Francis J. Keefe
Pain coping processes in persons have acute pain (e.g. pain during
mammography) and persistent pain (e.g. osteoarthritis, rheumatoid
arthritis, chronic low back pain and cancer patients.) The role of pain
coping and emotion in explaining pain and disability. Novel
psychosocial interventions (e.g. spouse-assisted coping skills
training, emotional disclosure protocols, acceptance-based
interventions, yoga- and meditation-based interventions) for patients
having disease-related, persistent pain conditions. Neurobiological
basis of coping mechanisms. Observational approaches to assessing pain
behavior. Effects of behavioral interventions on pain perception (pain
threshold and tolerance, judgments of controlled nociceptive stimuli).
Coping strategies in patients having anxiety or affective disorders.
Clinical Interests:
Psychosocial treatment of persistent pain syndromes (low back pain,
arthritic pain, temporomandibular joint pain). Treatment approaches
include biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral group therapy, individual
therapy, and spouse training. Psychological assessment of patients who
are candidates for advanced neurosurgical treatments for pain (e.g.
implanted neural stimulators, morphine pumps). Use of early
psychosocial intervention to prevent persistent pain. Behavioral
approaches to treating anxiety disorders particularly agoraphobia,
social phobias, and generalized anxiety.