Table 1.

Theories and models for understanding the pain perception-action cycle

Theories and Models	Computation	Pain applications
Predictive coding	Prediction of sensory or motor signals	Pain perception, sensorimotor integration
Bayesian theory	Prediction of posterior and posterior mean	Pain perception, placebo analgesia
Reinforcement learning	Prediction of value function	Decision-making, planning, avoidance, pain conditioning, pain chronification
Avoidance/escape learning	Prediction of value function, integration of multi-factors	Pain anticipation/avoidance, pain-related fear conditioning
Associative learning	Modulation of “associability” strength	Attention modulation for pain, fear-conditioned pain modulation, pain extinction
Predicted response-outcome (PRO) model	Action selection and prediction	Pain-associated decision-making
Motivation-Decision model	Weighting the utility function	Decision-making in cost-benefit conflicting or competitive choices