The Different Effects of Firsthand Pain and Nonpain Electrical Stimulation on Pain Empathy: An EEG Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Empathy for pain is a complex psychological process that enables us to understand the feelings of others experiencing pain. Personal pain experiences may shape our empathetic responses, though the precise relationship between empathy for pain and pain perception is not fully understood.

Objective

This study investigates how firsthand pain experiences influence brain responses related to empathy for pain.

Methods

We recruited 26 participants who underwent either painful or nonpainful electrical stimulation. They were then shown static pictures of hands in painful and nonpainful situations and asked to report their subjective ratings of pain empathy. Electroencephalograph activity was recorded to analyze the neural basis of their experiences.

Results

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SUBMITTER: Chen P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12534147 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature