Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that is caused by demyelination of nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord. The disease is progressive with damage disrupting communication between parts of the central nervous system, leading to both physical and cognitive symptoms that may include visual impairment, fatigue, ataxia, pain, numbness, and cognitive decline. Around 0.1% of people in the UK will be affected by MS (Richards et al., 2002). Chronic pain in MS is relatively common with an estimated 48–65% experiencing some form of long-standing pain (Khan & Pallant, 2007; Moulin et al., 1988; O’Connor et al., 2008). In MS, chronic pain has been shown to have a negative impact on a range of measures including health related quality of life, psychological well-being, and independent living (Forbes et al., 2006; Hawthorne et al., 1999; Sherbourne, 1992). Hence the need for effective treatments that help patients manage their pain.
