Pain, Learning, and Nocebo

Launched by LEIDEN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · Feb 16, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Main outcome variable:

- The magnitude of induced nocebo hyperalgesia is defined as the difference in pain ratings for the first nocebo trial compared to the first control trial of the extinction phase.

A significant difference here is assessed within the mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA), comparing within-subjects differences for control and nocebo trials between DCS and placebo groups.

Time frame: On the day of the experimental session, during the extinction phase

Secondary outcome variables:

* The difference in BOLD response at a series of a priori ROIs between pharmacologica...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aged 18 - 35 years
• • Good understanding of the English language
• • Normal or corrected to normal vision
• Exclusion Criteria:
• A potential participant who meets any of the following exclusion criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
• • 1. History of serious or chronic medical or psychiatric conditions (e.g., convulsions (epilepsy), cardiovascular problems, depression; careful and detailed screening will be carried out for both medical and psychiatric conditions)
• • 2. History of chronic pain or itch conditions
• • 3. Experiencing pain or itch of 1 or more on a 0-10 pain / itch NRS on the day of testing
• • 4. Currently using antihistamines, analgesic medication, or itch-reducing medication (in the 24 hours prior to testing)
• • 5. Use of psychotropic drugs (including recreational drugs such as cannabis and psychotropic prescription-medication; in the past month)
• • 6. Currently being (or intending to become) pregnant, or currently breastfeeding, or planning to father a child in the next 3 months
• • 7. Colour-blindness
• • 8. Body Mass Index under 16 or over 30
• • 9. Meeting any exclusion criteria in the fMRI examination questionnaire which would prohibit fMRI scanning.
• • 10. Having too high of a threshold for pain (where high pain cannot be induced with temperatures lower than 49.5 °C).