Bronwyn Thompson has worked in the field of pain management for most of her clinical career.
Her roles have included:
- occupational therapy
- pain psychology
- vocational management
- policy development
Bronwyn has recently completed a PhD developing a theory of living well with chronic pain. She also holds a MSc (1st class hons) in Psychology from Canterbury University, and a Diploma in Occupational Therapy from CIT.
She teaches postgraduate papers in pain and pain management, with a particular focus on psychosocial factors, coping and resilience.
Professional interests
- evidence-based health care
- chronic pain
- pain anxiety
- coping rehabilitation
Student supervision
PhD Candidate: Bonnie Scarth
Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Lee Thompson, Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
Topic: Perceptions of suffering, suicide, and physician-assisted suicide, within the concepts of "rationality", "autonomy" and "dignity".
Master’s Candidate: Matt Short
Supervisors: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson, Dr Rex De Ryke
Topic: Ultrasound investigation of fascia tissue.
Master’s Candidate: Emma Fairs
Supervisors: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson, Dr Jennifer Dunn
Topic: Post Registration Clinical Competency in The New Zealand Osteopathic Profession
2018
Master’s Candidate: Michele Burns
Supervisors: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
Topic: What happens when you go home: A phenomenological analysis of the period from discharge to first follow-up after knee replacement surgery
2017
Master’s Candidate: Andrew Imrie
Supervisors: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
Topic: Obstacles and facilitators to integrating psychosocial assessment in low back pain by New Zealand physiotherapists
2017
Master’s Candidate: Nerissa Chapman
Supervisors: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
Topic: Epidemiology of musculoskeletal disorders in the New Zealand Armed Forces
2016/2017
Master’s Candidate: Ellise Woon
Supervisors: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
Topic: A New Zealand PHODA: A measure for identifying the perceived harmfulness of activities
Publications
Thompson, B. (2022, May). Occupational therapy for Long COVID. Verbal presentation at the symposium Long COVID: Journeying Together Through the Fog, [Online].
Thompson, B., Snaddon, N., Thompson, D., & Clerc-Hawke, A. (2022, March). Knowledge translation: Integrating people with lived experience as integral to pain programme development. Plenary presentation at the New Zealand Pain Society (NZPS) Annual Scientific Meeting, [Online].
Shraim, M. A., Sluka, K. A., Sterling, M., Arendt-Nielsen, L., Argoff, C., Bagraith, K. S., … Thompson, B. L., … Hodges, P. W. (2022). Features and methods to discriminate between mechanism-based categories of pain experienced in the musculoskeletal system: A Delphi expert consensus study. Pain. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002577
Sheppard, L., & Lennox Thompson, B. (2021, March). ACC community pain services survey: Where to from here for interprofessional practice? An action research session [Invited]. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Pain Society (NZPS) Annual Scientific Meeting: Making the Connection: Cortex, Culture & Community, Waitangi, New Zealand.
Lennox Thompson, B. (2021). Whole-person clinical reasoning. In M. Erb & A. A. Schmid (Eds.), Integrative rehabilitation practice: The foundations of whole-person care for health professionals. (pp. 92-106). London, UK: Singing Dragon.
Lennox Thompson, B. (2021). Whole-person clinical reasoning. In M. Erb & A. A. Schmid (Eds.), Integrative rehabilitation practice: The foundations of whole-person care for health professionals. (pp. 92-106). London, UK: Singing Dragon.
Chapter in Book - Research
O'Sullivan, K., Cahalan, R., & Lennox Thompson, B. (2020). The importance of sleep in dance. In R. Cahalan (Ed.), Complete Irish dancer: Optimization of health and performance in Irish dancers. (pp. 135-151). New York, NY: Nova Science.
Chapter in Book - Research
Lennox Thompson, B. (2019). After the tango in the doorway: An autoethnography of living with persistent pain. In S. van Rysewyk (Ed.), Meanings of pain (Vol. 2): Common types of pain and language. (pp. 17-35). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-24154-4_2
Chapter in Book - Research
Lennox Thompson, B. (2016). Making sense: Regaining self-coherence. In S. van Rysewyk (Ed.), Meanings of pain. (pp. 309-324). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-49022-9_19
Chapter in Book - Research
Lennox Thompson, B. (2016). Pain theory and models for treatment. In D. L. Thompson & M. Brooks (Eds.), Integrative pain management: Massage, movement, and mindfulness based approaches. Pencaitland, UK: Handspring.
Chapter in Book - Research
Thompson, B. (2012). Abductive reasoning and case formulation in complex cases. In L. Robertson (Ed.), Clinical reasoning in occupational therapy: Controversies in practice. (pp. 15-30). Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
Chapter in Book - Research
Shraim, M. A., Sluka, K. A., Sterling, M., Arendt-Nielsen, L., Argoff, C., Bagraith, K. S., … Thompson, B. L., … Hodges, P. W. (2022). Features and methods to discriminate between mechanism-based categories of pain experienced in the musculoskeletal system: A Delphi expert consensus study. Pain. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002577
Journal - Research Article
Hudson, B., Williman, J. A., Stamp, L. K., Alchin, J. S., Hooper, G. J., Mangin, D., Lennox Thompson, B. F., & Toop, L. (2021). Nortriptyline for pain in knee osteoarthritis in general practice: A double blind randomised controlled trial. British Journal of General Practice, 71(708), e538-e546. doi: 10.3399/bjgp.2020.0797
Journal - Research Article
Gräper, P. J., Clark, J. R., Thompson, B. L., & Hallegraeff, J. M. (2020). Evaluating sensory profiles in nociplastic chronic low back pain: A cross-sectional validation study. Physiotherapy Theory & Practice. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2020.1839987
Journal - Research Article
Thompson, B. (2020). Growing pains: How cannabis impacts pain relief. Matters of Substance, 31(1). Retrieved from https://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/matters-of-substance/august-2020/growing-pains-how-cannabis-impacts-pain-relief/
Journal - Research Article
Bourke, J. A., Catherwood, V. J., Nunnerley, J., Martin, R. A., Levack, W. M. M., Thompson, B. L., & Acland, R. H. (2019). Using cannabis for pain management after spinal cord injury: A qualitative study. Spinal Cord Series & Cases, 5, 82. doi: 10.1038/s41394-019-0227-3
Journal - Research Article
Swain, N., Lennox Thompson, B., Gallagher, S., Paddison, J., & Mercer, S. (2019). Gratitude Enhanced Mindfulness (GEM): A pilot study of an internet-delivered programme for self-management of pain and disability in people with arthritis. Journal of Positive Psychology, 15(3), 420-426. doi: 10.1080/17439760.2019.1627397
Journal - Research Article
Darlow, B., Brown, M., Thompson, B., Hudson, B., Grainger, R., McKinlay, E., & Abbott, J. H. (2018). Living with osteoarthritis is a balancing act: An exploration of patients' beliefs about. BMC Rheumatology, 2, 15. doi: 10.1186/s41927-018-0023-x
Journal - Research Article
Bhana, N., Thompson, L., Alchin, J., & Thompson, B. (2015). Patient expectations for chronic pain management. Journal of Primary Health Care, 7(2), 130-136. doi: 10.1071/HC15130
Journal - Research Article
Kendall, N. A. S., & Thompson, B. F. (1998). A pilot programme for dealing with the comorbidity of chronic pain and long-term unemployment. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 8, 5-26.
Journal - Research Article
Swain, N., Parr-Brownlie, L. C., Lennox Thompson, B., Darlow, B., Mani, R., & Baxter, D. (2018). Six things you need to know about pain. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1486), 5-8. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Journal - Research Other
Hudson, B., Williman, J. A., Stamp, L. K., Alchin, J. S., Hooper, G. J., Mangin, D., Thompson, B. F., & Toop, L. (2015). Nortriptyline in knee osteoarthritis (NortIKA Study): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 16, 448. doi: 10.1186/s13063-015-0961-1
Journal - Research Other
Thompson, B. (2012). Are you ready? Readiness to return to work for people living with chronic pain. Occupational Therapy Now, 14(5), 13-15.
Journal - Research Other
Lennox Thompson, B. (2014). Teams in pain management. Pain News, 12(3), 176-179.
Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
Hudson, B., Toop, L., Williman, J., Hooper, G., Mangin, D., Alchin, J., Thompson, B., & Stamp, L. (2019). Nortriptyline in knee arthritis (nortika): A randomised controlled double blind trial of nortriptyline for pain in knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatology, 71(Suppl. 10), 2758. doi: 10.1002/art.41108
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Darlow, B., Brown, M., Lennox Thompson, B., Hudson, B., Grainger, R., McKinlay, E., & Abbott, H. (2018). Living with osteoarthritis is a balancing act: An exploration of beliefs about knee pain in people with osteoarthritis. Proceedings of the Physiotherapy New Zealand Conference. (pp. 53-54). Retrieved from https://pnz.org.nz/conference
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lennox Thompson, B., & Rutledge, B. (2018). Knowledge translation: An online community of practice case study. Proceedings of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) 17th World Congress on Pain. PSN040. Retrieved from https://www.iaspworldcongressonpain.org/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Darlow, B., Brown, M., Lennox Thompson, B., Hudson, B., Abbott, J., McKinlay, E., & Grainger, R. (2017). Walking a fine line (carefully): An exploration of beliefs about knee pain in people with osteoarthritis. Internal Medicine Journal, 47(Suppl. 2), (pp. 11). doi: 10.1111/imj.13426
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Darlow, B., Hudson, B., McKinlay, E., Brown, M., Thompson, B., Abbott, H., & Grainger, R. (2017). Walking a fine line (carefully): An exploration of beliefs about knee pain in people with osteoarthritis. Proceedings of the Primary Health Care and General Practice Research Weekend. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/wellington/departments/primaryhealthcaregeneralpractice/research/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Swain, N., Thompson, B., & Gallagher, S. (2016). The GEM self-management system for arthritis. Proceedings of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) 16th World Congress on Pain. PF0347. Retrieved from http://www.iasp-pain.org/Yokohama16/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lennox Thompson, B. (2015). Flexibly persisting with chronic pain. Proceedings of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science Australia & New Zealand Chapter (ANZ ACBS) Conference. (pp. 23). Retrieved from http://www.anzacbsconference.com/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lennox Thompson, B., Gage, J., & Kirk, R. (2015). Achieving self-coherence through re-occupying self: A classical grounded theory. Proceedings of the 6th Asia-Pacific Occupational Therapy (APOTC) Congress: Doing Well Together. (pp. 162). Retrieved from http://www.cmnzl.co.nz/apotc-2015/welcome/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Thompson, B. (2014). Pain management in the real world. Proceedings of the 39th Annual Scientific Meeting of the New Zealand Pain Society. Retrieved from http://www.nzps2014.org.nz/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Thompson, B. (2014). Pain, suffering and dignity. Proceedings of the 39th Annual Scientific Meeting of the New Zealand Pain Society. Retrieved from http://www.nzps2014.org.nz/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Thompson, B. (2013). Chronic pain: The complex patient. Proceedings of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) Conference for General Practice: Generalism: The Heart of Health Care. Retrieved from http://www.conference.co.nz/gp13/programme/programme/index#thu
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Bourke, J., Catherwood, V., Nunnerley, J., Martin, R., Lennox Thompson, B., & Acland, R. (2019, August). Using cannabis as a pain management strategy for people with spinal cord injury. Poster session presented at the 26th Australia New Zealand Spinal Cord Society (ANZSCoS) Annual Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, Australia.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Thompson, B. (2022, May). Occupational therapy for Long COVID. Verbal presentation at the symposium Long COVID: Journeying Together Through the Fog, [Online].
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Thompson, B., Snaddon, N., Thompson, D., & Clerc-Hawke, A. (2022, March). Knowledge translation: Integrating people with lived experience as integral to pain programme development. Plenary presentation at the New Zealand Pain Society (NZPS) Annual Scientific Meeting, [Online].
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Sheppard, L., & Lennox Thompson, B. (2021, March). ACC community pain services survey: Where to from here for interprofessional practice? An action research session [Invited]. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Pain Society (NZPS) Annual Scientific Meeting: Making the Connection: Cortex, Culture & Community, Waitangi, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Thompson, B. (2020, February). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Workshop presentation at the San Diego Pain Summit, San Diego, USA.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Glass, M., Boden, J., Potiki, T., & Lennox Thompson, B. (2019, July). Legalising cannabis: Will it be wise, or why did we? Hear what the experts think. Panel discussion at the University of Otago Winter Symposium Series, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Lennox Thompson, B. (2019, March). Resilience and coping with chronic pain. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Pain Society Paediatric Pain Symposium, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Trewin, B., & Lennox Thompson, B. (2019, March). Interprofessional teamwork: Working within and across multidisciplinary treatment teams. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Hudson, B., Williman, J. A., Stamp, L. K., Alchin, J. S., Hooper, G. J., Mangin, D., Thompson, B. F., & Toop, L. (2018, September). Nortriptyline in knee osteoarthritis (NortIKA Study): A randomised controlled trial. Verbal presentation at the General Practice and Primary Care Research Weekend, Hanmer Springs, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Lagerman, P., & Lennox Thompson, B. (2017, March). Should occupational therapists and physiotherapists deliver graded exposure in pain management? Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Nelson, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Lennox Thompson, B. (2017, November). How well do physiotherapists integrate a biopsychosocial perspective in clinical reasoning? Invited presentation at the Southern Physiotherapy Symposium 8, Queenstown, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Lennox Thompson, B. (2017, November). Persistent pain: What do those questionnaires mean? Using ePPOC questionnaires in daily practice. Workshop presentation at the Southern Physiotherapy Symposium 8, Queenstown, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Sim, A., & Lennox Thompson, B. (2017, September). Identifying the elephants in your room: Strategies for identifying and managing psychosocial factors. Verbal presentation at the Osteopathy New Zealand Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Sim, A., & Lennox Thompson, B. (2017, September). Integrating BPS into a clinical environment. Workshop presentation at the Osteopathy New Zealand Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Darlow, B., & Thompson, B. (2014, March). How clinicians (should) influence their patients. Verbal presentation at the 39th Annual Scientific Meeting of the New Zealand Pain Society, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Thompson, B. (2014, September). Telephone wires of a spiderweb? Untangling the biopsychosocial model. Verbal presentation at the Osteopaths New Zealand Annual Conference: Walking & Talking Osteopathy, Taupo, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Thompson, B. (2013, April). Getting on with it: A model of living well with pain. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Pain Society 38th Annual Scientific Meeting, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Thompson, B. (2013, November). A bird's eye view on overseas models of pain service: New Zealand experience. Verbal presentation at the Hospital Authority Commissioned Training Programme on Pain Management: Models of Pain Service, Hong Kong.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Thompson, B. (2013, November). Living well with pain: What we can learn from people who cope well with chronic pain. Verbal presentation at the Hospital Authority Commissioned Training Programme on Pain Management: Models of Pain Service, Hong Kong.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Thompson, B. (2013, November). Reducing disability when pain intensity can't be reduced. Verbal presentation at the Hospital Authority Commissioned Training Programme on Pain Management: Models of Pain Service, Hong Kong.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs