On 23 April 2025, the 喵咪社区 (IASP) Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Special Interest Group (SIG) hosted 鈥淣eurocognitive Factors in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome鈥� workshop Lyon, France. The meeting took place the day before the opening of the 2025 European Pain Federation (EFIC) Congress, providing an excellent pre-congress opportunity for focused scientific exchange. The half-day workshop brought together 40 in-person participants from diverse disciplines and countries.
This CRPS SIG meeting fostered fruitful discussions and generated insightful ideas on the mechanisms underlying CRPS, particularly exploring how neurocognitive and neuropsychological factors interact with the syndrome鈥檚 development, persistence, and treatment. The format emphasized a patient-centered approach, and contributions spanned clinical, experimental, and theoretical perspectives.
The workshop featured presentations from the following invited speakers:
- Debbie Bean, PhD (Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand) presented on the role of cognitive-emotional factors in CRPS and how they influence rehabilitation outcomes, emphasizing patient-centered and functional goals in pain management.
- Marc-Henri Louis, MD (Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium) discussed neuroimaging and clinical insights into central nervous system alterations in CRPS, with a focus on how brain plasticity and sensorimotor integration are affected.
- Violetta Dimova, PhD (University Medical Center, Germany) addressed sensory processing alterations in CRPS, particularly central sensitization and perceptual disturbances, and their link to clinical symptoms.
- Jenny Lewis, PhD (University of the West of England and Royal United Hospitals, Bath, UK) spoke about cognitive-behavioral and occupational therapy approaches for CRPS, integrating insights from clinical research and practice.
- Hannah Stott, PhD (University of Bath and NHS Somerset Foundation Trust, UK) shared preliminary findings on attentional and emotional processing in individuals with CRPS, with a focus on clinical implications for psychological assessment and support.
- Marc Aureli Pique Batalla (Royal United Hospitals, Bath, and University of the West of England, UK) presented data from clinical physiotherapy practice on sensorimotor rehabilitation strategies in CRPS, with patient case studies highlighting challenges and progress.
- Lieve Filbrich, PhD (KU Leuven and UCLouvain, Belgium) discussed neuropsychological aspects of body representation and attention in CRPS, linking experimental findings to clinical phenomena such as neglect-like symptoms.
- Laure Pisella, PhD (French Institute of Health and Medical Research, France) presented on visuospatial and cognitive distortions in CRPS, drawing from her research on perceptual and motor integration in chronic pain.
- Gudrun Kindl, MD (University Medical Center W眉rzburg, Germany) provided a clinical overview of interdisciplinary pain management approaches for CRPS, integrating pharmacological, physical, and psychological strategies.
The workshop provided an important opportunity for early-career researchers and experienced clinicians to exchange ideas, establish collaborations, and advance the shared mission of improving understanding and care in CRPS. The 2025 EFIC Congress 2025, took after the workshop from 24 to 26 April in Lyon, gathered more than 2,000 delegates from across Europe and beyond. As one of the largest European gatherings focused on pain research and clinical practice, EFIC provided a valuable backdrop for the SIG鈥檚 activities, allowing CRPS-focused conversations to continue in the broader context of pain science. This successful pre-congress meeting reflects the growing interest in interdisciplinary and translational approaches to CRPS and sets a promising foundation for future collaborative efforts within the IASP CRPS SIG.