![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
2017
Journal Article
Predictors of Responsivity to Interdisciplinary Pain Management
Day, Melissa A, Brinums, Melissa, Craig, Nathan, Geffen, Laurence, Geffen, Saul, Lovai, Miriam and Geffen, Gina (2017). Predictors of Responsivity to Interdisciplinary Pain Management. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 19 (9), 1848-1861. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnx169
2017
Journal Article
Pain catastrophizing, mindfulness and pain acceptance: what’s the difference?
Elvery, Nichola, Jensen, Mark P., Ehde, Dawn M. and Day, Melissa A. (2017). Pain catastrophizing, mindfulness and pain acceptance: what’s the difference?. Clinical Journal of Pain, 33 (6), 485-495. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000430
2017
Journal Article
Measuring the cognitions, emotions, and motivation associated with avoidance behaviors in the context of pain: development of the negative responsivity to pain scales
Jensen, Mark P., Ward, L. Charles, Thorn, Beverly E., Ehde, Dawn M. and Day, Melissa A. (2017). Measuring the cognitions, emotions, and motivation associated with avoidance behaviors in the context of pain: development of the negative responsivity to pain scales. Clinical Journal of Pain, 33 (4), 325-334. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000407
2017
Book
Health psychology in Australia
Dorian, Jill, Thorsteinsson, Einar , Di Benedetto, Mirella , Lane-Krebs, Katrina , Day, Melissa, Hutchinson, Amanda and Sherman, Kerry (2017). Health psychology in Australia. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781316779156
2017
Book
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic pain: a clinical manual and guide
Day, Melissa A. (2017). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic pain: a clinical manual and guide. Chicester, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.
2017
Book Chapter
Pain and its optimal management
Day, Melissa (2017). Pain and its optimal management. Health psychology in Australia. (pp. 261-281) Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
2017
Journal Article
A content review of cognitive process measures used in pain research within adult populations
Day, M. A., Lang, C. P., Newton-John, T. R. O., Ehde, D. M. and Jensen, M. P. (2017). A content review of cognitive process measures used in pain research within adult populations. European Journal of Pain, 21 (1), 45-60. doi: 10.1002/ejp.917
2016
Journal Article
An empirical examination of the role of common factors of therapy during a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention for headache pain
Day, Melissa A., Halpin, James and Thorn, Beverly E. (2016). An empirical examination of the role of common factors of therapy during a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention for headache pain. Clinical Journal of Pain, 32 (5), 420-427. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000277
2016
Journal Article
The behavioral activation and inhibition systems: implications for understanding and treating chronic pain
Jensen, Mark P., Ehde, Dawn M. and Day, Melissa A. (2016). The behavioral activation and inhibition systems: implications for understanding and treating chronic pain. Journal of Pain, 17 (5), 529.e1-529.e18. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.02.001
2016
Journal Article
The mediating role of pain acceptance during mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for headache
Day, Melissa A. and Thorn, Beverly E. (2016). The mediating role of pain acceptance during mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for headache. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 25, 51-54. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2016.01.002
2016
Book Chapter
The application of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic pain
Day, Melissa A. (2016). The application of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic pain. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: innovative applications. (pp. 65-74) edited by Stuart J. Eisendrath. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-29866-5_6
2016
Journal Article
An empirical investigation of a biopsychosocial model of pain in multiple sclerosis
Day, Melissa A., Ehde, Dawn M., Ward, L. Charles, Hartoonian, Narineh, Alschuler, Kevin N., Turner, Aaron P., Kraft, George H. and Jensen, Mark P. (2016). An empirical investigation of a biopsychosocial model of pain in multiple sclerosis. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 32 (2), 155-163. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000240
2015
Journal Article
Psychosocial Pain Management Moderation: The Limit, Activate, and Enhance Model
Day, Melissa A., Ehde, Dawn M. and Jensen, Mark P. (2015). Psychosocial Pain Management Moderation: The Limit, Activate, and Enhance Model. Journal of Pain, 16 (10), 947-960. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.07.003
2015
Journal Article
An investigation of the associations between measures of mindfulness and pain catastrophizing
Day, Melissa A., Smitherman, Anna, Ward, L. Charles and Thorn, Beverly E. (2015). An investigation of the associations between measures of mindfulness and pain catastrophizing. Clinical Journal of Pain, 31 (3), 222-228. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000102
2015
Journal Article
Predictors of anxiety in multiple sclerosis
Hartoonian, Narineh, Terrill, Alexandra L., Beier, Meghan L., Turner, Aaron P., Day, Melissa A. and Alschuler, Kevin N. (2015). Predictors of anxiety in multiple sclerosis. Rehabilitation Psychology, 60 (1), 91-98. doi: 10.1037/rep0000019
2014
Journal Article
Toward a theoretical model for mindfulness-based pain management
Day, Melissa A., Jensen, Mark P., Ehde, Dawn M. and Thorn, Beverly E. (2014). Toward a theoretical model for mindfulness-based pain management. Journal of Pain, 15 (7), 691-703. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.03.003
2014
Journal Article
A placebo-controlled trial of midazolam as an adjunct to morphine patient-controlled analgesia after spinal surgery
Day, Melissa A., Rich, Martha Anne, Thorn, Beverly E., Berbaum, Michael L. and Mangieri, Eugene A. (2014). A placebo-controlled trial of midazolam as an adjunct to morphine patient-controlled analgesia after spinal surgery. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, 26 (4), 300-308. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2013.12.011
2014
Journal Article
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for the treatment of headache pain: A mixed-methods analysis comparing treatment responders and treatment non-responders
Day, Melissa A., Thorn, Beverly E. and Rubin, Nancy J. (2014). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for the treatment of headache pain: A mixed-methods analysis comparing treatment responders and treatment non-responders. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 22 (2), 278-285. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.12.018
2014
Journal Article
Using theoretical models to clarify shared and unique mechanisms in psychosocial pain treatments: A commentary on Mccracken and Morley's theoretical paper
Day, Melissa A. and Thorn, Beverly E. (2014). Using theoretical models to clarify shared and unique mechanisms in psychosocial pain treatments: A commentary on Mccracken and Morley's theoretical paper. Journal of Pain, 15 (3), 237-238. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.01.486
2014
Journal Article
Neuromodulatory treatments for chronic pain: Efficacy and mechanisms
Jensen, Mark P., Day, Melissa A. and Miro, Jordi (2014). Neuromodulatory treatments for chronic pain: Efficacy and mechanisms. Nature Reviews Neurology, 10 (3), 167-178. doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2014.12
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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