8 September 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EDT

Free to IASP members; Non-members $25 USD

This webinar is the third in a series on Artificial Intelligence.

ML/AI approaches are currently redrawing statistics, as they demonstrate an ability to separate complex data finding unpredicted patters. This opens up new research routes, and promises advancements especially in a field like pain, where in- and outputs are complex and multifaceted.

Speakers:

Allison Barry, MSc, PhD, University of Vienna, Austria
Daniel Segelcke, PhD, University of Munster, Germany

9 September 2025 at 2:00 p.m. EDT
Free to IASP Members; $25 USD Non-Members (click here to become an IASP Member)

Sponsored by the Musculoskeletal Pain SIG

Musculoskeletal pain and sleep disturbances are highly prevalent conditions that frequently co-occur, significantly impacting individuals' quality of life, mood, functional capacity, and overall well-being. While it is well-established that these two issues often present together, the intricate nature of their relationship, including the underlying mechanisms and optimal treatment strategies, continues to be an area of active investigation. This webinar will explore the current state of knowledge regarding the interactions between sleep and musculoskeletal pain.

Moderated by: David Rice, Auckland University of Technology and North Shore Hospital, Auckland

Speaker 1: The bidirectional relationship between sleep problems and musculoskeletal pain, Nils Runge Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) and sleep disturbances are frequently observed together and are often described as having a bidirectional relationship. However, much of what we know about this co-occurrence stems from observational research, where sleep problems and disorders are defined and measured in diverse ways, limiting the generalizability of findings. These inconsistencies contribute to wide variation in reported prevalence rates and complicate efforts to compare results across studies. This presentation will explore the current epidemiological evidence on sleep problems, particularly in the context of CMP. It will highlight what is well established, where important gaps remain, and how challenges related to terminology, definitions, and measurement continue to shape our understanding and limit cross-study comparability.

Speaker 2: Sleep and Affective Function in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain , Patrick Finan, University of Virginia, USA

Sleep disturbance is associated with elevated pain sensitivity and clinical pain, and recent studies suggest that affective function may be a key mechanism underlying that association. This talk will cover laboratory and field-based evidence supporting the roles of both resilience (e.g., positive affect) and vulnerability (e.g., pain catastrophizing) factors that characterize the association of sleep and pain. The Sleep-Reward-Pain model will be discussed and data will be presented that links the interrelations of sleep, affect, and pain to prescription opioid use.

Speaker 3: Current treatments for sleep problems in musculoskeletal pain: An overview, Liesbet De Baets, KU Leuven, Belgium

Sleep problems are highly prevalent in people with musculoskeletal pain and can significantly impact physical functioning, pain and recovery. Despite growing recognition of their importance, sleep issues often remain underdiagnosed and undertreated in this population. In this talk, current treatment strategies for sleep disturbances in musculoskeletal pain will be discussed and the evidence supporting them will be examined. Special attention will be given to how sleep management can be personalized—not only in relation to pain, but also considering comorbid sleep conditions such as sleep apnea and circadian rhythm disorders.

16 September 2025 at 8:00 a.m. EDT (This session will be offered again at 6:00 p.m. EDT)

Session 1: 8:00 AM EDT / 5:00 AM PDT / 2:00 PM CEST / 8:00 PM SGT / 10:00 PM AEST

This event is for early career researchers in pain science –  whether you’re a student, postdoc, or within the last 5 years of your terminal degree, you’re invited to join and connect!

Join us for a fun and global digital networking event for early career researchers organized by the IASP Early Career Network (ECN)! This is an initiative to foster peer-to-peer relationships for early career members within the pain research community. Each participant will do a brief introduction (~60 seconds) with an optional template PowerPoint slide to help you get going. Breakout rooms grouped by research themes will give you the chance to connect more deeply with others who share your interests. Expect a relaxed and welcoming environment where everyone is encouraged to participate. 

There are two sessions, so that everyone from all time zones can join!

This webinar provides an excellent opportunity to:

• Meet peers and grow your international network
• Practice your networking skills in a relaxed and supportive environment
• Connect with potential collaborators, mentors, and future colleagues — and maybe make an international friend to get coffee with at the next conference!

Register today to reserve your place! This webinar will not be recorded due to the interactive nature and use of breakout rooms. Registration is limited to 50 people. If you register and cannot make it, please be sure to cancel.

Let’s make the next pain conference a little less anonymous - and a lot more connected!

16 September 2025 at 6:00 p.m. EDT (This session is also offered at 8:00 a.m. EDT on 16 September)

Session 2: 6:00 PM EDT / 3:00 PM PDT / 12:00 AM CEST (+1) / 6:00 AM SGT (Sept 17) / 8:00 AM AEST (Sept 17)

This event is for early career researchers in pain science –  whether you’re a student, postdoc, or within the last 5 years of your terminal degree, you’re invited to join and connect!

Join us for a fun and global digital networking event for early career researchers organized by the IASP Early Career Network (ECN)! This is an initiative to foster peer-to-peer relationships for early career members within the pain research community. Each participant will do a brief introduction (~60 seconds) with an optional template PowerPoint slide to help you get going. Breakout rooms grouped by research themes will give you the chance to connect more deeply with others who share your interests. Expect a relaxed and welcoming environment where everyone is encouraged to participate. 

There are two sessions, so that everyone from all time zones can join!

This webinar provides an excellent opportunity to:

• Meet peers and grow your international network
• Practice your networking skills in a relaxed and supportive environment
• Connect with potential collaborators, mentors, and future colleagues — and maybe make an international friend to get coffee with at the next conference!

Register today to reserve your place! This webinar will not be recorded due to the interactive nature and use of breakout rooms. Registration is limited to 50 people. If you register and cannot make it, please be sure to cancel.

Let’s make the next pain conference a little less anonymous - and a lot more connected!