2026 ATNS Conference

Research Presentation- Relearn Pain: Digital PRT and EAET for Chronic primary Pain. First Clinical Outcomes of the HELP Program by Antje Kallweit, MD. 
Workshop Summary:

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This talk focuses on how mind–body approaches to chronic pain can move from the margins into mainstream healthcare. It explores what is required to translate neuroscience-informed, emotionally effective pain therapy into a structured, accessible digital format without losing its human core. The session presents first, yet unpublished, results from a randomized controlled trial evaluating a digital intervention based on Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET). Framed within the German healthcare system, the talk highlights how regulated, insurer-funded medical products can accelerate the paradigm shift toward brain-based pain treatment in routine care.


Learning Objectives:

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At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able to:

1. sx describe how core elements of Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) can be translated into a structured digital intervention without losing therapeutic depth
2. explain how design choices (guidance, pacing, language, emotional safety) support engagement and clinical change in a digital mind–body program • summarize the role of randomized controlled trials in generating credible evidence for digital PRT/EAET interventions and interpret what  early results can and cannot show
3. outline the pathway in Germany by which a regulated digital medical product can become reimbursable for all insured patients (including requirements for evaluation and “positive care effects”)
4. discuss how scientific evidence and real-world implementation can contribute to integration into routine care and, over time, inform clinical guidelines
   
   

Turning Neuroplastic Science into Standard Care: Outcomes and Utilization Impact From a Scalable Virtual Pain Recovery Program in a Health System Implementation by Chris Echterling, MD + Eric Anderson MD, PhD, MBA, FAAN
Workshop Summary:

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This session explores how Lin Health and WellSpan Health partnered to embed a scalable, insurance-reimbursable virtual neuroplastic care model across 100+ clinics. It will highlight real- world patient reported outcomes, healthcare utilization impact, and practical implementation lessons to help accelerate adoption of neuroplastic care as a standard of care.


Learning Objectives:

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At the end of this session, attendees will have an enhanced knowledge of:

1. The healthcare utilization impact and ROI of a virtual neuroplastic treatment delivered at scale.
2. Key implementation strategies towards a successful partnership between a virtual provider of neuroplastic care and an integrated health system.
3. Use of Collaborative Care billing codes and analysis of total cost of care to scale and sustain neuroplastic treatment.
4. Attracting new patients to a health system (or clinics) solely for care from this partnership.

How Americans Think About Neuroplastic Symptoms by Matthew Goldberg, PhD
Workshop Summary:

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Clinical trials demonstrate strong efficacy for neuroplastic recovery therapies, yet implementation remains limited. The primary barrier is public awareness, understanding, and implementation, not clinical effectiveness. This nationally representative study examines how Americans think about their symptoms, beliefs about whether those symptoms are neuroplastic, and what shapes their willingness to try neuroplastic recovery therapies. These findings will inform communication strategies that help more people recognize, trust, and access evidence-based treatment.

Learning Objectives:

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1. Understanding of when people attribute their symptoms to psychological causes.
2. Explain key motivations and barriers influencing willingness to try neuroplastic recovery therapies.
3. Identify priority audiences for public health communication strategies aimed at improving awareness and access.

Workshop Summary:

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Learning Objectives:

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Workshop Summary:

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There are hundreds of millions of neurons outside the brain, distributed between the enteric system, spinal cord, heart, and peripheral nerves. While the brain's role in pain is undeniable, the line between brain- and bodily-cognition is far murkier. This talk draws on perspectives ranging from contemplative traditions that have treated pain as fundamentally embodied and agentive, to 4E cognition, to give a shared vocabulary to both somatic and more neuro-centric practitioners of pain.



Learning Objectives:

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1. Describe the distributed architecture of the nervous system and explain why peripheral and spinal mechanisms are indispensable to a complete account of chronic pain
2. Identify a shared vocabulary that can bridge somatic and neuro-centric clinical approaches
3. Articulate the lens of embodied cognition as applied to clinical models of pain.

Workshop Summary:

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Chronic pain affects millions of people, yet the number of professionals formally trained in neuroplastic care remains limited. As awareness grows and demand increases, the field faces a structural challenge: how do we expand access without overburdening clinicians or diluting standards? This session introduces ATNS-Recognized Neuroplastic Symptom Recovery Coaches (NSRCs) as a defined, non-clinical support layer in addition to medical and mental health professionals  within the neuroplastic ecosystem.

Learning Objectives:

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At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able to:

A)  Understand how ATNS-recognized NSRCs fill a structural gap in the field and how this defined layer of care may help shape the future provider landscape of neuroplastic recovery.

B) Understand how NSRCs maintain clear boundaries around trauma work, mental health treatment, and medical care, including when referral to a higher level of care is needed.

C) Understand how clear referral pathways can work in both directions: from licensed practitioners to NSRCs when additional support with recovery implementation is needed, and from NSRCs to medical or mental health professionals when care falls outside coaching scope.

D) Feel confident in the standards, training, scope boundaries, and ethical guardrails ATNS has put in place for directory-listed Neuroplastic Symptom Recovery Coaches (NSRCs), including how they differ from general coaching or unvetted use of the NSRC title.

Workshop Summary:

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Our focus is on adapting neuroplastic approaches—specifically pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) and emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET)—to treat individuals experiencing post-traumatic headache months or years after a concussion. We have created a brief 6-session protocol and conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial with qualitative and quantitative outcomes. In this session we will present our findings, provide an interactive example of a treatment session, and open up a broader discussion about using neuroplastic treatment concepts with a brain injured population.

Learning Objectives:

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• Describe the characteristics of post-concussion headache and usual treatment approaches
• Outline how PRT and EAET were adapted for this patient population and the preliminary study findings
• Identify issues that might arise when using PRT and EAET with patients who have concussion or mild traumatic brain injury and potential solutions