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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06840743

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Pain Thresholds Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

19 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Linnaeus University

Vaxjo, 343 32, Sweden

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Above 18 years of age
  • Fluent in Swedish.

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

Emotional intervention

Other

The participant will watch a short video-clip with negative emotional content while simultaneously experience experimentally induced pain.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs)

    Time frame: For each participant, baseline PPTs are measured, intervention follows and intervention PPTs are measured. This will be conducted at one appointment (30 min) for each participant. Recruitment for single appointments will take place for 18 months.

    Pressure pain thresholds will be measured i kPa with a handheld algometer (Somedic AB).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain tolerance (time in seconds the left hand is immersed in cold water 1 degree C).

    Time frame: At a single session (30 min), the participant will keep their hand immersed in cold water for as long as possible while watching a video. This time will be measured in seconds. Participants are successively recruited for single appointmentsfor 18 months.

    The measure pain tolerance equals the time the time the participant keeps their left hand immersed in cold water (1 degree C), before they decide to withdraw their hand. This will be measured in seconds. For each participant, the maximum time to keep the hand immersed in water is 300 seconds.

  2. Pain intensity on the NRS

    Time frame: The pain intensity will be estimated at every single session appointment (30 min) after the intervention on the NRS (Numerical Rating Scale). The participants will be successively recruited for single session appointments for 18 months.

    Participants will rate their perceived pain intensity on the NRS (Numerical Rating Scale) after the intervention (film-clip combined with pain induction using the cold pressor apparatus with cold water 1 degree C. This will take place on a single session appointment for each participant. Participants will be successively recruited for single session appointments for 18 months.

  3. Pain-related negative affect on the NRS-A

    Time frame: Negative affect will be estimated at every single test session (30 min) on the NRS-A (Numerical Rating Scale-Anxiety) directly after the intervention. The participants will be successively recruited for single session appointments during 18 months.

    Perceived pain-related negative affect will be estimated on the NRS-A (Numerical Rating Scale- Anxiety) after the intervention (film-clip combined with pain induction with the cold pressor apparatus with cold water 1 degree C).The pain intensity will be estimated at every single session appointment (30 min) after the intervention on the NRS (Numerical Rating Scale). The participants will be successively recruited for single session appointments for 18 months.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Linnaeus University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Feb 21, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 30, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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