Catastrophizing delays the analgesic effect of distraction

a b s t r a c t Behavioral analgesic techniques such as distraction reduce pain in both clinical and experimental settings. Individuals differ in the magnitude of distraction-induced analgesia, and additional study is needed to identify the factors that influence the pain relieving effects of distraction. Catastrophizing, a set of negative emotional and cognitive processes, is widely recognized to be associated with increased reports of pain. We sought to evaluate the relationship between catastrophizing and distraction analgesia. Healthy participants completed three sessions in a randomized order. In one session (Pain Alone), pain was induced by topical application of a 10% capsaicin cream and simultaneous administration of a tonic heat stimulus. In another session (Pain + Distraction), identical capsaicin + heat application procedures were followed, but subjects played video games that required a high level of attention. During both sessions, verbal ratings of pain were obtained and participants rated their degree of catastrophizing. During the other session (Distraction Alone) subjects played the video games in the absence of any pain stimulus. Pain was rated significantly lower during the distraction session compared to the ''Pain Alone" session. In addition, high catastrophizers rated pain significantly higher regardless of whether the subjects were distracted. Catastrophizing did not influence the overall degree of distraction analgesia; however, early in the session high catastrophizers had little distraction analgesia, though later in the session low and high catastrophizers rated pain similarly. These results suggest that both distraction and catastrophizing have substantial effects on experimental pain in normal subjects and these variables interact as a function of time.

Polymorphisms in the GTP cyclohydrolase gene (GCH1) are associated with ratings of capsaicin pain

In this paper, the results obtained on the perspectives of older adults are presented, particularly in relation to their present situation and future projection. 85 older adults (65 women and 20 men) who took part in different institutions of La Plata City were included. The reflection workshops were in general about aging, psychological and social changes and considerations on the time dimension that they bring. Implementing these workshops about the mentioned themes has allowed us to establish some issues of interest to develop, design and carry out a specific process of guidance for older adults, in which the protagonist is the subject with its desires and interests, as we conceive that in guidance it is essential to consider the singularity, to support them during the aging process (in some cases marked by retirement), so the older adults can question themselves about their new possibilities, can decide where to be involved, question themselves about interests, motivations and desires, often postponed, since it is not about spend the spare time, but to make new projects and achieve them. &nbsp