Abstract
Background
Research on placebo analgesia commonly focuses on the impact of information about direction (i.e. increase or decrease of pain) and magnitude of the expected analgesic effect whereas temporal aspects of expectations have received little attention so far. In a recent study using short‐lasting, low‐intensity stimuli we demonstrated that placebo analgesia onset is influenced by temporal information. Here, we investigate whether the same effect of temporal suggestions can be found in longer lasting, high‐intensity pain in a Cold Pressor Test (CPT).
Methods
Fifty‐three healthy volunteers were allocated to one of three groups. Participants were informed that the application of an (inert‐)cream would reduce pain after 5 minutes (P5) or 30 minutes (P30). The third group was informed that the cream only had hydrating properties (NE). All participants completed the CPT at baseline, and 10 (Test10) and 35 minutes (Test35) following cream application. Percentage change in exposure time (pain tolerance) from baseline to Test10 (Δ10) and to Test35 (Δ35) as well as changes in heart rate (HR) during CPT were compared between the three groups.
Results
Δ 10 was greater in P5 than in NE and P30, indicating that analgesia was only present in the group that was expecting an early onset of analgesia. Δ 35 was greater in P5 and P30 compared to NE, reflecting a delayed onset of analgesia in P30 and maintained analgesia in P5. HR differences between groups were not significant.
Conclusions
Our data suggest that ‘externally timing’ of placebo analgesia may be possible for prolonged types of pain.
from Wiley: European Journal of Pain: Table of Contents https://ift.tt/3dDzPN9
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