Investigating how emotions affect pain thresholds

Do Emotions and Pain Combined Affect Mechanical Pain Thresholds and Other Pain-related Variables

Not applicable Interventional Linnaeus University · NCT06840743

This study tests how different emotions, like happiness or sadness, can change how much pain people feel when they experience a short burst of pain.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment180 (estimated)
Ages19 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorLinnaeus University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Växjö)
Trial IDNCT06840743 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study examines the impact of different emotional states on mechanical pain thresholds and related pain variables. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups, each watching a different short video while experiencing short-lasting, experimentally induced pain. The groups include those exposed to negative emotions, positive emotions, neutral emotions, and a control group. Pain thresholds will be measured before and after the video intervention using an algometer.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals over 18 years old who are fluent in Swedish.

Not a fit: Patients experiencing pain during the test session or those with known neurological diseases may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of how emotions influence pain perception, potentially leading to improved pain management strategies.

How similar studies have performed: While the interplay between emotions and pain has been explored, this specific approach of using varied emotional stimuli in a controlled setting is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Above 18 years of age
* Fluent in Swedish.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pain anywhere in body during the test session
* Known neurological disease.

Where this trial is running

Växjö

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pain ThresholdsPressure Pain ThresholdsPainEmotions
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.