Call for papers - Mental health and musculoskeletal disorders

Guest Editors

Asimina Lazaridou, PhD, Harvard University, USA
Myrella Paschali, MD, Harvard University, USA

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 20 October 2025

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders invites submissions for a special Collection titled Mental health and musculoskeletal disorders. This Collection aims to explore the intricate relationship between mental health and musculoskeletal conditions, shedding light on their bidirectional influences, underlying mechanisms, and effective interventions.

New Content Item This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

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Meet the Guest Editors

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Asimina Lazaridou, PhD, Harvard University, USA

Dr Asimina Lazaridou is a licensed clinical psychologist and PhD pain researcher, with special focus in chronic pain. After completing a postdoctoral research fellowship at Brigham and Women's Hospital with a focus on measurement and modulation of the biopsychosocial influence on pain. Dr. Lazaridou joined Harvard faculty as an instructor in 2020, and has continued to conduct pain research, teach, and supervise clinical and research trainees, while providing personalized clinical care to patients with chronic pain.

Myrella Paschali, MD, Harvard University, USA

Dr Myrella Paschali is an attending psychiatrist with training in psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic (cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT) treatment approaches and a researcher in the field of chronic pain. She is currently based in Dusseldorf, Germany. Dr. Paschali's clinical training consisted of four years in psychiatry (Addiction, Adult Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry) and one year of training in neurology. Dr. Paschali has worked on multiple studies with an assembled interdisciplinary group of colleagues examining the effects of biobehavioral interventions on patients with chronic pain.

About the Collection

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders calls for submissions to our Collection titled Mental health and musculoskeletal disorders.

Musculoskeletal disorders encompass a wide range of conditions affecting the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, and fibromyalgia. These conditions not only cause physical discomfort but also impact mental well-being, contributing to psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and impaired quality of life.

Conversely, mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, stress-related disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder, can influence the onset, progression, and prognosis of musculoskeletal conditions. The interplay between mental health and musculoskeletal disorders is complex, involving biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors.

We welcome original research, reviews, and perspectives that delve into various aspects of the relationship between mental health and musculoskeletal disorders, including but not limited to:

Epidemiological studies examining the prevalence, incidence, and comorbidity of mental health disorders among individuals with musculoskeletal conditions.
Investigations into the biological mechanisms linking mental health and musculoskeletal disorders, such as neuroendocrine pathways, immune system dysregulation, and inflammatory processes.
Psychosocial factors influencing the development, progression, and management of musculoskeletal disorders, including socioeconomic status, social support, stigma, and coping strategies.
Assessment tools and screening methods for identifying mental health comorbidities in patients with musculoskeletal conditions, with a focus on validity, reliability, and feasibility.
Interventions targeting both mental health and musculoskeletal outcomes, such as integrated care models, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, exercise programs, and pharmacotherapy.
Health policy and healthcare delivery strategies aimed at improving the holistic management of individuals with coexisting mental health and musculoskeletal disorders.

This Collection seeks to advance our understanding of the intricate interplay between mental health and musculoskeletal disorders and inform clinical practice, policy-making, and future research directions. We encourage submissions from clinicians, scientists, researchers, and stakeholders across disciplines to contribute to this important dialogue.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Mental health and musculoskeletal disorders" from the dropdown menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.