Biobehavioral Neuroscience and Pain Medicine: Assessment and Management of Pain
A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral Neuroscience".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 107
Special Issue Editors
2. Grupo de Investigación Clínico Docente Sobre Ciencias de la Rehabilitación (INDOCLIN), CSEU La Salle, UAM, Aravaca, 28023 Madrid, Spain
3. Unidad de Fisioterapia, Centro de Salud Entrevías, Gerencia Asistencial de Atención Primaria de la Comunidad de Madrid, 28023 Madrid, Spain
Interests: chronic pain; brain plasticity; pain assessment; pain neuroscience education; biobehavioral approach
2. Grupo de Investigación Clínico Docente Sobre Ciencias de la Rehabilitación (INDOCLIN), CSEU La Salle, UAM, Aravaca, 28023 Madrid, Spain
3. Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain, and Rehabilitation Research Group (NECODOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, URJC, Alcorcón, 28933 Madrid, Spain
Interests: chronic pain; neuromodulation; exercise; pain neurophysiology; biobehavioral approach
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Pain is a multidimensional phenomenon that emerges from complex interactions between nociceptive, affective, cognitive, and behavioral processes. Traditional biomedical models are insufficient to explain the persistence and variability of chronic pain, leading to a rise in biobehavioral neuroscience as a key framework. This perspective emphasizes how brain networks, psychological states (such as fear, attention, or mood), and motor behaviors dynamically influence pain perception and modulation.
This Special Issue aims to gather contributions that explore the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying pain, as well as their implications for assessment and management. We seek research on neuroplasticity, central sensitization, emotion–pain–motor interactions, neurobehavioral biomarkers, and the implementation of biopsychosocial models in clinical settings. Both basic and applied research are welcome, particularly studies with translational relevance.
We especially encourage submissions that leverage innovative methodologies—such as neuroimaging, QST, ecological momentary assessment, or digital tools—to capture the dynamic and individualized nature of pain. Interdisciplinary approaches that link neuroscience with rehabilitation, psychology, and digital health are particularly valued for advancing integrative pain medicine.
We welcome original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, brief reports, study protocols, and theoretical or methodological papers. Both experimental and clinical studies are encouraged, especially those that bridge neuroscience with real-world therapeutic practices. Contributions from multidisciplinary teams (e.g., neuroscience, psychology, physiotherapy, pain medicine, digital health) are particularly suitable.
Prof. Dr. Raúl Ferrer-Peña
Guest Editor
Dr. Francisco Gurdiel-Álvarez
Guest Editor Assistant
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- biobehavioral neuroscience
- chronic pain
- pain modulation
- emotion and motor control
- brain plasticity
- pain assessment
- neurobehavioral markers
- central sensitization
- behavioral interventions
- translational pain research
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
