Editorial: neuromodulatory interventions for pain

The opioid crisis has prompted a renewed interest in non-pharmacological interventions for pain, with recent promising evidence for their effectiveness (Pillai Riddell et al., 2015; Veehof et al., 2016; Thompson et al., 2017, 2019; Franco et al., 2018; Owen et al., 2020). So called neuromodulatory interventions, which include neurofeedback and electrical and magnetic brain stimulation, are a novel class of non-pharmacological treatments that have attracted both intrigue and controversy. Despite a growing research literature, there remains a sense of uncertainty over whether they represent realistic alternatives to pain medication. The aim of this research topic was to stimulate new, much-needed research evaluating the effectiveness of such treatments and providing insights into their possible mechanisms. We present a collection of 11 articles focused primarily on neurofeedback, non-invasive brain stimulation and acupuncture that attempt to address some of these issues.