Does Boredom With Simultaneously Perceived Pain Affect Pressure Pain Thresholds

Does Boredom With Simultaneously Perceived Pain Affect Sensitivity to Pressure and Other Pain-related Variables?

The purpose of this study is to investigate if different emotional states such as boredom and happiness 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 3 different groups watching different short video-clips (2.30 min), while at the same time experience short-lasting, experimentally induced pain. The boredom emotions group will watch a short boring video, the positive emotions group will watch a video containing a stand-up comedy show and this video will also be the distraction control, and the control group will just wait for 2.30 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 and below 80 years of age.
• Fluent in Swedish.

Exclusion Criteria:

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