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 the Director of Research at the Brisbane Pain and Rehabilitation Service (BPRS) where our interdisciplinary team generates practice-based evidence to inform evidence-based practice.
Clanchy, Kelly M., Tweedy, Sean M., Tate, Robyn L., Sterling, Michele, Day, Melissa A., Nikles, Jane and Ritchie, Carrie (2019) Evaluation of a novel intervention to improve physical activity for adults with whiplash associated disorders: Protocol for a multiple-baseline, single case experimental study. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 16 100455. doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100455
Seng, Elizabeth K., Singer, Alexandra B., Metts, Christopher, Grinberg, Amy S., Patel, Zarine S., Marzouk, Maya, Rosenberg, Lauren, Day, Melissa, Minen, Mia T., Lipton, Richard B. and Buse, Dawn C. (2019) Does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for migraine reduce migraine-related disability in people with episodic and chronic migraine? A phase 2b pilot randomized clinical trial. Headache, 59 9: 1448-1467. doi:10.1111/head.13657
Journal Article: An evaluation of the Behavioral Inhibition and Behavioral Activation System (BIS-BAS) model of pain
Day, Melissa A., Matthews, Natasha, Newman, Anica, Mattingley, Jason B. and Jensen, Mark P. (2019) An evaluation of the Behavioral Inhibition and Behavioral Activation System (BIS-BAS) model of pain. Rehabilitation Psychology, 64 3: 279-287. doi:10.1037/rep0000274
(2015–2018) NHMRC Early Career Fellowships
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic pain: a clinical manual and guide
Day, Melissa A. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic pain: a clinical manual and guide. Chicester, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons, 2017.
Group therapy for chronic pain
Day, Melissa A. and Thorn, Beverly E. (2019). Group therapy for chronic pain. In Jane C. Ballantyne, Scott M. Fishman and James P. Rathmell (Ed.), Bonica’s management of pain 5th ed. (pp. 1439-1469) Philadelphia, PA, United States: Wolfers Kluwer.
Pain and its optimal management
Day, Melissa (2017). Pain and its optimal management. In Health psychology in Australia (pp. 261-281) Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
The application of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic pain
Day, Melissa A. (2016). The application of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic pain. In Stuart J. Eisendrath (Ed.), Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: innovative applications (pp. 65-74) Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-29866-5_6
Day, Melissa A., Eyer, Joshua C. and Thorn, Beverly E. (2014). Therapeutic Relaxation. In Stefan G. Hofmann (Ed.), The Wiley handbook of cognitive behavioral therapy. 1 (pp. 157-180) Chichester, W Sussex, England: Wiley-Blackwell.
Clanchy, Kelly M., Tweedy, Sean M., Tate, Robyn L., Sterling, Michele, Day, Melissa A., Nikles, Jane and Ritchie, Carrie (2019) Evaluation of a novel intervention to improve physical activity for adults with whiplash associated disorders: Protocol for a multiple-baseline, single case experimental study. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 16 100455. doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100455
Seng, Elizabeth K., Singer, Alexandra B., Metts, Christopher, Grinberg, Amy S., Patel, Zarine S., Marzouk, Maya, Rosenberg, Lauren, Day, Melissa, Minen, Mia T., Lipton, Richard B. and Buse, Dawn C. (2019) Does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for migraine reduce migraine-related disability in people with episodic and chronic migraine? A phase 2b pilot randomized clinical trial. Headache, 59 9: 1448-1467. doi:10.1111/head.13657
An evaluation of the Behavioral Inhibition and Behavioral Activation System (BIS-BAS) model of pain
Day, Melissa A., Matthews, Natasha, Newman, Anica, Mattingley, Jason B. and Jensen, Mark P. (2019) An evaluation of the Behavioral Inhibition and Behavioral Activation System (BIS-BAS) model of pain. Rehabilitation Psychology, 64 3: 279-287. doi:10.1037/rep0000274
Day, Melissa A., Thorn, Beverly E., Ehde, Dawn M., Burns, John W., Barnier, Amanda, Mattingley, Jason B., Matthews, Natasha and Jensen, Mark P. (2019) Moderators of mindfulness meditation, cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic low back pain: A test of the limit, activate, and enhance model. Journal of Pain, . doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2019.06.006
Day, Melissa A, Ward, L Charles, Ehde, Dawn M, Thorn, Beverly E, Burns, John, Barnier, Amanda, Mattingley, Jason B and Jensen, Mark P (2019) A pilot randomized controlled trial comparing mindfulness meditation, cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic low back pain. Pain Medicine, . doi:10.1093/pm/pny273
Harding, Kaitlin, Day, Melissa A., Ehde, Dawn M., Wood, Amanda E., McCall, Alisha and Williams, Rhonda (2018) Mental and physical health correlates of pain treatment utilization among veterans with chronic pain: a cross-sectional study. Military Medicine, . doi:10.1093/milmed/usy235
The association between mindfulness and hypnotizability: clinical and theoretical implications
Grover, Michelle P., Jensen, Mark P., Patterson, David R., Gertz, Kevin J. and Day, Melissa A. (2018) The association between mindfulness and hypnotizability: clinical and theoretical implications. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 61 1: 4-17. doi:10.1080/00029157.2017.1419458
Jensen, Mark P., Battalio, Samuel L., Chan, Joy F., Edwards, Karlyn A., Day, Melissa A., Sherlin, Leslie H. and Ehde, Dawn M. (2018) Use of neurofeedback and mindfulness to enhance response to hypnosis treatment in individuals with multiple sclerosis: results from a pilot randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 66 3: 231-264. doi:10.1080/00207144.2018.1460546
The pain-related cognitive processes questionnaire: development and validation
Day, Melissa A., Ward, L. Charles, Thorn, Beverly E., Lang, Cathryne P., Newton-John, Toby R. O., Ehde, Dawn M. and Jensen, Mark P. (2018) The pain-related cognitive processes questionnaire: development and validation. Pain Medicine, 19 2: 269-283. doi:10.1093/pm/pnx010
A Multivariate Validity Analysis of the Pain-Related Cognitive Processes Questionnaire
Day, Melissa A., Ward, L. Charles and Jensen, Mark P. (2018) A Multivariate Validity Analysis of the Pain-Related Cognitive Processes Questionnaire. Clinical Journal of Pain, 34 8: 1-731. doi:10.1097/AJP.0000000000000587
Day, Melissa A. and Thorn, Beverly E. (2017) Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for headache pain: an evaluation of the long-term maintenance of effects. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 33 94-98. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.009
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for the treatment of headache pain: A pilot study
Day, Melissa A., Thorn, Beverly E., Ward, L. Charles, Rubin, Nancy, Hickman, Steven D., Scogin, Forrest and Kilgo, Gary R. (2014) Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for the treatment of headache pain: A pilot study. Clinical Journal of Pain, 30 2: 152-161. doi:10.1097/AJP.0b013e318287a1dc
Burns, John W., Day, Melissa A. and Thorn, Beverly E. (2012) Is reduction in pain catastrophizing a therapeutic mechanism specific to cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain?. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 2 1: 22-29. doi:10.1007/s13142-011-0086-3
The communal coping model of catastrophizing: patient-health provider interactions
Tsui, Patricia, Day, Melissa, Thorn, Beverly, Rubin, Nancy, Alexander, Chelley and Jones, Richard (2012) The communal coping model of catastrophizing: patient-health provider interactions. Pain Medicine, 13 1: 66-79. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01288.x
The continuing evolution of biopsychosocial interventions for chronic pain
Day, MELISSA A., Thorn, Beverly E. and Burns, John W. (2012) The continuing evolution of biopsychosocial interventions for chronic pain. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 26 2: 114-129. doi:10.1891/0889-8391.26.2.114
Thorn, Beverly E., Day, Melissa A., Burns, John, Kuhajda, Melissa C., Gaskins, Susan W., Sweeney, Kelly, McConley, Regina, Ward, L. Charles and Cabbil, Chalanda (2011) Randomized trial of group cognitive behavioral therapy compared with a pain education control for low-literacy rural people with chronic pain. Pain, 152 12: 2710-2720. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2011.07.007
Day, Melissa A., Thorn, Beverly E. and Kapoor, Shweta (2011) A qualitative analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing a cognitive-behavioral treatment with education. Journal of Pain, 12 9: 941-952. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2011.02.354
Race and sex differences in primary appraisals, catastrophizing, and experimental pain outcomes
Forsythe, Laura Pence, Thorn, Beverly, Day, Melissa and Shelby, Grace (2011) Race and sex differences in primary appraisals, catastrophizing, and experimental pain outcomes. Journal of Pain, 12 5: 563-572. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2010.11.003
Literacy and cultural adaptations for cognitive behavioral therapy in a rural pain population
Kuhajda, M. C., Thorn, B. E., Gaskins, S. W., Day, M. A. and Cabbil, C. M. (2011) Literacy and cultural adaptations for cognitive behavioral therapy in a rural pain population. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 1 2: 216-223. doi:10.1007/s13142-011-0026-2
Day, Melissa A. and Thorn, Beverly E. (2010) The relationship of demographic and psychosocial variables to pain-related outcomes in a rural chronic pain population. Pain, 151 2: 467-474. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2010.08.015
Day, Melissa and Thorn, Beverly E. (2012). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Headache Pain: Preliminary Findings of a Randomized Controlled Trial. In: Annals of Behavioral Medicine. , , (S248-S248). .
(2015–2018) NHMRC Early Career Fellowships