Dr Jerin Mathew
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Lecturer in Clinical Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, NZ
Dr. Jerin Mathew holds the position of Lecturer in Clinical Anatomy within the Department of Anatomy at the School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago. Serving as a principal investigator for the Pain@Otago Research Theme, Otago Pain Mechanisms and Neuromodulation (OPaMEN) Research Programme, and the Point-of-Care Technologies, Dr. Mathew brings his expertise to these areas at the University of Otago. Dr Mathew is a physiotherapist by profession and a neuroscientist with a particular interest in chronic pain research. His primary research aims to understand the “brain-pain” mechanisms driving chronic musculoskeletal ( MSK ) pain and improve clinical pain outcomes through electroencephalography ( EEG ) based neurofeedback (Brainwave training).
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In addition to his interventional health research, Dr Mathew incorporates various imaging techniques (Ultrasound, Source localised EEG neuroimaging, MRI) to better understand the relationship between the MSK system and the brain.
His key research areas of interest are:
His key research areas of interest are:
- The biopsychosocial model and chronic secondary MSK pain conditions
- EEG neuroimaging and neurofeedback
- Application of imaging techniques to improve morphological understanding of skeletal structures and brain
- Effect of neuromodulation on autonomic system function
Alterations in Brain-Pain Mechanisms Among Individuals with Chronic Painful Knee Osteoarthritis: Insights from a Neuroimaging Investigation
Chronic painful knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a disabling physical health condition and is ranked as the 11th highest contributor to global disability. Persistent pain is a chief complaint associated with chronic knee OA and is not always directly linked to the structural changes in the knee joint. As an alternative pain generator, sensitization and changes in the peripheral and central nervous systems have been linked to chronic pain. However, it remains unclear which brain regions and their activity (and connectivity) relate to the pain experience in knee OA.
This study focused on understanding how the brain functions differently in individuals with knee OA compared to a matched healthy cohort. We conducted electroencephalography (EEG) neuroimaging to analyze the brain activity of people with knee OA (n=37) and healthy individuals (n=39). The results showed that individuals with knee OA had increased activity in certain brain regions associated with pain, and this activity was linked to both the duration of knee pain and psychological distress. These findings suggest that understanding these brain abnormalities could help develop non-invasive treatments to manage the pain experienced by people with chronic knee OA.
This study focused on understanding how the brain functions differently in individuals with knee OA compared to a matched healthy cohort. We conducted electroencephalography (EEG) neuroimaging to analyze the brain activity of people with knee OA (n=37) and healthy individuals (n=39). The results showed that individuals with knee OA had increased activity in certain brain regions associated with pain, and this activity was linked to both the duration of knee pain and psychological distress. These findings suggest that understanding these brain abnormalities could help develop non-invasive treatments to manage the pain experienced by people with chronic knee OA.
Neurofeedback: An Emerging and Experimental Top-Down Approach for Pain Management
The effective operation of the human feedback system heavily relies on the active functions of the brain. In the field of rehabilitation, biofeedback systems are firmly established and have been used to modulate various physiological functions like muscle performance, heart rate, and respiration. Similarly, a comparable approach can be applied to train the electrical activities of the brain by recording, analyzing, and modulating its function using Electroencephalography-based Neurofeedback (EEG-NF). EEG-NF is a form of brain-computer interface biofeedback technique that trains individuals to regulate real-time activities of the targeted brain regions, thereby enhancing learning. We have applied a similar method to explore the potential of EEG-NF in managing pain for individuals with chronic secondary musculoskeletal pain.
This talk will provide a concise overview of the basics of EEG-NF, encompassing its clinical implications and applications in the context of chronic pain management. Additionally, the presentation will explain the foundational principles of NF as a method to modulate chronic pain experience, particularly in individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis and lower back pain, drawing insights from our research findings.
This talk will provide a concise overview of the basics of EEG-NF, encompassing its clinical implications and applications in the context of chronic pain management. Additionally, the presentation will explain the foundational principles of NF as a method to modulate chronic pain experience, particularly in individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis and lower back pain, drawing insights from our research findings.
