Influencing Pain Inferences Using Random Numerical Anchoring: Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Numerical anchoring occurs when exposure to a numeric quantity influences a person's subsequent judgment involving other quantities. This could be applicable to the evaluation of pain, where exposure to an unrelated number before the evaluation of pain could influence pain ratings. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to determine whether exposure to a random numeric anchor influences subsequent pain intensity ratings of a hypothetical patient. METHODS:In this study, 385 participants read a vignette describing a patient with chronic pain before being randomly assigned to one of four groups. Groups 1 and 2 spun an 11-wedge number wheel (0-10), which was, unbeknown to the participants, programmed to stop on a high number (8) or a low number (2), respectively. Group 3 spun a similar letter w

SUBMITTER: Lewinson RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7091028 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature