![Associate Professor Melissa Day](/sites/default/files/profiles/11740.jpeg)
Overview
Background
I am an endorsed Clinical and Health Psychologist, and my main area of research interest is in optimising non-pharmacological treatment options for chronic pain. My program of research is primarily focused on implementing randomised controlled trials designed to evaluate the efficacy and mechanisms of cognitive-behavioural and mindfulness-based interventions for heterogeneous chronic pain conditions. My concurrent line of research aims to further our understanding of the experience of chronic pain via converging methodologies (including experimental pain paradigms and electroencephalogram), as well as advance our capacity to accurately assess its multidimensional nature. I have led the development, application, and evaluation of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for chronic pain, and I disseminated this treatment approach for research and clinical use via my sole-authored book, published by Wiley in 2017. My US-based collaborators and I have a number of on-going NIH and foundation funded treatment trials underway at the University of Washington, Seattle. I am also an Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Washington.
As of 2021, I was elected the inaugural Chairperson of the Australian SHAPE Futures EMCR Network, which is in development with the support of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and the Australian Academy of the Social Sciences. The purpose of the Network is to ensure SHAPE disciplines (Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts for People and Environment) thrive and excel in Australia, by fostering an inclusive and diverse community that supports, empowers and promotes early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) in Australia, within and beyond academia.
Availability
- Associate Professor Melissa Day is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Alabama
- Masters (Coursework), The University of Alabama
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Alabama
Research interests
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Chronic pain
Assessment and management of chronic pain
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Pain
Understanding the mechanisms of pain and its relief
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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Efficacy and mechanisms for chronic pain management
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Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
Efficacy and mechanisms for chronic pain management; adapting the literacy level of CBT for use in low-SES groups. We are currently piloting the use of Dr Beverly Thorn's literacy adapted CBT approach -- further adapted for the Australian context -- within a low-SES hospital in Logan.
Works
Search Professor Melissa Day’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Journal Article
Effects of hypnosis vs mindfulness meditation vs education on chronic pain intensity and secondary outcomes in veterans: a randomized clinical trial
Williams, Rhonda M., Day, Melissa A., Ehde, Dawn M., Turner, Aaron P., Ciol, Marcia A., Gertz, Kevin J., Patterson, David, Hakimian, Shahin, Suri, Pradeep and Jensen, Mark P. (2022). Effects of hypnosis vs mindfulness meditation vs education on chronic pain intensity and secondary outcomes in veterans: a randomized clinical trial. Pain, 163 (10), 1905-1918. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002586
2022
Journal Article
How do placebo effects contribute to mindfulness-based analgesia? Probing acute pain effects and interactions using a randomized balanced placebo design
Davies, Jonathan N., Sharpe, Louise, Day, Melissa A. and Colagiuri, Ben (2022). How do placebo effects contribute to mindfulness-based analgesia? Probing acute pain effects and interactions using a randomized balanced placebo design. Pain, 163 (10), 1967-1977. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002593
2022
Book Chapter
Psychological interventions: A focus on cognitive-behavioral therapy
Day, Melissa A. and Thorn, Beverly E. (2022). Psychological interventions: A focus on cognitive-behavioral therapy. Clinical pain management: a practical guide. (pp. 272-281) edited by Mary E. Lynch, Kenneth D. Craig and Philip W. Peng. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781119701170.ch26
2022
Journal Article
Pain medication beliefs mediate the relationship between pain catastrophizing and opioid prescription use in patients with chronic non-cancer pain
Elphinston, Rachel A., Sullivan, Michael J. L., Sterling, Michele, Connor, Jason. P., Baranoff, John A., Tan, Dylan and Day, Melissa A. (2022). Pain medication beliefs mediate the relationship between pain catastrophizing and opioid prescription use in patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Journal of Pain, 23 (3), 379-389. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.08.009
2022
Journal Article
Understanding pain treatment mechanisms: a new direction in outcomes research
Day, Melissa A. and Jensen, Mark P. (2022). Understanding pain treatment mechanisms: a new direction in outcomes research. Pain, 163 (3), 406-407. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002373
2021
Journal Article
Development of the Pain Responses Scale: a measure informed by the BIS‐BAS model of pain
Day, Melissa A., Ward, L. Charles, Vega, Rocio, Ehde, Dawn M. and Jensen, Mark P. (2021). Development of the Pain Responses Scale: a measure informed by the BIS‐BAS model of pain. European Journal of Pain, 26 (2), 505-521. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1877
2021
Journal Article
Evaluation of a physical activity promotion intervention for adults with whiplash associated disorders: a single-case experimental design study
Ritchie, Carrie, Clanchy, Kelly, Sterling, Michele, Tate, Robyn, Smits, Esther J., Day, Melissa, Nikles, Jane, Liimatainen, Jenna and Tweedy, Sean M. (2021). Evaluation of a physical activity promotion intervention for adults with whiplash associated disorders: a single-case experimental design study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44 (23), 1-14. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1989062
2021
Journal Article
A qualitative comparison of mindfulness meditation, cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic low back pain
Cattanach, Brittany K., Thorn, Beverly E., Ehde, Dawn M., Jensen, Mark P. and Day, Melissa A. (2021). A qualitative comparison of mindfulness meditation, cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic low back pain. Rehabilitation Psychology, 66 (3), 317-334. doi: 10.1037/rep0000344
2021
Journal Article
Prayer as a pain intervention: protocol of a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Ferreira-Valente, Alexandra, Jarego, Margarida, Queiroz-Garcia, Inês, Pimenta, Filipa, Costa, Rui Miguel, Day, Melissa A., Pais-Ribeiro, José and Jensen, Mark P. (2021). Prayer as a pain intervention: protocol of a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open, 11 (7) e047580, 1-6. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047580
2021
Journal Article
Pain-related beliefs, cognitive processes, and electroencephalography band power as predictors and mediators of the effects of psychological chronic pain interventions
Jensen, Mark P., Hakimian, Shahin, Ehde, Dawn M., Day, Melissa A., Pettet, Mark W., Yoshino, Atsuo and Ciol, Marcia A. (2021). Pain-related beliefs, cognitive processes, and electroencephalography band power as predictors and mediators of the effects of psychological chronic pain interventions. Pain, 162 (7), 2036-2050. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002201
2021
Journal Article
Mindfulness-based analgesia or placebo effect? The development and evaluation of a sham mindfulness intervention for acute experimental pain
Davies, Jonathan N., Sharpe, Louise, Day, Melissa A. and Colagiuri, Ben (2021). Mindfulness-based analgesia or placebo effect? The development and evaluation of a sham mindfulness intervention for acute experimental pain. Psychosomatic Medicine, 83 (6), 557-565. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000886
2021
Journal Article
Response to mindfulness-based cognitive therapy differs between chronic and episodic migraine
Seng, Elizabeth K., Conway, Alexandra B., Grinberg, Amy S., Patel, Zarine S., Marzouk, Maya, Rosenberg, Lauren, Metts, Christopher, Day, Melissa A., Minen, Mia T., Buse, Dawn C. and Lipton, Richard B. (2021). Response to mindfulness-based cognitive therapy differs between chronic and episodic migraine. Neurology: Clinical Practice, 11 (3), 194-205. doi: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000984
2021
Journal Article
Large-scale replication of psychological outcomes in a community-based interdisciplinary pain management program
Oehlerich, Madeline L., Geffen, Gina, Geffen, Laurence, Craig, Nathan, Geffen, Saul, Lovai, Miriam, Hobson, Joshua and Day, Melissa A. (2021). Large-scale replication of psychological outcomes in a community-based interdisciplinary pain management program. Clinical Psychologist, 25 (1), 98-106. doi: 10.1080/13284207.2021.1900718
2021
Journal Article
Transdiagnostic cognitive processes in chronic pain and comorbid PTSD and depression in veterans
Day, Melissa A., Williams, Rhonda M., Turner, Aaron P., Ehde, Dawn M. and Jensen, Mark P. (2021). Transdiagnostic cognitive processes in chronic pain and comorbid PTSD and depression in veterans. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 56 (2), 1-11. doi: 10.1093/abm/kaab033
2021
Journal Article
Change in brain oscillations as a mechanism of mindfulness-meditation, cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic low back pain
Day, Melissa A., Matthews, Natasha, Mattingley, Jason B., Ehde, Dawn M., Turner, Aaron P., Williams, Rhonda M. and Jensen, Mark P. (2021). Change in brain oscillations as a mechanism of mindfulness-meditation, cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic low back pain. Pain Medicine, 22 (8), 1804-1813. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnab049
2021
Journal Article
COPAHS Study: Protocol of a randomised experimental study comparing the effects of hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, and spiritual practices on experimental pain in healthy adults
Ferreira-Valente, Alexandra, Pimenta, Filipa, Costa, Rui M., Day, Melissa A., Pais-Ribeiro, José and Jensen, Mark P. (2021). COPAHS Study: Protocol of a randomised experimental study comparing the effects of hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, and spiritual practices on experimental pain in healthy adults. BMJ Open, 11 (2) e040068, e040068. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040068
2020
Journal Article
An Experimental Investigation of the Effects and Mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation Versus Self-Hypnosis Versus an Attention Control on Cold Pressor Outcomes
Grover, Michelle P., Jensen, Mark P., Ward, L. Charles, Ehde, Dawn M., Mattingley, Jason B., Thorn, Beverly E., Ferreira-Valente, Alexandra and Day, Melissa A. (2020). An Experimental Investigation of the Effects and Mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation Versus Self-Hypnosis Versus an Attention Control on Cold Pressor Outcomes. Mindfulness, 12 (4), 923-935. doi: 10.1007/s12671-020-01556-7
2020
Journal Article
Mechanisms of mindfulness meditation, cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic low back pain
Day, Melissa A., Ward, L Charles, Thorn, Beverly E., Burns, John, Ehde, Dawn M., Barnier, Amanda J., Mattingley, Jason B. and Jensen, Mark P. (2020). Mechanisms of mindfulness meditation, cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic low back pain. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 36 (10), 740-749. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000862
2020
Journal Article
A randomized trial to examine the mechanisms of cognitive, behavioral and mindfulness-based psychosocial treatments for chronic pain: study protocol
Day, M. A., Ehde, D. M., Burns, J., Ward, L. C., Friedly, J. L., Thorn, B. E., Ciol, M. A., Mendoza, E., Chan, J. F., Battalio, S., Borckardt, J. and Jensen, M. P. (2020). A randomized trial to examine the mechanisms of cognitive, behavioral and mindfulness-based psychosocial treatments for chronic pain: study protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 93 106000, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2020.106000
2020
Journal Article
The roles of race, sex and cognitions in response to experimental pain
Day, Melissa A., Ward, L. Charles, Grover, Michelle P., Ehde, Dawn M., Illingworth, Oliver R. and Jensen, Mark P. (2020). The roles of race, sex and cognitions in response to experimental pain. European Journal of Pain, 24 (6) ejp.1552, 1072-1083. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1552
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Melissa Day is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Examining the effectiveness of two novel psychological treatments for the management of chronic pelvic pain
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Akwasi Amoako
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Doctor Philosophy
Psychology in the Intensive Care Unit: An Australian Context
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Ward
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Doctor Philosophy
Effectiveness of online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for chronic pain management
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Leanne Hides
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Doctor Philosophy
The effectiveness of mind-body interventions in increasing pain tolerance in athletes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Melissa Day directly for media enquiries about:
- Chronic Pain
- Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
- Coping
- Mindfulness
- Pain
- Psychosocial Pain Management
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