pain. Physiotherapists, as pivotal figures in pain management, can utilize both verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to improve treatment outcomes, enhance placebo effects, and reduce nocebo responses.

REFERENCES

  1. Pain terms: a list with definitions and notes on usage. Recommended by the IASP Subcommittee on Taxonomy. Pain. 1979 Jun;6(3):249.
  2. Swannell ER, Brown CA, Jones AK, Brown RJ. Some Words Hurt More Than Others: Semantic Activation of Pain Concepts in Memory and Subsequent Experiences of Pain. J Pain. 2016 Mar;17(3):336-49. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.11.004. Epub 2015 Dec 8

Altri articoli