Spatial summation of pain is associated with pain expectations: Results from a home-based paradigm

The purpose of this study was to reproduce the previously observed spatial summation of pain effect (SSp) using non-laboratory procedures and commercial equipment. An additional aim was to explore the association between expectations and SSp. The Cold Pressor Task (CPT) was used to induce SSp. Healt...

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Published in:bioRxiv 2024-01
Main Authors: Nastaj, Jakub, Skalski, Jacek, Budzisz, Aleksandra, Szikszay, Tibor M, Swoboda, Sylwia, Kowalska, Weronika, Nowak, Daria, Zbroja, Edyta, Kruszyna, Natalia, Jakubinska, Marta, Grygny, Dominika, Polczyk, Romuald, Malecki, Andrzej, Luedtke, Kerstin, Adamczyk, Waclaw M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Laboratories
Pain
Pain perception
Pandemics
Withdrawal
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Summary:The purpose of this study was to reproduce the previously observed spatial summation of pain effect (SSp) using non-laboratory procedures and commercial equipment. An additional aim was to explore the association between expectations and SSp. The Cold Pressor Task (CPT) was used to induce SSp. Healthy participants (N=68) immersed their non-dominant hands (divided into 5 segments) into cold water (Cold Pressor Task). Two conditions were used 1) gradual hand immersion (ascending condition) and 2) gradual hand withdrawal (descending condition). Pain intensity was measured on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The influence of psychological factors, such as the volunteer's expectations of pain intensity, on the actual perception of pain were also measured on a VAS. Results showed significant SSp (p < 0.001), reproduced with non-laboratory equipment in a home-based set-up. Furthermore, two novel findings were observed: i) there was a significant correlation between expectations and perceived pain, indicating a link between pain expectations and SSp, ii) spatial summation increased with the increase in duration exposure to the noxious stimulus (p < 0.001). This study suggests that SSp is shaped by a mixture of excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms and can be influenced by the temporal summation of the nociceptive system. Moreover, this study proposes a new feasible way to induce SSp using a home-based set-up.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.Footnotes* Here we revised the paper in line with reviewer's comments. We also, refined some parts of the introduction and discussion, corrected typos and errors in the results description, linked database with the manuscript.* https://osf.io/8x7fa/
DOI:10.1101/2022.09.30.510274