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Anxiety and stress can predict pain perception following a cognitive stress. Physiol Behav 2010 Aug 04;101(1):87-92

Date

05/04/2010

Pubmed ID

20434475

DOI

10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.04.021

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-77953913326 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   53 Citations

Abstract

Hoeger Bement, M.K., A. Weyer, M. Keller, A. Harkins, and S.K. Hunter. Anxiety and stress can predict pain perception following a cognitive stressor. PHYSIOL BEHAV 000-000. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a cognitive stressor on pain perception and determine individual characteristics that may predict the pain response. Twenty-five subjects participated in three sessions: one familiarization and two experimental. The experimental sessions involved measurement of pain perception before and after 1) mental math tasks (stressor session) and 2) quiet rest (control session). Pain threshold and ratings were assessed with a mechanical noxious stimulus. Changes in stress and anxiety were examined with self-reported and physiological measures including questionnaires, visual analogue scales, and salivary cortisol levels. During the control session, stress and anxiety decreased and pain reports remain unchanged. During the stressor session, stress and anxiety increased and pain reports were variable among subjects. Based on the pain response to mental math, subjects were divided into three groups (increase, decrease or no change in pain). The increase-pain group (n=8) had lower baseline stress and anxiety, lower baseline pain reports, and large anxiety response following the mental math. In contrast, the decrease-pain group (n=9) had higher baseline stress and anxiety levels, higher baseline pain reports, and a large increase in cortisol levels. Thus, the differential response in the changes in pain perception was related to anxiety and stress levels prior to and during the cognitive stressor, indicating that psychosocial characteristics can help determine the stress-induced pain response.

Author List

Hoeger Bement M, Weyer A, Keller M, Harkins AL, Hunter SK

Authors

April Harkins PhD Assistant Professor in the Clinical Laboratory Science department at Marquette University
Marie Hoeger Bement MPT,PhD Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Analysis of Variance
Anxiety
Female
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Male
Mathematical Concepts
Mental Processes
Pain
Pain Measurement
Pain Threshold
Reference Values
Saliva
Stress, Psychological
Young Adult