Pain assessment: state-of-the-art applications from the cognitive–behavioural perspective

This brief report highlights some basic issues in pain assessment. This serves to set the stage for the articles that are presented in this issue of the Behavioral Assessment section. Topics covered include an overview of the cognitive–behavioural perspective, consideration of important dimensions for assessment, and a summary of some of the key issues affecting the state-of-the-art. An overview of the articles that follow as well as future research directions are also presented.