Research areas

 Our group dedicates most of its time and resources to the study of pediatric pain, that is, the pain problems experienced by children and adolescents. Pediatric pain is a largely unrecognised problem, which is probably why it has been ignored in the country's research plans.All available reports indicate that pediatric pain is very poorly attended, and even undertreated.

Despite the wide availability of treatments that have proven effective, most young people with chronic pain problems do not receive these treatments, primarily due to the lack of clinics trained in adequately managing these problems as well as to the limited resources of the public health system. Exploring alternatives to ensure that these already empirically proven treatments are effectively applied to the users that need them is therefore of fundamental importance. The development of ICT opens up possibilities that were not that long ago unthinkable in treating health problems in general, and chronic pain in particular. The researchers at ALGOS are working towards developing technologies that facilitate or strengthen the current treatments available for pain sufferers.

 Pain is a complex experience, resulting from the interaction of multiple factors. Knowing these factors, their weight, and influence, both in acute and chronic pain, is essential for designing more efficient (both preventive and palliative) treatment protocols. ALGOS is particularly interested in the role played by psychosocial factors, and more specifically in cognitive processes. Photo courtesy of Jakie.                                                                                                                                         

We support movements that promote the use of scientifically validated treatments, known everywhere as evidence-based medicine and psychological treatments with empirical support; It motivates us to help identify and contrast techniques and strategies that help people to enjoy a better quality of life. In this sense, we have also integrated the new information and communication technologies into traditional treatment programs, as a way to make these treatments reach more people, and become more economical. We would like this knowledge to be available to the greatest number of people (patients and professionals) and that everyone could use it at the lowest possible cost.

In our country, we must make an effort to have reliable and reliable instruments of measurement. An economical and very useful way is to translate and validate already available instruments that have previously shown their validity. That is why we are dedicated to the validation of pain measurement instruments and other related aspects. At the same time, we are also working on the development of new evaluation tools.