Nina Russin

Chronic pain, defined as pain lasting more than three months or beyond the expected healing period from an injury, affects up to 20% of the global population, while one in six individuals experience loneliness. Both chronic pain and loneliness are conscious percepts, and both are highly subjective. While nociception can occur in the absence of consciousness, pain cannot. Similarly, loneliness, the perceived gap between one’s desired an actual social connections, is specifically conscious. Furthermore, there is substantial evidence between an association between loneliness and chronic pain which is also bidirectional: greater perceived loneliness leads to higher ratings of chronic pain, and vice versa. Many types of chronic pain, including low back pain and neck pain, are primarily non-specific, meaning that they are not associated with specific structural pathology. For individuals experiencing non-specific chronic pain, non-pharmacologic interventions have the benefits of avoiding polypharmacy, potentially wider availability and lower cost. Particularly for older adults- a group experiencing a disproportionate percentage of global chronic pain and loneliness, an intervention that addresses both concerns has the potential to significantly reduce the global burden of disease and significantly improve subjectively rated quality of life. Tai Chi, which has its roots in Chinese martial arts, is a popular mind-body activity that is currently practiced by an estimated 300 million individuals globally, including 1.5 million in the United States alone, offers persons experiencing chronic non-specific pain and loneliness the opportunity to attention shift away from the pain while improving present-state awareness; to improve strength, balance, and flexibility which may ameliorate chronic pain symptoms; and at the same time, build social networks within the community. Tai Chi classes are typically no or low cost, and thanks to the many forms of Tai Chi practice, can be tailored towards the specific needs of individuals living with various types of mobility impairment. While research supports the use of Tai Chi for chronic pain and loneliness separately, a recently published manuscript by the authors addresses a research gap concerning its use for addressing both conditions simultaneously. This poster presentation will explain chronic pain and loneliness within the framework of consciousness, their bidirectional relationship, and the potential of Tai Chi as a mindful intervention for self-management of both. Poster presenters Dr. Nina Russin and Dr. Matthew Martin are faculty researchers within the Safety Net Advancement Center, a translational team at the Arizona State University College of Health Solutions, whose mission is to work with health systems, community partners and health care payers to develop and implement evidence-based approaches to improve access and population health. Current programs focus on underserved populations including Native American communities, Latino/Latinx individuals, and others whose healthcare outcomes are strongly influenced by social determinants of health.

Nina H. Russin, DBH, received her doctoral degree from Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions in 2024, following a 30-year career in journalism that included ten years as a syndicated columnist with the Chicago Sun-Times. She is currently completing her second year as a postdoctoral scholar within the Safety Net Advancement Center, a translational team at ASU focused on improving healthcare access for persons currently underserved by the US healthcare system. Her research focuses on non-pharmacologic approaches to chronic pain, particularly among older adults. Recent presentations include the 2026 Arizona Public Health Association, 2026 University of Arizona Rural Health Conference, and 2026 ASU College of Health Solutions Faculty Research Day. Recent published research includes the use of art therapy and art making for chronic pain; upper crossed syndrome as an workplace-related cause of chronic neck and shoulder pain; and the impact of climate change on the growing global population of older adults. An ongoing research project is Art Squared, an art making intervention for persons with chronic pain and cognitive decline. Individuals are instructed through a process of grid drawing to engage cognitively and shift attention away from subjective pain perceptions. The concept is based on the brain's affinity for pattern making and pattern recognition as a method of navigating the environment. Dr. Russin has been an endurance athlete for 30 years, and is an ACSM certified personal trainer, inclusive fitness trainer, and cancer exercise trainer. She has completed 10 marathons, including a Boston qualifier, and was an Olympic torch bearer for the 2002 winter olympics.

Matt Martin, PhD, is Associate Research and Clinical Associate Professor of Behavioral Health in the College of Health Solutions and Associate Director of the Safety Net Advancement Center. Research interests include learning health systems, translational behavioral medicine, and implementation research. Matt teaches courses in healthcare quality improvement, substance use disorders, and integrated behavioral healthcare. He has graduate degrees in psychology and medical family therapy and a CSSBB certificate from ASQ. He completed pre-doctoral training at Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency and postdoctoral training at the University of Chicago. Before working at ASU, Dr. Martin worked as a behavioral health clinician and graduate medical educator for eight years. He has a research appointment with Mayo Clinic Arizona. Past funding includes PCORI, HRSA, SAMHSA, AHCCCS, ASU Foundation, and NIH.