IASP is sponsoring a series of half-day Refresher Courses on Sunday, August 29. The registration fee includes the course, syllabus, and a coffee break. Refresher Course attendees must register for the Congress (either one-day or full registration) and pay a separate registration fee for each Refresher Course attended.

Morning Sessions (08:30–12:00):

RC 01: Neurobiology of Acute and Persistent Pain (Mike Salter, Frank Porreca)
Educational Objectives: 1) To provide information on the normal function and pathobiology of primary afferent nociceptors. 2) To discuss nociceptive processing and neuroplasticity in the spinal dorsal horn. 3) To describe current understanding and concepts in neuron-glia and neuron-immune cell interactions in acute and chronic experimental pain models. 4) To describe brain neural networks involved in nociceptive processing and how these networks change in chronic pain. 5) To discuss descending inhibitory and excitatory control mechanisms, and their role in chronic pain.

RC 02: Cancer Pain: From Mechanisms to Treatment (Sebastiano Mercadante, Allen Burton, Anthony Dickenson)
Educational Objectives: 1) To provide information about the different mechanisms of cancer pain and the possible pharmacological response, based on experimental models. 2) To provide data about the current treatment of cancer pain on the basis of recent literature. 3) To report on how to manage opioids in different clinical circumstances. 4) To discuss how to manage difficult pain situations. 5) To discuss the possible role of interventional procedures in the treatment of cancer pain, based on available evidence and clinical experience.

RC 03: The Basics of Brain Imaging (Irene Tracey, Giandomenico Iannetti, Petra Schweinhardt)
Educational Objectives: 1) To understand the technical and methodological aspects of the different imaging methodologies and their pros/cons for pain research in normals and patients. 2) To learn about fMRI and other MR-related measures, such as quantitative cerebral blood flow, morphometry, tractography and spectroscopy. 3) To understand how to use MEG and EEG to assess the temporal aspects of pain perception and how the modulation of this experience via peripheral or central mechanisms leads to potential surrogate measures. 4) To understand how to use PET to image the neurochemistry of the human brain in different pain states, focusing particularly on the opioidergic and dopaminergic systems.

RC 04: From Basic Science to Management of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain (Lars Arendt-Nielsen, Cesar Fernandez-de-las-Peñas, Bruce Kidd)
Educational Objectives: 1) To introduce the different aspects of pain from musculoskeletal structures and discuss differences and similarities. 2) To give an overview on the basic mechanisms underlying central facilitation and learn about the processes involved in the transition from acute to chronic musculoskeletal pain. 3) To learn how mechanisms of central nociception can be evaluated and pharmacologically modulated in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. 4) To give an update on recent and ongoing investigations on altered modulation processes in chronic pain patients and how they can be modulated pharmacologically and using other manual techniques. 5) To discuss how treatments can be tailored to individual patients. 6) To look at future possibilities for quantitatively assessing mechanisms involved in chronic musculoskeletal pain and future treatment options.

RC 05: Utility and Development of Pain Models: Animals to Humans (Martin Schmelz, Karin Petersen, Gary Bennett)
Educational Objectives: 1) To link animal and human pain models to clinically relevant aspects of pain patients. 2) To be introduced to the main animal pain models used for acute and chronic, inflammatory and neuropathic, somatic and visceral pain. 3) To be updated on the pharmacological characterization in pain models involving peripheral and central sensitization and the use of experimental pain models in pain patients. 4) To discuss translational aspects of various pain models. 5) To position participants to critically judge the chances and limitations of experimental pain models, including translational aspects of animal and human models, but also from pain models to actual pain patients.

RC 06: Basics, Management and Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Ralf Baron, J. J. van Hilten, Lorimer Moseley)
Educational Objectives: 1) To understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying pain and other symptoms in CRPS and know the categories of clinical signs/symptoms that are important for diagnosis; 2) To know pharmacological approaches to treat the pain in CRPS; 3) To understand motor dysfunctions in CRPS; 4) To be aware of the indications, techniques, and potential complications of intrathecal therapies in CRPS; and 5) To understand the sensory-motor incongruence theory and the fundamental importance of physical and occupational therapy in treatment for CRPS.

RC 07: Orofacial Pain and Headache (Antoon De Laat, Peter Goadsby, Joanna Zakrzewska)
Educational Objectives: 1) To transfer state-of-the-art knowledge on the etiological and risk factors involved in orofacial muscle and joint pain as part of a temporomandibular disorder. 2) To reiterate current techniques in clinical and technical diagnosis, classification issues, and management strategies for orofacial joint and muscle pain. 3) To update attendees on current pathophysiology of migraine, present the latest therapeutic options in migraine, and review differential diagnosis of migraine as it affects facial pain. 4) To distinguish between various neuropathic pains encountered in the trigeminal region based on their current diagnostic criteria and potential investigations. 5) To appreciate and apply the new evidence-based international guidelines on management of trigeminal neuralgia and neuropathic pain to clinical practice.

RC 08: Pain Psychology for Non-Psychologists (Johannes Vlaeyen, Frank Keefe, Amanda C. de C. Williams)
Educational Objectives: 1) To learn about multi-method assessment of pain and pain disability, such as core issues in assessing subjective experiences, how pain disability/function scales are developed, and major problems that arise. 2) To discuss the route to follow from deciding on patients, treatment, and aims of intervention to selecting methods of evaluating pain and disability at baseline and as outcomes. 3) To learn about the conceptual basis for psychosocial approaches to pain management. 4) To learn about psychosocial intervention protocols, pain coping skills, training protocols based on cognitive-behavioral principles, emotional disclosure protocols, and partner- and family-assisted approaches. 5) To discuss the theoretical background of fear learning mechanisms in relation to chronic pain, assessment methods/instruments for pain-related fear, and fear-reduction techniques, and explore attitudes about chronic musculoskeletal pain.

RC 09: Persistent Postoperative Pain: Pathogenic Mechanisms and Preventive Strategies (Henrik Kehlet, William Macrae, Audun Stubhaug)
Educational Objectives: 1) To define the nature, incidence, and consequences of persistent postsurgical pain. 2) To review pathogenic mechanisms based on clinical data. 3) To review preventive and treatment strategies. 4) To discuss detailed procedure-specific data. 5) To focus predominantly on clinical data, but also on experimental data, where appropriate.

Afternoon Sessions (13:00–16:30):

RC 10: Clinical Pharmacology: Evidence-Based Guidelines and Defining the Proper Outcome (Ian Gilron, Eija Kalso, Raymond Dionne)
Educational Objectives: 1) To review the multiple mechanisms and actions of NSAIDs in humans for analgesic applications and strategies for novel targets for intervention. 2) To review the basic pharmacology of opioids, their putative mechanisms of action, clinical pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. 3) To review the basic pharmacology of antidepressants and anticonvulsants with respect to their putative mechanisms of analgesic action.

RC 11: Pain Genes for Unraveling Pain: A Course for Non-Geneticists (Marshall Devor, Luda Diatchenko, Michel Ferrari)
Educational Objectives: 1) To know why many believe that the study of pain genetics can contribute to a better understanding of pain mechanisms and pain management. 2) To understand the concept of a “pain gene”; distinguish between gene variants that affect susceptibility to diseases that may be painful and gene variants that affect the amount of pain felt given a uniform pathology. 3) To understand the difference between rare familial mutations that cause painful disease, and common genetic variants (genetic “polymorphisms”) that affect the likelihood of developing a painful disease. 4) To be familiar with the meaning of the saying: “common variant—common disease; rare variant—common disease” and with painful clinical diagnoses in which an important genetic contribution is well established. 5) To understand potential future clinical applications of pain genetics including pharmacogenetics, gene-based diagnostics and prognostics, and gene-based therapy.

RC 12: Neuropathic Pain: From Basic Mechanisms to Clinical Management (Troels Staehelin Jensen, Per Hansson, Anthony Dickenson)
Educational Objectives: 1) To understand some of the mechanisms that contribute to pain after peripheral nerve injury and have knowledge of the mode of action of drugs shown to be effective in patients with neuropathic pain. 2) To be aware that damage to peripheral nerves can lead to changes at peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal sites and know some of the potential sites of action of future drugs in the treatment of neuropathic pain. 3) To learn about diagnostic criteria and work-up of neuropathic pain and the clinical phenomenology of neuropathic pain, with special emphasis on assessment of somatosensory dysfunctions. 4) To have knowledge on differential diagnostic issues related to neuropathic pain and relevant endpoints for successful management of neuropathic pain. 5) To learn about the current evidence of neuropathic pain treatment, be aware of the ongoing discussion about a suggested mechanism-based treatment approach, and learn about future treatment perspectives.

RC 13: Interventional Therapies for Acute and Chronic Pain: Indications and Efficacy (James P. Rathmell, Brian Ilfeld, Mark Wallace)
Educational Objectives: 1) To discuss the scientific evidence regarding use of continuous regional analgesic techniques in the perioperative management of patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty and the effects of perioperative outcomes. 2) To discuss the scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of new and emerging minimally-invasive treatments for spine-related pain, including radiofrequency treatment intradiscal therapies. 3) To discuss the scientific evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of intrathecal drug delivery for the treatment of cancer-related and noncancer pain.

RC 14: Pain and Addiction - Optimizing Outcome, Reducing Risk (Roman D. Jovey, Seddon Savage, Jonathan Bannister)
Educational Objectives: 1) To update knowledge on the neurobiology of addiction and the potential overlap with the neurobiology of chronic pain. 2) To review the appropriate definitions of addiction in patients with pain on opioid therapy. 3) To discuss practical office-based screening strategies to categorize a patient’s risk for misusing opioids. 4) To use “Universal Precautions” to structure optimum care for high risk patients. 5) To demonstrate the “real world” application of this information in the management of patients with pain.

RC 15: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Persistent Abdominal/Pelvic Pain (Emeran Mayer, Fred Howard, Kirsten Tillisch)
Educational Objectives: 1) To provide an update on the latest pathophysiological concepts regarding persistent pain syndromes related to the abdomen and pelvis. 2) To inform the audience about diagnostic approaches to and management of persistent pelvic pain. 3) To inform the audience about diagnostic approaches to and management of common abdominal pain syndromes, such as irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia and chronic abdominal pain syndrome.

RC 16: The Basics, Management and Treatment of Low Back Pain (Paul Watson, Chris Main, Robert Smeets)
Educational Objectives: 1) To review the evidence for screening to inform treatment decision making in low back pain. 2) To identify effective early interventions for secondary prevention of chronic back pain related disability. 3) To identify the health care and workplace barriers to successful work reintegration. 4) To review the evidence for the use of exercise and combined exercise and cognitive behavioral interventions in the management of chronic low back pain. 5) To present a best-evidence synthesis for group interventions for chronic low back pain. 6) To present the patient’s perspective of the health care practitioner as a facilitator of return to work. 7) To present models of workplace reintegration for return to work and retention in work for those with back pain. 8) To identify an integrated approach for employer, patient, and provider to maximize successful work retention and rehabilitation.

RC 17: The Basics, Management and Treatment of Pain in Children (Denise Harrison, Maria Fitzgerald, Christiane Hermann)
Educational Objectives: 1) To gain an understanding of the continuum of pain in the developing fetus, premature newborns, older infants and children. 2) To understand the development of pain mechanisms, experiences, and effects and review the management of early pain in newborn infants. 3) To explore the psychological management of pain in older children.

RC 18: Preclinical and Clinical Challenges in Drug Development (Andrew Rice, John Huggins, Steve Quessy)
Educational Objectives: 1) To describe the general processes and terminology of drug development and registration. 2) To identify key hurdles for drug development success. 3) To understand the main challenges in preclinical development, using information from animal models to select clinical drug candidates, and deciding which patient groups to test them in and how. 4) To understand the value of translational models and markers, including pharmacodynamic and mechanism-based human models. 5) To critically appraise current approaches and trends in clinical trial design. 6) To identify the most promising areas for improvement in the analgesic development process.