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Suggestions for Pain Reduction and Response to Cold-Induced Pain

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Abstract

4 groups of male Ss were exposed to 3 minutes of continuous pain stimulation (immersion of the hand in cold water). Prior to stimulation, 3 of the groups received suggestions designed to reduce pain, while the fourth group (control) did not. Relaxation suggestions were effective in reducing subjective pain, whether given alone or together with suggestions to imagine the hand as numb. However, when relaxation suggestions were given together with suggestions to imagine the hand as warm, they were ineffective. Although subjective reports of pain differed among the groups, physiological measures did not.

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Author notes

  1. Richard F. Q. Johnson

    Present address: Medfield Foundation, Medfield, Massachusetts, 02052, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pioneering Research Laboratory, U. S. Army Natick Laboratories, USA

    Richard F. Q. Johnson

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  1. Richard F. Q. Johnson
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Johnson, R.F.Q. Suggestions for Pain Reduction and Response to Cold-Induced Pain. Psychol Rec 24, 161–169 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394230

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394230

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