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Frontiers in Pain Research

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Explore open access research in pain research, advancing understanding of pain mechanisms, assessment and treatment across clinical and translational settings.

Frontiers in Pain Research takes a holistic perspective to pain research covering mechanisms, treatments, socioeconomics, diagnostics, preventative measures, and pain management in a range of medical specialties. Led...

About the journal
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Editors

View all

Tony L Yaksh

University of California, San Diego

United States

Editor-in-Chief

Allen Finley

Dalhousie University

Canada

Specialty Chief Editor

Pediatric Pain

Anna P Malykhina

School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

United States

Specialty Chief Editor

Abdominal and Pelvic Pain

Apkar Vania Apkarian

Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

United States

Specialty Chief Editor

Pain Research Methods

B. Duncan X. Lascelles

North Carolina State University

United States

Specialty Chief Editor

Veterinary and Comparative Pain

Brian E Cairns

University of British Columbia

Canada

Specialty Chief Editor

Musculoskeletal Pain

Cary Reid

Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian

United States

Specialty Chief Editor

Geriatric Pain

Frederick Freitag

Medical College of Wisconsin

United States

Specialty Chief Editor

Headache

364 editors · 0 reviewers

About the journal

Scope

Frontiers in Pain Research takes a holistic perspective to pain research covering mechanisms, treatments, socioeconomics, diagnostics, preventative measures, and pain management in a range of medical specialties. Led by Field Chief Editor Professor Tony L Yaksh (Department of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, USA), the journal is indexed in PubMed Central (PMC), SCOPUS and the DOAJ, among others. All studies contributing insights to the pathophysiology of pain, and development of novel analgesics for improved clinical treatment are welcome. Topical issues relevant to the journal, addressing insights into the pathophysiology of pain, and development of novel analgesics for include but are not limited to: abdominal and pelvic pain cancer pain clinical trials, methods, and evidence synthesis geriatric pain headache musculoskeletal pain neuromodulatory interventions neuropathic pain non-pharmacological treatment of pain pain in society: educational, ethical, and policy aspects pain mechanisms pain research methods pediatric pain pharmacological treatment of pain veterinary and comparative pain. The journal is particularly interested in research that focuses on the following: Elucidation of pain biology. This research domain focuses on system function and: involves engagement of an interest inclusive of the gamut of current research technologies, including cellular from membrane biophysics to electrophysiology and non-invasive imaging (MRI, PET, US) and changes in indices of peripheral and neuraxial cellular function at the level of the cellular transcriptome and proteome as they underlie behavioral and functional indices of the pain phenotype in animal and human tissues and models. Factors influencing the expression of a pain phenotype: Studies focusing on the effects of sex, environmental and societal stressors and early experience on changes in pain expression and role of epigenetics in these effects Characterization of pain interventions. The efficacy and mechanisms of action of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions which alter pain processing and perception are of principal interest. The focus is agnostic as to therapeutic modality: drug targets, novel delivery routes (topical, systemic, neuraxial) and mechanisms formulation/delivery platforms (encapsulation, toxins, transfection),, stimulation, and psychological interventions are all part of this focus; Clinical translation. Translation of the above insights into the diagnosis/management of pain in the clinical patient though systematic and well-controlled trials. The journal is equally interested in systematic studies aimed at minimizing and managing pain in companion species Societal issues focusing on pain and its management. Systematic studies considering the impact on pain diagnosis and management of economic pressures, educational strategies and the regulatory environment. The journal encourages submissions which support and advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 3: good health and well-being, and SDG 5: gender equality Clinical translation: translation of the above insights into the management of pain in the clinical patient though systematic and well-controlled trials. Manuscripts that focus on higher order function (e.g. learning and memory, emotive conditions), or general medical conditions, economic studies, educational strategies, or general medical conditions without a foundation in pain research are not suitable for publication in this journal. Studies that primarily deal with memory and learning processes, unless directly linked to pain perception or management, are generally also outside the scope of this journal. Frontiers in Pain Research is committed to advancing developments in the field by allowing unrestricted access to articles and communicating scientific knowledge to researchers and the public alike, to enable the scientific breakthroughs of the future. --- Frontiers in Pain Research encourages authors to follow ethical and research guidelines, such as those of the ARRIVE consortium addressing rigor and statistical validity of the analysis. Preclinical concerns require adherence to institutional animal care and use protocols and the instillation of the perspective of the three Rs: Reduce, Refine, Replace. Frontiers’ journals require that manuscripts primarily comprising computational studies of public data, must include appropriate validation. Please refer to the Frontiers Standards for research methodology policy, for more information. Manuscripts not adhering to these standards will not be considered.

Aims

Frontiers in Pain Research takes a holistic perspective to pain research covering mechanisms, treatments, socioeconomics, diagnostics, preventative measures, and pain management in a range of medical specialties.

Led by Field Chief Editor Professor Tony L Yaksh (Department of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, USA), the journal is indexed in PubMed Central (PMC), SCOPUS and the DOAJ, among others. All studies contributing insights to the pathophysiology of pain, and development of novel analgesics for improved clinical treatment are welcome. Topical issues relevant to the journal, addressing insights into the pathophysiology of pain, and development of novel analgesics for include but are not limited to:

abdominal and pelvic pain

cancer pain

clinical trials, methods, and evidence synthesis

geriatric pain

headache

musculoskeletal pain

neuromodulatory interventions

neuropathic pain

non-pharmacological treatment of pain

pain in society: educational, ethical, and policy aspects

pain mechanisms

pain research methods

pediatric pain

pharmacological treatment of pain

veterinary and comparative pain.

The journal is particularly interested in research that focuses on the following:

Elucidation of pain biology. This research domain focuses on system function and: involves engagement of an interest inclusive of the gamut of current research technologies, including cellular from membrane biophysics to electrophysiology and non-invasive imaging (MRI, PET, US) and changes in indices of peripheral and neuraxial cellular function at the level of the cellular transcriptome and proteome as they underlie behavioral and functional indices of the pain phenotype in animal and human tissues and models. Factors influencing the expression of a pain phenotype: Studies focusing on the effects of sex, environmental and societal stressors and early experience on changes in pain expression and role of epigenetics in these effects

Characterization of pain interventions. The efficacy and mechanisms of action of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions which alter pain processing and perception are of principal interest. The focus is agnostic as to therapeutic modality: drug targets, novel delivery routes (topical, systemic, neuraxial) and mechanisms formulation/delivery platforms (encapsulation, toxins, transfection),, stimulation, and psychological interventions are all part of this focus; Clinical translation. Translation of the above insights into the diagnosis/management of pain in the clinical patient though systematic and well-controlled trials. The journal is equally interested in systematic studies aimed at minimizing and managing pain in companion species

Societal issues focusing on pain and its management. Systematic studies considering the impact on pain diagnosis and management of economic pressures, educational strategies and the regulatory environment. The journal encourages submissions which support and advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 3: good health and well-being, and SDG 5: gender equality

Clinical translation: translation of the above insights into the management of pain in the clinical patient though systematic and well-controlled trials.

Manuscripts that focus on higher order function (e.g. learning and memory, emotive conditions), or general medical conditions, economic studies, educational strategies, or general medical conditions without a foundation in pain research are not suitable for publication in this journal. Studies that primarily deal with memory and learning processes, unless directly linked to pain perception or management, are generally also outside the scope of this journal.

Frontiers in Pain Research is committed to advancing developments in the field by allowing unrestricted access to articles and communicating scientific knowledge to researchers and the public alike, to enable the scientific breakthroughs of the future.

---

Frontiers in Pain Research encourages authors to follow ethical and research guidelines, such as those of the ARRIVE consortium addressing rigor and statistical validity of the analysis. Preclinical concerns require adherence to institutional animal care and use protocols and the instillation of the perspective of the three Rs: Reduce, Refine, Replace.

Frontiers’ journals require that manuscripts primarily comprising computational studies of public data, must include appropriate validation. Please refer to the Frontiers Standards for research methodology policy, for more information. Manuscripts not adhering to these standards will not be considered.

Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/about

ISSN
2673-561X
Editor-in-Chief
Tony L Yaksh (University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States) — Field Chief Editor
Established
2026

Sections

  • Abdominal and Pelvic Pain

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/abdominal-and-pelvic-pain

  • Cancer Pain

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/cancer-pain

  • Clinical Trials, Methods, and Evidence Synthesis

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/clinical-trials-methods-and-evidence-synthesis

  • Geriatric Pain

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/geriatric-pain

  • Headache

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/headache

  • Musculoskeletal Pain

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/musculoskeletal-pain

  • Neuromodulatory Interventions

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/neuromodulatory-interventions

  • Neuropathic Pain

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/neuropathic-pain

  • Non-Pharmacological Treatment of Pain

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/non-pharmacological-treatment-of-pain

  • Pain Mechanisms

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/pain-mechanisms

  • Pain Research Methods

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/pain-research-methods

  • Pediatric Pain

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/pediatric-pain

  • Pharmacological Treatment of Pain

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/pharmacological-treatment-of-pain

  • Veterinary and Comparative Pain

    Official section page: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/sections/veterinary-and-comparative-pain

Article types accepted

  • Original Research
  • Systematic Review
  • Methods
  • Review
  • Mini Review
  • Policy and Practice Reviews
  • Hypothesis and Theory
  • Perspective
  • Clinical Trial
  • Case Report
  • Data Report
  • Policy Brief
  • Brief Research Report
  • General Commentary
  • Opinion
  • Correction
  • Editorial
  • Retraction
  • FAIR² Data

Fees and currencies

  • Article processing charges (official)
  • - Category A: CHF 2,695 — Original Research, Systematic Review, Methods, Review, Policy and Practice Reviews, Hypothesis and Theory, Clinical Trial
  • - Category B: CHF 2,195 — Mini Review, Perspective, Case Report, Data Report, Policy Brief, Brief Research Report, General Commentary, Opinion
  • - Category C: CHF 0 — Correction, Editorial, Retraction
  • Currency: CHF

Fees are charged only after acceptance. Waivers and discounts are available for authors with limited funding.

Fees and waivers policy

Editorial policies

Peer review

  • Official peer-review process: https://www.frontiersin.org/about/peer-review

Publication ethics

  • Policies and publication ethics: https://www.frontiersin.org/guidelines/policies-and-publication-ethics

Indexing

  • Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE)
  • Biological Abstracts
  • BIOSIS Previews
  • CNKI Scholar
  • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
  • CLOCKSS
  • Crossref
  • Dimensions
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences GoOA
  • OpenAIRE
  • EBSCO
  • Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
  • PubMed
  • PubMed Central (PMC)
  • Scopus
  • Web of Science Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)
  • ProQuest

Affiliated societies

  • Committee on Publication Ethics

Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/about

Instructions for authors

Accepted article types

  • Original Research (fee category A)
  • Systematic Review (fee category A)
  • Methods (fee category A)
  • Review (fee category A)
  • Mini Review (fee category B)
  • Policy and Practice Reviews (fee category A)
  • Hypothesis and Theory (fee category A)
  • Perspective (fee category B)
  • Clinical Trial (fee category A)
  • Case Report (fee category B)
  • Data Report (fee category B)
  • Policy Brief (fee category B)
  • Brief Research Report (fee category B)
  • General Commentary (fee category B)
  • Opinion (fee category B)
  • Correction (fee category C)
  • Editorial (fee category C)
  • Retraction (fee category C)
  • FAIR² Data

Author guidelines

  • https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/for-authors/author-guidelines

Peer review

  • https://www.frontiersin.org/about/peer-review

Journal metrics

Citation score
5.0
Articles
50
Total views
0
Downloads
0
Citations
8,094

Internal metrics, calculated on this platform and maintained by the editorial office.

Official bibliometric indicators

Impact factor
3.5
CiteScore
5.0
Citations
8094
Acceptance rate
33
Time to publication
98

Source: official publisher page · retrieved 2026-10-16

Some values were updated by the editorial office on 2026-10-22.