Distraction from pain depends on task demands and motivation.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Pain captures attention automatically, yet we can inhibit pain when we are motivated to perform other tasks. Previous studies show that engaging in a cognitively demanding task reduces pain compared with a task that is minimally demanding, yet the effects of motivation on this pain-reducing effect remain largely unexplored.

Objectives

In this study, we hypothesized that motivating people to engage in a task with high demands would lead to more cognitive resources directed toward the task, thereby amplifying its pain-reducing effects.

Methods

On different trials, participants performed an easy (left-right arrow discrimination) or demanding (2-back) cognitive task while receiving nonpainful or painful heat stimuli. In half of the trials, monetary rewards we

SUBMITTER: Vogel TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9612955 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature