David S. Caldwell

Our current efforts are a continuation of our research evaluating the utility of cognitive behavioral methods for assessing and treating pain. Ultimately it is our hope to help patients more effectively cope with long term demands of chronic and disabling pain due to both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Our current research in osteoarthritis is to examine physiological and psychological responses to noxious stimuli in men and women with osteoarthritis. We hope to learn more about differences in pain perception in men vs. women as well as any racial difference that may exist. In addition, we hope to learn more specifically the possible mechanism of these gender differences in individuals with osteoarthritis.

Patients with RA are faced with the task of coping with numerous major life stresses associated with their disease and often experience emotional distress related to disruptions in their health, work, family and marital functioning. With recognition of the psychosocial effects of RA has come increased interest in psychosocial approaches to treatment. The long range goal of our research here is to reduce the pain, psychological disability, and physical disability experienced by patients having rheumatoid arthritis. The study underway continues our research on psychosocial interventions for arthritis and is designed to test the hypothesis that a clinician - assisted emotional disclosure protocol can improve the long term functional status of patients with RA.