Complexity theory in the management of patients with pain

Abstract

Nonlinear systems are not susceptible to being investigated with reductionist methods. In this sense, complexity theory offers an alternative approach to quantify the importance of contextual factors (CFs) in the patient with pain. The result of the positive (placebo) or negative (nocebo) use of CFs in the therapeutic setting could be responsible for a large part of a non-specific component of the efficacy of the treatment, directly affecting the quality of the results related to the patient's health (for example, pain, disability, or satisfaction). In recent years, understanding of the value of these effects has increased. Despite growing interest, knowledge, and awareness of them is currently limited and heterogeneous among health professionals, reducing their translational value in the field of health.