Effects of pain-incompatible imagery on tolerance of pain, heart rate, and skin resistance.

Imagery is an important component in strategies for coping with pain. In this study, we examined, whether imagery influences tolerance for pain and whether subjects, trained in pain-incompatible imagery differ in heart rate and skin resistance from these in a control group during a pain-induction session. 39 subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: imagery and control. Both groups had two pain-induction sessions. At intake into the study (t1). Pain Tolerance and Psychophysiological Reaction to Pain were assessed using a pressure algometer. After the first session, the experimental group received 1 hr. of training in pain-incompatible imagery. Seven days later, the session was repeated (t2). The results showed that Pain Tolerance was significantly increased in the group who used pain-incompatible imagery. One might follow the notion that increased Pain Tolerance is associated with increased Psychophysiological Pain Reaction, but results suggest the contrary. Subjects trained in pain-incompatible imagery had lower heart rates during the second pain induction than the control group. Groups did not differ with regard to skin resistance. It can be stated that besides information, cues on coping with pain may be helpful in clinical practice.