Nocebo hyperalgesia induced by social observational learning.

Nocebo effects can be acquired by verbal suggestion, but it is unknown whether they can be induced through observational learning and whether they are influenced by factors known to influence pain perception, such as pain anxiety or pain catastrophizing. Eighty-five female students (aged 22.5 ± 4.4 years) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions. Participants in the control condition (CC) received information that an ointment had no effect on pain perception. Participants in the verbal suggestion condition (VSC) received information that it increased pain sensitivity. Participants in the social observational learning condition (OLC) watched a video in which a model displayed more pain when ointment was applied. Subsequently, all participants received three pressure pain stimuli (60 seconds) on each hand. On one hand, the ointment was applied prior to the stimulation. Numerical pain ratings were collected at 20-second intervals during pain stimulation. The participants filled in questionnaires regarding pain-related attitudes (Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Somatosensory Amplification Scale). Participants in the OLC showed higher pain ratings with than without ointment. Pain ratings within the CC and the VSC were at the same level with and without ointment. In the VSC, the pain ratings were higher than in the CC with and without ointment. The nocebo response correlated with pain catastrophizing but not with pain anxiety or somatosensory amplification. A nocebo response to pressure pain was induced by observational learning but not by verbal suggestion. This finding highlights the importance of investigating the influence of observational learning on nocebo hyperalgesia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Accession Number: 2013-24167-035. PMID: 23707275 Partial author list: First Author & Affiliation: Vögtle, Elisabeth; Georg-Elias-Muller-Institute for Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Gottingen, Gottingen, Germany. Other Publishers: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Release Date: 20131118. Correction Date: 20160421. Publication Type: Journal (0100), Peer Reviewed Journal (0110). Format Covered: Electronic. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: English. Major Descriptor: Analgesia; Observational Learning; Pain Perception; Somatosensory Disorders. Minor Descriptor: Verbal Communication. Classification: Physical & Somatoform & Psychogenic Disorders (3290). Population: Human (10); Female (40). Age Group: Adulthood (18 yrs & older) (300). Tests & Measures: Cold-Pressor Task; Numerical Pain Ratings Measure; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory—Trait Version; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory—State Version; Empathic Concern Scale; Interpersonal Reactivity Index—German Version; Perspective-Talking Scale; Fantasy Scale; Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale DOI: 10.1037/t10825-000; Somatosensory Amplification Scale DOI: 10.1037/t14242-000; Pain Catastrophizing Scale DOI: 10.1037/t01304-000. Methodology: Empirical Study; Quantitative Study. References Available: Y. Page Count: 7. Issue Publication Date: Aug, 2013. Publication History: Accepted Date: Apr 23, 2013; Revised Date: Mar 28, 2013; First Submitted Date: Feb 15, 2013. Copyright Statement: Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. International Association for the Study of Pain. 2013.