Selective processing of threat-related cues in day surgery patients and prediction of post-operative pain.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the use of a measure of selective processing bias associated with anxiety as a predictor of post-operative pain independently of self-report measures of anxiety.


METHODS
Forty-seven women admitted for minor gynaecological surgical procedures completed a selective processing task (modified Stroop) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory immediately prior to surgery. Following surgery they completed the McGill Short-Form Pain Questionnaire. Intraoperative analgesia consumption was also recorded.


RESULTS
Participants demonstrated significantly slower colour-naming times for physical threat cues than control cues. This was not due to an emotionality effect, as colour-naming times for neutral and positive cues were not significantly different. This bias was congruent with the participants' current concerns, as colour-naming times were significantly slower for physical threat words than for social threat words. This index of selective processing bias significantly predicted post-operative pain independently of self-reported state and trait anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
The advantages of measures of psychological constructs that are not reliant on self-reporting are discussed.
Munafò
Marcus R
MR
University of Southampton, UK. marcus.munafo@clinpharm.ox.ac.uk
Stevenson
Jim
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003118:Color Perception; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010470:Perceptual Masking; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time; D012044:Regression Analysis; D006113:United Kingdom