Exploring how pain expectancy influences the pain experience

This study investigates how individual differences in expectation of pain influences the overall perception and experience of pain.

Longer Study Description

Pain acts as an alert signal to warn oneself of actual or potential danger, yet the experience of pain is modifiable by the expectations we have. Using exercise as an example, if completing a cardio-based workout that usually feels easy but on this occasion is far from, the workout is experienced negatively. Expectations are formed based on previous experiences and the knowledge that we hold, yet they can be heavily influenced by social interactions from professionals, peers, and available information. Expectations allow psychological and physiological preparation; however, when the experience of pain does not match expectation, managing the pain experience can become a struggle, impacting well-being further. This can be especially problematic for people with chronic pain who are influenced by other people’s opinions.

This research aims to provide insight into pain-related expectations that could improve the management and treatment of chronic pain conditions. This could improve quality of life for millions of people who suffer from chronic pain, reducing the burden on healthcare systems, over-reliance on medications, and enhancing overall well-being.

Volunteering for this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a study with far-reaching benefits, whilst learning about your own expectations can be empowering for personal growth.  

What will participants be doing?

The study is anticipated to take an hour of your time.

This is the laboratory experiment where you will partake in three identical pain-induced scenarios. Pain will be administered via a tourniquet-ischemia procedure (this is explained below). Prior to this you will rate how much you expect the pain to a) bother you, and b) how intense it will be, and then immediately after rate how the experience did feel. For example, the pain might be intense, but it doesn’t bother your mood and sense of safety, or any combination.

Prior to each pain event you will be provided with a sentence unscrambling task, where you rearrange five words into a sensical order and identify a word that does not make sense in the sentence. This whole process will be completed three times, followed by a short series of questionnaires and questions regarding your experience of pain.

The procedure for the tourniquet ischemia pain stimulus is safe, with no long-lasting effects, and has been used in previous research. It generates a dull, aching, and throbbing pain, like that experienced by exercise-induced muscle soreness, with any pain diminishing within a few minutes. A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your upper arm. You will squeeze a hand dynamometer at 50% of your maximal effort, every 2 seconds for 2 minutes. You raise your arm overhead for 15 seconds before the blood pressure cuff is inflated to 200 mm Hg when the arm is lowered. This is endured for 5 minutes. Please wear a sleeveless or short-sleeved top, to enable the blood pressure cuff to be easily applied.

Apply

To apply, please email Cheryl Williams (cheryl.williams@port.ac.uk).

Participant characteristics:

• Aged 18+
• Any gender
• Students, staff and the general public

• Participants should NOT have anything on the exclusion list. If you are unsure, please contact the researcher to discuss.

Exclusion list: long term illness or chronic pain conditions, current pain, cognitive impairment, traumatic head injury, substance addiction, any diabetic conditions, cancer patients who are currently undergoing chemotherapy, history of cardiovascular disorder, history of fainting or seizures, open cut/sore on hand or upper arm, fracture in hand or forearms, being pregnant, or consumption of analgesic medication in the 24 hours prior to testing.

Closing date

The closing date for applications is Friday 5 July 2024.

Location

King Henry Building, Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY. You will be greeted in the lobby.

Contact

Please contact Cheryl Williams (cheryl.williams@port.ac.uk) for further information.

ERGO number: 92353

University of Southampton approved ethics code. Study funded by the SCDTP.