title: Pain perception and EEG dynamics: does hypnotizability account for the efficacy of the suggestions of analgesia?
abstract: We report novel findings concerning the role of hypnotizability, suggestions of analgesia and the activity of the Behavioral Inhibition/Activation System (BIS/BAS) in the modulation of the subjective experience of pain and of the associated EEG dynamics. The EEG of high (highs) and low hypnotizable participants (lows) who completed the BIS/BAS questionnaire was recorded during basal conditions, tonic nociceptive stimulation without (PAIN) and with suggestions for analgesia (AN). Participants scored the perceived pain intensity at the end of PAIN and AN. The EEG midline dynamics was characterized by indices indicating the signal predictability (Determinism) and complexity (Entropy) obtained through the Recurrence Quantification Analysis. The reduced pain intensity reported by highs during AN was partially accounted for by the activity of the Behavioral Activation System. The decreased midline cortical Determinism observed during nociceptive stimulation in both groups independently of suggestions remained significantly reduced only in lows after controlling for the activity of the Behavioral Activation System. Finally, controlling for the activity of the Behavioral Inhibition System abolished stimulation, suggestions and hypnotizability-related differences. Results indicate that the BIS/BAS activity may be more important than hypnotizability itself in pain modulation and in the associated EEG dynamics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Italy; Complex Systems Community, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Madeo
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Castellani
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Italy; Complex Systems Community, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mocenni
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: enricals@dfb.unipi.it.
authors.forename: Enrica Laura
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Santarcangelo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D058256:Brain Waves / Q000502:physiology; D019277:Entropy; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D058748:Pain Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Analgesia; BIS/BAS; EEG dynamics; Hypnotizability; Pain; Suggestions