Do Emotions and Pain Combined Affect Mechanical Pain Thresholds and Other Pain-related Variables

Do Emotions and Pain Combined Affect Mechanical Pain Thresholds and Other Pain-related Variables

The purpose of this study is to investigate if different emotional states could influence mechanical pain thresholds and other pain - related variables such as pain tolerance, pain intensity and pain - related negative affect.

Participants will be randomized into 4 different groups watching different short video-clips (2.20 min), while at the same time experience short-lasting, experimentally induced pain. The negative emotions group will watch an uncomfortable short video containing violence and blood, the positive emotions group will watch a video containing a stand-up comedy show, the neutral emotions group will watch a video about how to paint a house, and the control group will just wait for 2.20 min, without any instructions about what to think about. Pressure pain thresholds will be measured with an algometer before and after the video-clip combined with experimental pain interventions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Above 18 years of age
• Fluent in Swedish.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pain anywhere in body during the test session
• Known neurological disease.