Moving Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: Charting a Path to Personalized Nonpharmacological and Noninvasive Chronic Pain Management - Perspectives

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Ophelia

One-size-fits-all opioid treatment for chronic pain can weaken effectiveness and increase adverse effects. This paper examines personalized nonpharmacological, noninvasive chronic pain care as a way to reduce risk and optimize outcomes for each patient. It defines personalized treatment, highlights the importance of tailoring, and presents strategies for personalization across and within patients. It summarizes empirical findings, notes remaining scientific gaps, and recommends robust trials and meta-analyses comparing personalized versus non-personalized approaches.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Journal of Pain Research Open Access Full Text Article PERSPECTIVES Moving Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: Charting a Path to Personalized Nonpharmacological and Noninvasive Chronic Pain Management Qiang Xie 1–3 , Simon B Goldberg 2 , 3 , Nora Jacobson 4 , 5 , David Rakel 1 , Andrew Quanbeck 1 1Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, USA; 2Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, USA; 3Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, USA; 4Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, USA; 5School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, USA Correspondence: Qiang Xie, Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 335 Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI, 53706, USA, Tel +1 608-421-9632, [Email qiang.xie@wisc.edu](Email qiang.xie@wisc.edu) | Abstract: One-size-fits-all opioid treatment for chronic pain may undermine treatment effectiveness and cause adverse effects. We explore personalized nonpharmacological and noninvasive chronic pain treatment as a promising approach to minimize these risks and optimize outcomes for each patient. Our paper introduces the definition of personalized treatment, emphasizes the significance of intervention personalization, and outlines strategies for inter-and intra-patient personalization in chronic pain management. We also discuss empirical studies on personalized chronic pain treatment. Research has shown a variety of strategies for personalizing nonpharmacological and noninvasive chronic pain treatment. These strategies have demonstrated the potential to improve effectiveness. However, many critical scientific questions remain unanswered. To fully harness the potential of personalized nonpharmacological and noninvasive chronic pain treatment, future research should conduct robust clinical trials and meta-analyses comparing personalized and non-personalized chronic pain interventions, examine diverse personalization approaches, incorporate ecological momentary assessment into outcomes assessment, leverage digital technologies, engage patients in treatment design, and assess factors influencing the implementation of personalized chronic pain treatment.
Keywords: chronic pain, persistent pain, personalized intervention, precision medicine, personalized medicine | | --- | | Introduction
Chronic pain is commonly defined as pain lasting or recurring for more than 3 to 6 months.1 Chronic pain is a pervasive health challenge that detrimentally impacts individuals and society. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in five adults in the United States (US) experienced chronic pain between 2019 and 2021.2 The significance of chronic pain is multifaceted. Beyond the physical suffering it inflicts, it is associated with diminished quality of life, impaired functioning in work and social life, and emotional distress.3–5 On the societal level, chronic pain imposes substantial economic burdens through healthcare expenses and lost productivity.6 Considering the individual suffering and societal impact inflicted by chronic pain, there is an imperative to develop effective interventions for its management.
Historically, physicians have often used opioid-based treatments as a uniform solution to treat chronic pain.7 Opioids may provide short-term relief for chronic pain.8 However, excessive reliance on opioids has been linked to a spectrum of adverse consequences, including the risk of opioid misuse, dependence, addiction, and overdose deaths.9–11 These outcomes not only exact a devastating toll on individuals and their families but also incur substantial economic costs.12 Furthermore, opioids are not universally effective for all patients experiencing chronic pain. In the case of specific chronic pain conditions, suc

FAQs

Why is a one-size-fits-all opioid approach problematic for chronic pain management?

The paper explains that it may undermine treatment effectiveness and lead to adverse outcomes, including risks related to opioid misuse, dependence, addiction, and overdose, while also not being effective for all patients.

What does the paper mean by personalized chronic pain treatment?

Personalized treatment refers to tailoring nonpharmacological, noninvasive interventions to the specific needs and characteristics of each patient, rather than using uniform care for everyone.

What strategies and research needs does the paper highlight for advancing personalization?

It summarizes existing strategies showing potential benefits, while stressing that major scientific questions remain, calling for robust clinical trials and meta-analyses and for exploring diverse personalization approaches, including digital tools and patient involvement in treatment design.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Ophelia