Counter-stimulatory effects on pain perception and processing are significantly altered by attention: an fMRI study.
Counter-stimulation reduces pain perception; however, the role of attention during this process is rarely discussed despite attention itself being a well known modulator of pain perception. This study investigated the effect of attentional modulation on pain perception during counter-stimulation using fMRI. Subjects received a noxious thermal stimulus together with an innocuous vibratory counter-stimulus. Subjects directed their attention towards either pain, vibration, or a neutral visual stimulus. During painful and counter-stimulation all subjects reported a reduction in pain perception when attending to counter-stimulation compared with attending to pain. Imaging data supported this behavioural finding showing reduced activity in pain processing areas (anterior cingulate, insula, thalamus). These results suggest attention plays an important part in the pain relief experienced from counter-stimulation.
Longe
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Centre for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain (FMRIB), Dept of Clinical Neurology, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
Wise
R
R
Bantick
S
S
Lloyd
D
D
Johansen-Berg
H
H
McGlone
F
F
Tracey
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I
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059408:Pain Management; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*