Cognition refers to the brain’s capacity to gather, handle, retain, and recall information. Pain, perceived as distressing sensory or emotional sensations, necessitates cognitive processing for conscious awareness. Cognitive function significantly influences pain assessment by involving the learning and remembering of past encounters. Research suggests a potential connection between the neural systems for cognition and pain processing, with studies highlighting a link between pain and cognitive decline.
PainSA is a chapter of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Our mission is to improve all aspects of pain management in Southern Africa.
We are a multidisciplinary society whose membership includes all healthcare professionals