scholarly journals A virtual experimenter does not increase placebo hypoalgesia when delivering an interactive expectancy manipulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjoern Horing ◽  
Sarah C. Beadle ◽  
Zachariah Inks ◽  
Andrew Robb ◽  
Eric R. Muth ◽  
...  

AbstractLack of standardization and unblinding threaten the research of mechanisms involved in expectancy effects on pain. We evaluated a computer-controlled virtual experimenter (VEx) to avoid these issues. Fifty-four subjects underwent a baseline-retest heat pain protocol. Between sessions, they received an expectancy manipulation (placebo or no-treatment) delivered by VEx or text-only control condition. The VEx provided standardized “social” interaction with the subjects. Pain ratings and psychological state/trait measures were recorded. We found an interaction of expectancy and delivery on pain improvement following the intervention. In the text conditions, placebo was followed by lower pain, whereas in the VEx conditions, placebo and no-treatment were followed by a comparable pain decrease. Secondary analyses indicated that this interaction was mirrored by decreases of negative mood and anxiety. Furthermore, changes in continuous pain were moderated by expectation of pain relief. However, retrospective pain ratings show an effect of expectancy but not of delivery. We conclude that we successfully applied an automated protocol for inducing expectancy effects on pain. The effect of the VEx regardless of treatment may be due to interactions of attention allocation and locus of control. This points to the diversity of expectancy mechanisms, and has implications for research and computer-based treatment applications.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 10762
Author(s):  
Thien Khai Tran ◽  
Hoa Dinh ◽  
Hien Nguyen ◽  
Dac-Nhuong Le ◽  
Dong-Ky Nguyen ◽  
...  

The COVID-19 pandemic, since its beginning in December 2019, has altered every aspect of human life. In Vietnam, the pandemic is in its fourth peak and is the most serious so far, putting Vietnam in the list of top 30 countries with the highest daily cases. In this paper, we wish to identify the magnitude of its impact on college students in Vietnam. As far as we’re concerned, college students belong to the most affected groups in the population, especially in big cities that have been hitting hard by the virus. We conducted an online survey from 31 May 2021 to 9 June 2021, asking students from four representative regions in Vietnam to describe how the pandemic has changed their lifestyle and studying environment, as well as their awareness, compliance, and psychological state. The collected answers were processed to eliminate unreliable ones then prepared for sentiment analysis. To analyze the relationship among the variables, we performed a variety of statistical tests, including Shapiro–Wilk, Mc Nemar, Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon, Kruskal–Wallis, and Pearson’s Chi-square tests. Among 1875 students who participated, many did not embrace online education. A total of 64.53% of them refused to think that online education would be the upcoming trend. During the pandemic, nearly one quarter of students were in a negative mood. About the same number showed signs of depression. We also observed that there were increasing patterns in sleeping time, body weight, and sedentary lifestyle. However, they maintained a positive attitude toward health protection and compliance with government regulations (65.81%). As far as we know, this is the first project to conduct such a large-scale survey analysis on students in Vietnam. The findings of the paper help us take notice of financial and mental needs and perspective issues for indigent students, which contributes to reducing the pandemic’s negative effects and going forwards to a better and more sustainable life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 1064-1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne C Reddan ◽  
Hannah Young ◽  
Julia Falkner ◽  
Marina López-Solà ◽  
Tor D Wager

Abstract Interpersonal touch and social support can influence physical health, mental well-being and pain. However, the mechanisms by which supportive touch promotes analgesia are not well understood. In Study 1, we tested how three kinds of social support from a romantic partner (passive presence, gentle stroking and handholding) affect pain ratings and skin conductance responses (SCRs). Overall, support reduced pain ratings in women, but not men, relative to baseline. Support decreased pain-related SCRs in both women and men. Though there were no significant differences across the three support conditions, effects were largest during handholding. Handholding also reduced SCRs in the supportive partner. Additionally, synchronicity in couples’ SCR was correlated with reductions in self-reported pain, and individual differences in synchrony were correlated with the partner’s trait empathy. In Study 2, we re-analyzed an existing dataset to explore fMRI activity related to individual differences in handholding analgesia effects in women. Increased activity in a distributed set of brain regions, including valuation-encoding frontostriatal areas, was correlated with lower pain ratings. These results may suggest that social support can reduce pain by changing the value of nociceptive signals. This reduction may be moderated by interpersonal synchrony and relationship dynamics.


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 371-399
Author(s):  
Amaury Pozos-Guillén ◽  
Edith Loredo-Cruz ◽  
Vicente Esparza-Villalpando ◽  
Ricardo Martínez-Rider ◽  
Miguel Noyola-Frías ◽  
...  

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the pain/anxiety levels associated with the anesthetic process by conventional and computer-controlled delivery systems (CCDS) in children. Four electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Dentistry & Oral Science Source/EBSCO) were comprehensively explored for eligible studies, in English or Spanish, published from January 1995 to December 2019. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the PRISMA statement, including only randomized controlled clinical trials. An exhaustive search was performed in different electronic databases under a specific PICO-posed question. Relevant studies were selected based on titles and abstracts, and the full texts were retrieved. From these articles, important information was extracted. Wand demonstrated significantly lower pain than the conventional injection did. In the subgroup by pain scale analysis, the Facial Image Scale and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale showed a significant difference in favor of the CCDS. In general, the reviewed evidence shows that less perceived pain and anxiety occur when the local anesthetic technique is performed with a CCDS than with the traditional technique.


1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
William D. Milheim ◽  
Nancy I. Bredemeier ◽  
Rebecca Clemente

The College of Education at Kent State University has recently implemented a computer-controlled advising system for use by undergraduate education students. This computer program provides information in a variety of different areas including descriptions of various education programs, deadlines and applications, student teaching, and other topics that may be helpful to these students. Preliminary evaluation shows that the system is easy to use and effectively able to answer the questions often asked by undergraduate students in the College.


1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora L. Dubreuil ◽  
Norman S. Endler ◽  
Nicholas P. Spanos

Subjects underwent either low intensity or high intensity acute focal pressure pain of relatively short duration on a baseline and posttest trial. On the posttest subjects in each intensity condition either engaged in distraction (shadowing letters), attended to sensations (redefinition) or were given no treatment (controls). Distraction was more effective than redefinition at reducing rated pain and at enhancing pain tolerance for subjects in the high intensity condition. Subjects who scored as repressors gave lower pain ratings than sensitizers. Moreover, in the high intensity condition repressors given distraction reported significant increases in pain tolerance while sensitizers given distraction showed no changes in tolerance.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio Alejandro Yanes ◽  
Meredith A. Reid ◽  
Lauren Yvette Atlas ◽  
Jarred W. Younger ◽  
Raul Gonzalez ◽  
...  

Substantial effort has been directed toward understanding complex associations between cannabis and pain, yet we have many, and sometimes conflicting, theories regarding cannabinoid analgesia. Although acute effects of cannabis on pain have received considerable attention, long-term effects remain understudied. Two studies were conducted. First, during the laboratory study, we measured pain ratings and pain tolerance in response to pressure-based mechanical pain among recreational cannabis users (n = 33) and cannabis non-users (n = 31). Linear mixed-effects models demonstrated that: (i) pain ratings (0-100 VAS) were not different between groups (B = 1.57 (95% CI: -10.84, 13.99), p = 0.801), (ii) pain tolerance (0-240 mmHg) was associated with anxiety (B = -5.33 (95% CI: -8.29, -2.33) p < 0.001), and (iii) users had lower tolerance after controlling for anxiety (B = -24.62 (95% CI: -49.32, 0.43), p = 0.046). Second, during the internet study, we retested these associations using more ecologically relevant endpoints in a separate sample. Participants completed the Graded Chronic Pain Scale, and pain-related daily interference was compared between users (n = 185) and non-users (n = 586). Linear models showed that interference (0-10 points) was associated with anxiety (B = 0.07 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.09), p < 0.001) and users reported greater interference after controlling for anxiety (B = 0.27 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.46), p = 0.003). Together, these outcomes suggest that regular cannabis use is associated with differences in pain processing, although additional studies are needed to provide enhanced mechanistic understanding.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 298-304
Author(s):  
Hrishikesh Saoji ◽  
Mohan Thomas Nainan ◽  
Naveen Nanjappa ◽  
Mahesh Ravindra Khairnar ◽  
Meeta Hishikar ◽  
...  

Background. Local anesthesia is given to decrease pain perception during dental treatments, but it may itself be a reason for pain and aggravate the dental fear. Computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery system (CCLADS) is one of the alternatives for decreasing the patients’ pain during local anesthesia. This study compared the time required for the recovery from anesthesia, pain/discomfort during injection and pain/discomfort 24 hours after administering local anesthesia with CCLADS, a standard self-aspirating syringe and a conventional disposable 2-mL syringe. Methods. The study was conducted on 90 subjects (an age group of 20-40 years), who suffered from sensitivity during cavity preparation. They were randomly divided into three groups of 30 individuals each to receive intraligamentary anesthesia (2% lignocaine with 1:80,000 adrenaline) using either of the three techniques: CCLADS, a standard self-aspirating syringe, or a conventional disposable 2-mL syringe. The onset of anesthesia, time required for recovery from anesthesia (in minutes), pain/discomfort during injection and pain/discomfort 24 hours after administering local anesthesia were recorded. Results. The time required for the onset of anesthesia and recovery from anesthesia was shorter with CCLADS (4.83±2.31 and 34.2±1.895, respectively) as compared to the standard self-aspirating group (10.83±1.90 and 43.5±7.581, respectively) and the conventional group (11.00±2.03 and 43.5±6.453, respectively) (P<0.001). The patients in the CCLADS group experienced no pain during local anesthesia administration as compared to the patients in the self-aspirating and conventional groups. The CCLADS and self-aspirating groups showed lower pain response as compared to the conventional group for pain after 24 hours. Conclusion. CCLADS can be an effective and pain-free alternative to conventional local anesthetic procedures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Piedimonte ◽  
Denisa Adina Zamfira ◽  
Giulia Guerra ◽  
Sergio Vighetti ◽  
Elisa Carlino

AbstractContingent negative variation (CNV) is an informative electrophysiological measure of pain anticipation showing higher amplitudes when highly painful stimulation is expected while presenting lower amplitudes when low painful stimulation is expected. Two groups of participants were recruited: one group expected and received an electrical stimulation of different intensities while being alone in the room (i.e. without social context), while a second group performed the same experiment with an observer in the room (i.e. with social context). Lower pain ratings and slower reaction times were observed in the group with social context and these results were accompanied in this group by a lower amplitude in the early component of the CNV as well as a lower amplitude of the later component of the wave. These results show that CNV can be considered a precise measure of central elaboration of pain anticipation explaining both its perceptual and motor components.


2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy Yenn May Wee ◽  
Wilma M Hopman

BACKGROUND: A relationship between smoking and development of pain syndromes has been suggested in the literature. The present study examined associations between smoke exposure and other related variables, and pain response to suprathreshold electrical stimulation.METHODS: Subjects were prospectively recruited from a population referred to an electrodiagnostic clinic. Information about age, smoke exposure, caffeine and alcohol consumption was obtained, as well as documented objective signs of stress through physical assessment. One investigator applied two standardized 0.1 ms electrical stimulations (50 mA followed by 100 mA) to asymptomatic extremities at the beginning of each electrodiagnostic session, using consistent technique. Subjects used a visual analogue scale to indicate the level of pain felt after each stimulation.RESULTS: Two hundred fifteen women were included. Current smokers and those currently exposed to second-hand smoke had significantly higher pain ratings (P=0.003 for 50 mA, P=0.005 for 100 mA) than those not currently exposed to smoke. Time since exposure was negatively associated with pain ratings. Those with objective signs of stress reported higher levels of pain, which was significant for the 100 mA stimulation (P=0.046). Linear regression modelling indicated that current smoke exposure and alcohol use were associated with higher pain ratings at both 50 mA and 100 mA, while stress was associated with higher pain ratings and older age was associated with lower pain ratings at 100 mA only.INTERPRETATION: Exposure to cigarette smoke is significantly related to higher reported levels of pain experienced in response to electrical stimulation in this study population. Exposure to smoke can add 10 points to the 100-point visual analogue scale compared with subjects without exposure, with alcohol use adding another eight points. Reported pain decreases as length of time since previous exposure to smoke increases.


1980 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier Seron ◽  
Gérard Deloche ◽  
Geneviève Moulard ◽  
Martine Rousselle

A computer-controlled rehabilitation for aphasics with writing impairments is presented. Subjects were asked to type words under dictation. Each time a letter was typed in its correct position, it was displayed on a screen. If the contrary, the error was not displayed, thus avoiding visual reinforcement of false choices. This method of rehabilitation has proved efficient as concerns typewriting. More importantly, some learning transfer to handwriting was observed at the completion of experimental training. The results showed a significant reduction in the number of misspelled words as well as in the erroneous choice and serial ordering of letters. The stability of the observed improvement is discussed in relationship to variables such as the time elapsed since brain damage and the type of writing difficulty.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document