A Story About Pain, the Brain, and You: A Theoretical Exploration of Self-Referential Processing in Narrative Pain Interventions

Abstract

There is growing research into psychological treatments for pain conditions, such as music therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based interventions. However, a unifying theoretical framework that elucidates the cognitive-emotional mechanisms underlying these treatments remains elusive. As a result, less conventional interventions such as oral narratives are not considered by the literature as potential avenues for pain management. Building upon the Cognitive Vitality Model (CVM), which initially focused on the pain-relieving properties of music, I propose an extension for its application to all psychological interventions. This is facilitated by the novel Context Machine Model, which underscores the significance of self-referential processing (SRP) and the default mode network (DMN) in elucidating how individuals engage with external stimuli through a complex interplay of physical, cognitive, and emotional processes. Using these two models, this paper aims to establish a robust theoretical link between oral storytelling, the DMN and SRP, and pain. This paper ultimately provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and further investigating the therapeutic benefits of storytelling in pain management.