The influence of warning signal timing and cognitive preparation on the aversiveness of cold-pressor pain.
This study examined the role of prior warning time, cognitive preparation and self-efficacy in the reaction to cold-pressor pain that has a substantial stimulus duration and leaves a residual effect. Forty-eight, paid, male subjects were randomly assigned to one of 3 cognitive preparation groups: (1) Training group, provided with a self-instructional booklet of pain control techniques, (2) Citizenship group, to control for reading a booklet, and (3) Control group with no advanced preparation. Warning times used on a within-subjects basis were 0, 30, and 180 sec prior to immersion of their arms in cold water. Results indicated that overall, the 180 sec warning time yielded the lowest pain ratings. Warning time had no effect on duration in water for subjects who underwent training, but the 30 sec and 180 sec warning time yielded longer duration in water, for subjects in the other groups. The Training group preparation was effective in raising perceived self-efficacy for coping with pain which, in turn, was found to be correlated with pain tolerance. Perceived self-efficacy was also found to have an effect on heart rate with high scorers yielding a lower reaction upon immersion into the cold water compared to the low scorers. The results point to the need to consider the effect of the stimulus characteristics and the centrality of perceived self-efficacy when preparing a subject prior to pain stimulation.
Weisenberg
Matisyohu
M
Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
Schwarzwald
Joseph
J
Tepper
Inbal
I
D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011312:Pressure; D013997:Time Factors