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Sharpe L, Rooney T, Todd J, Michalski SC, Van Ryckeghem D, Crombez G, Colagiuri B. Attentional Processes in Pain: The Importance of Context and Attentional Alignment. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024:104600. [PMID: 38866122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The attentional bias literature has consistently failed to take context into account. We developed a novel paradigm in immersive virtual reality (VR) with pain stimuli where it would be adaptive or nonadaptive to attend to the stimuli. Participants had to indicate the location of the stimuli. Seventy participants were recruited. The VR-attention task assessed overall attentional bias (the tendency to prioritize pain compared with nonpain stimuli) and attentional alignment (the tendency to attend to pain more in adaptive than nonadaptive situations). Pain tolerance and threshold were measured using electrocutaneous stimulation and thermal pain. We conducted 2 (context: adaptive vs nonadaptive) × 2 (congruence: congruent vs incongruent) Analysis of Covariance, controlling for threat. Participants responded to pain probes more quickly in adaptive than nonadaptive contexts. There was an overall bias away from pain-related stimuli (avoidance) in reaction time to the target. There was also an interaction where avoidance was greater in nonadaptive contexts, indicative of attentional alignment. For gaze behavior, both attentional alignment and attentional bias were observed for latency to first fixation on the target, such that participants showed vigilance for pain particularly in the adaptive context. Attentional alignment was correlated with threshold and tolerance from electrocutaneous stimulation but not thermal pain. In conclusion, we found overall attentional biases indicating vigilance (latency to first fixation) and avoidance (response to target). We also found that participants evidenced a pattern of attention favoring adaptive over nonadaptive contexts (attentional alignment). It was attentional alignment, but not overall attentional bias, that predicted pain tolerance and threshold. PERSPECTIVE: The study explored attentional processes in pain through a novel paradigm designed in VR. The results found that positive attentional alignment, or the tendency to attend to pain more in adaptive contexts rather than nonadaptive contexts, predicted pain outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Sharpe
- School of Psychology A18, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Tessa Rooney
- School of Psychology A18, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jemma Todd
- School of Psychology A18, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stefan Carlo Michalski
- School of Psychology A18, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dimitri Van Ryckeghem
- Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Geert Crombez
- Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ben Colagiuri
- School of Psychology A18, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Abudoush AN, Noureen A, Panagioti M, Poliakoff E, Van Ryckeghem DML, Hodkinson A, Husain N. What can we learn about selective attention processes in individuals with chronic pain using reaction time tasks? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain 2023:00006396-990000000-00285. [PMID: 37043743 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Information-processing biases such as attentional, interpretation, and memory biases are believed to play a role in exacerbating and maintaining chronic pain (CP). Evidence suggests that individuals with CP show attentional bias toward pain-related information. However, the selective attentional processes that underpin this bias are not always well outlined in the literature. To improve current understanding, a systematic review was performed using a descriptive synthesis of reaction time-based studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was added to explore whether the results of previous meta-analyses would be confirmed using studies with a larger sample size. For this review, 2008 studies were screened from 4 databases, of which 34 (participant n = 3154) were included in the review and a subset of 15 (participant n = 1339) were included in the meta-analysis. Review results were summarised by producing a descriptive synthesis for all studies. Meta-analysis results indicated a mild significant attentional bias toward sensory pain-related information (k = 15, g = 0.28, 95% CI [0.16, 0.39], I2 = 43.2%, P = 0.038), and preliminary evidence of significant moderate bias towards affective pain-related information (k = 3, g = 0.48, 95% CI [0.23, 0.72], I2 = 7.1%, P = 0.341) for CP groups compared with control groups. We explored the main tasks, stimuli, and CP subtypes used to address attentional biases and related processes. However, variation across studies did not allow for a decisive conclusion about the role of stimulus, task type, or related attentional processes. In addition, a table of CP attention-related models was produced and tested for reliability. Finally, other results and recommendations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad N Abudoush
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Amna Noureen
- Department of Applied Psychology, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Maria Panagioti
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen Poliakoff
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Dimitri M L Van Ryckeghem
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Alexander Hodkinson
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nusrat Husain
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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3
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Broadbent P, Schoth DE, Liossi C. Association between attentional bias to experimentally induced pain and to pain-related words in healthy individuals: the moderating role of interpretation bias. Pain 2022; 163:319-333. [PMID: 34086628 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Attentional bias to pain-related information may contribute to chronic pain maintenance. It is theoretically predicted that attentional bias to pain-related language derives from attentional bias to painful sensations; however, the complex interconnection between these types of attentional bias has not yet been tested. This study aimed to investigate the association between attentional bias to pain words and attentional bias to the location of pain, as well as the moderating role of pain-related interpretation bias in this association. Fifty-four healthy individuals performed a visual probe task with pain-related and neutral words, during which eye movements were tracked. In a subset of trials, participants were presented with a cold pain stimulus on one hand. Pain-related interpretation and memory biases were also assessed. Attentional bias to pain words and attentional bias to the pain location were not significantly correlated, although the association was significantly moderated by interpretation bias. A combination of pain-related interpretation bias and attentional bias to painful sensations was associated with avoidance of pain words. In addition, first fixation durations on pain words were longer when the pain word and cold pain stimulus were presented on the same side of the body, as compared to on opposite sides. This indicates that congruency between the locations of pain and pain-related information may strengthen attentional bias. Overall, these findings indicate that cognitive biases to pain-related information interact with cognitive biases to somatosensory information. The implications of these findings for attentional bias modification interventions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christina Liossi
- University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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4
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Jiang X, Wang Y, Wan R, Feng B, Zhang Z, Lin Y, Wang Y. The effect of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation on pain processing in a healthy population: A single-blinded crossover controlled study. Neurosci Lett 2022; 767:136304. [PMID: 34695451 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is increasingly used in pain treatment. tDCS targeting both primary motor cortex (M1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) may modulate the descending pain inhibitory system, however, it remains controversial regarding the optimal stimulation region for pain modulation. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects of high-definition anodic stimulation of M1 and DLPFC on conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and pain thresholds and establish a preferred stimulation setting. Twenty-six healthy adults were randomly assigned to M1-tDCS, DLPFC-tDCS, or sham-tDCS groups. During the three sessions, each participant received an active or sham stimulation of 2 mA for 20 min, with at least 3 days' interval between sessions. Quantitative sensory tests were performed to obtain pressure pain threshold (PPT), cold pain threshold (CPT), and CPM before and after the tDCS intervention. Only M1-tDCS significantly increased CPM in healthy individuals compared with sham control (P = 0.004). No statistically significant difference was found in PPT and CPT between tDCS vs. sham control (P > 0.05). Our findings further support the important role of M1 as a target in pain regulation. Further large-scale, multicenter studies in chronic pain populations are needed to validate the alterations of distinct target brain regions related to pain and thus for an optimal target stimulation strategy in pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Jiang
- Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yafei Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruihan Wan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, China
| | - Beibei Feng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Orthopedics & Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Ziping Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yangyang Lin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuling Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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5
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Bradshaw J, Brown N, Kingstone A, Brotto L. Asexuality vs. sexual interest/arousal disorder: Examining group differences in initial attention to sexual stimuli. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261434. [PMID: 34914809 PMCID: PMC8675737 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention is considered to be a critical part of the sexual response cycle, and researchers have differentiated between the roles of initial (involuntary) and subsequent (voluntary) attention paid to sexual stimuli as part of the facilitation of sexual arousal. Prior studies using eye-tracking methodologies have shown differing initial attention patterns to erotic stimuli between men and women, as well as between individuals of different sexual orientations. No study has directly compared initial attention to sexual stimuli in asexual individuals, defined by their lack of sexual attraction, to women with Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (SIAD), a disorder characterized by a reduced or absent interest in sex coupled with significant personal distress. The current study tested differences in the initial attention patterns of 29 asexual individuals (Mage = 26.56, SD = 4.80) and 25 heterosexual women with SIAD (Mage = 27.52, SD = 4.87), using eye-tracking. Participants were presented with sexual and neutral stimuli, and their initial eye movements and initial fixations to both image types and areas of erotic contact within sexual images were recorded. Mixed-model ANOVAs and t-tests were used to compare the two groups on the speed with which their initial fixations occurred, the duration of their initial fixations, and the proportion of initial fixations made to sexual stimuli. On two indices of initial attention, women with SIAD displayed an initial attention preference for sexual stimuli over neutral stimuli compared to asexual participants. This study adds to a growing literature on the distinction between asexuality and SIAD, indicating that differences in early attention may be a feature that differentiates the groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Bradshaw
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Natalie Brown
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Alan Kingstone
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lori Brotto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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6
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Priebe JA, Horn-Hofmann C, Wolf D, Wolff S, Heesen M, Knippenberg-Bigge K, Lang P, Lautenbacher S. Attentional processing of pain faces and other emotional faces in chronic pain-an eye-tracking study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252398. [PMID: 34048466 PMCID: PMC8162699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered attentional processing of pain-associated stimuli-which might take the form of either avoidance or enhanced vigilance-is thought to be implicated in the development and maintenance of chronic pain. In contrast to reaction time tasks like the dot probe, eye tracking allows for tracking the time course of visual attention and thus differentiating early and late attentional processes. Our study aimed at investigating visual attention to emotional faces in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain (N = 20) and matched pain-free controls (N = 20). Emotional faces (pain, angry, happy) were presented in pairs with a neutral face for 2000 ms each. Three parameters were determined: First fixation probabilities, fixation durations (overall and divided in four 500 ms intervals) and a fixation bias score as the relative fixation duration of emotional faces compared to neutral faces. There were no group differences in any of the parameters. First fixation probabilities were lower for pain faces than for angry faces. Overall, we found longer fixation duration on emotional compared to neutral faces ('emotionality bias'), which is in accord with previous research. However, significant longer fixation duration compared to the neutral face was detected only for happy and angry but not for pain faces. In addition, fixation durations as well as bias scores yielded evidence for vigilant-avoidant processing of pain faces in both groups. These results suggest that attentional bias towards pain-associated stimuli might not generally differentiate between healthy individuals and chronic pain patients. Exaggerated attentional bias in patients might occur only under specific circumstances, e.g., towards stimulus material specifically relating to the specific pain of the patients under study or under high emotional distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janosch A. Priebe
- Department of Physiological Psychology, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, MRI, Center for Interdisciplinary Pain Management–Rise-uP, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Claudia Horn-Hofmann
- Department of Physiological Psychology, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Wolf
- Department of Physiological Psychology, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Wolff
- Department of Physiological Psychology, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Michael Heesen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Therapy, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | | | - Philip Lang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Therapy, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Lautenbacher
- Department of Physiological Psychology, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
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7
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The time course of attentional biases in pain: a meta-analysis of eye-tracking studies. Pain 2021; 162:687-701. [PMID: 32960534 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Previous meta-analyses investigating attentional biases towards pain have used reaction time measures. Eye-tracking methods have been adopted to more directly and reliably assess biases, but this literature has not been synthesized in relation to pain. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the nature and time course of attentional biases to pain-related stimuli in participants of all ages with and without chronic pain using eye-tracking studies and determine the role of task parameters and theoretically relevant moderators. After screening, 24 studies were included with a total sample of 1425 participants. Between-group analyses revealed no significant overall group differences for people with and without chronic pain on biases to pain-related stimuli. Results indicated significant attentional biases towards pain-related words or pictures across both groups on probability of first fixation (k = 21, g = 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15-0.71, P = 0.002), how long participants looked at each picture in the first 500 ms (500-ms epoch dwell: k = 5, g = 0.69, 95% CI 0.034-1.35, P = 0.039), and how long participants looked at each picture overall (total dwell time: k = 25, g = 0.44, 95% CI 0.15-0.72, P = 0.003). Follow-up analyses revealed significant attentional biases on probability of first fixation, latency to first fixation and dwell time for facial stimuli, and number of fixations for sensory word stimuli. Moderator analyses revealed substantial influence of task parameters and some influence of threat status and study quality. Findings support biases in both vigilance and attentional maintenance for pain-related stimuli but suggest attentional biases towards pain are ubiquitous and not related to pain status.
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8
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Fan M, Jie J, Luo P, Pang Y, Xu D, Yu G, Zhao S, Chen W, Zheng X. Social Exclusion Down-Regulates Pain Empathy at the Late Stage of Empathic Responses: Electrophysiological Evidence. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:634714. [PMID: 33732123 PMCID: PMC7956954 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.634714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Social exclusion has a significant impact on cognition, emotion, and behavior. Some behavioral studies investigated how social exclusion affects pain empathy. Conclusions were inconsistent, and there is a lack of clarity in identifying which component of pain empathy is more likely to be affected. To investigate these issues, we used a Cyberball task to manipulate feelings of social exclusion. Two groups (social exclusion and social inclusion) participated in the same pain empathy task while we recorded event-related potentials (ERP) when participants viewed static images of body parts in painful and neutral situations. The results showed early N2 differentiation between painful and neutral pictures in the central regions in both groups. The pattern at the late controlled processing stage was different. Parietal P3 amplitudes for painful pictures were significantly smaller than those for neutral pictures in the social exclusion group; they did not differ in the social inclusion group. We observed a parietal late positive potential (LPP) differentiation between painful and neutral pictures in both groups. LPP amplitudes were significantly smaller in the social exclusion group than those in the social inclusion group for painful stimuli. Our results indicate that social exclusion does not affect empathic responses during the early emotional sharing stage. However, it down-regulates empathic responses at the late cognitive controlled stage, and this modulation is attenuated gradually. The current study provides neuroscientific evidence of how social exclusion dynamically influences pain empathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Fan
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Jie
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Pinchao Luo
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Pang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Education and Psychological Science, Sichuan University of Science, and Engineering, Zigong, China
| | - Danna Xu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Management, Guangzhou Vocational College of Science and Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gaowen Yu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaochen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,China People's Police University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xifu Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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9
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Li J, Liu X, Yu B, Tang W, Liu X. Attentional Bias for Imperfect Pictures in Perfectionism: An Eye-Movement Study. Front Psychol 2020; 11:566482. [PMID: 33132971 PMCID: PMC7561667 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.566482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although dot-probe paradigms have been widely used in previous studies to investigate the attentional bias of perfectionists, the exact characteristics of this bias are still unclear. Methods In this study, eye-tracking technology was used to compare the attentional patterns of high perfectionists (HP) and low perfectionists (LP). The HP and LP groups (n = 39 vs 34) completed a visual attention task in which they observed perfect vs imperfect picture pairs, during which their eye movements (EMs) were recorded automatically using an EM tracking system. Results Both the HP and LP groups showed an overall attentional bias toward imperfect pictures, as indicated by the criteria of initial visual attention orientation and attentional maintenance. There were no significant differences between the HP and LP groups during the early and middle phases of attention: both groups exhibited a longer total fixation duration on imperfect pictures than on perfect pictures. However, during the late phase of attention, the participants in the HP group diverted their attention away from the imperfect pictures and began to pay more attention to the perfect pictures. By contrast, the participants in the LP group consistently exhibited longer fixation times for imperfect pictures than the HP group during the entire duration of the stimulus. Conclusion These findings indicate that the participants in the HP group tended to avoid imperfect stimuli during the late phase of attention; this may indicate that avoidance plays an important role in maintaining perfectionism. This study also shows that eye-tracking is a useful methodology for measuring the attentional biases of perfectionists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiping Liu
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Xiping Liu,
| | - Bin Yu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Weihai Tang
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinchun Liu
- Institute of Applied Psychology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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10
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Chan FH, Suen H, Jackson T, Vlaeyen JW, Barry TJ. Pain-related attentional processes: A systematic review of eye-tracking research. Clin Psychol Rev 2020; 80:101884. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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11
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Pinel L, Perez-Nieto MA, Redondo M, Rodríguez-Rodríguez L, Gordillo F, León L. Emotional affection on a sustained attention task: The importance the aging process and depression. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234405. [PMID: 32598346 PMCID: PMC7323986 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is a complex experience that has now become a major public health issue. This has prompted many researchers to study attention, understanding it to be a crucial factor that allows altering the experience of pain, while attributing considerable importance to sustained attention. Accordingly, the main studies in this field stress the importance of emotion regulation processes and emotions on the perception of painful stimuli and attentional processes themselves. Nevertheless, only a handful of studies have been found that directly study the relationship between these variables. Within this context, this article sets out to analyse emotional regulation processes, emotional variables (depression and anxiety), the experience of pain, and age on the ability to maintain the vigilance response in a sample of patients with chronic pain. This involved selecting a sample of 49 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and examining their performance in an ad-hoc sustained attention test. With a view to complying with the study's main purpose, the participants were also assessed through the use of the following self-report measures: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-I); the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Linear regression analyses revealed a significant impact of the aging process on the performance times in the attention task. Likewise, age and depression recorded a significant correlation with the mistakes made during the task. These results suggest that higher depression levels and an older age might be related to a worse adaptation to pain management techniques based on attention processes, such as mindfulness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Pinel
- Department of Education and Health, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Marta Redondo
- Department of Education and Health, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Fernando Gordillo
- Department of Education and Health, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Leticia León
- Department of Education and Health, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain
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12
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Hong M, Lee IS, Choi DH, Chae Y. Attentional Bias Toward Cupping Therapy Marks: An Eye-Tracking Study. J Pain Res 2020; 13:1041-1047. [PMID: 32547169 PMCID: PMC7244446 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s252675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Despite the many medical benefits, cupping therapy can be difficult for some patients due to unpleasant marks on the skin. As patients are afraid of the potential painful sensation from cupping therapy, the skin reactions might produce vigilance for treatment as pain-related information. We investigated whether individuals show negative emotions and attentional bias toward pain-related residual marks from cupping therapy on the body using an eye-tracking method. Methods Fifty pain-free volunteers were presented with four different kinds of visual stimulation, such as the back or face region and with or without cupping marks on the skin. A cupping and a control image were presented on one screen with one image on the left side of the screen and the other on the right (locations of the images were counterbalanced across participants). The eye movements of the participants were measured while they viewed the pictures. They completed the Empathy Quotient questionnaire before the experiment and evaluated the unpleasantness level to each image during the task. Results Images of the back and face with cupping marks were rated significantly more unpleasant and showed a significant attentional bias (significantly longer percentage fixation time) than the control images (attentional bias score: Back + cupping: 48.1 ± 2.8%; Back: -0.7 ± 3.4%; Face + cupping: 34.5 ± 2.5%; Face: -2.2 ± 2.9%). Individuals with greater empathy exhibited significantly higher unpleasantness (r = 0.323, p < 0.05) and less attentional bias (r = -0.279, p < 0.05) to the images with cupping marks. Conclusion The skin reactions caused by cupping therapy evoked negative emotional responses as well as attentional bias to the reaction sites. Our findings suggest that the emotional and attentional responses to cupping therapy might reflect potential reluctance to this therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyoung Hong
- Acupuncture & Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Seon Lee
- Acupuncture & Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dha-Hyun Choi
- Acupuncture & Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Younbyoung Chae
- Acupuncture & Meridian Science Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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13
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Pinel L, Perez-Nieto MA, Redondo M, Rodríguez-Rodríguez L, Mateos LL. The Impact of Cognitive Anxiety and the Rating of Pain on Care Processes in a Vigilance Task: The Important Part Played by Age. Pain Res Manag 2020; 2020:3204720. [PMID: 32399125 PMCID: PMC7201847 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3204720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a serious public health problem that has grown exponentially in recent years, which is why it has received the attention of numerous researchers. Most of the studies in the field of chronic pain have focused on care as a mediating variable on the perception of painful stimuli and emotions. Nevertheless, there are very few studies that have gone in the opposite direction. This study's aim is therefore to analyse the impact of emotional variables (anxiety and depression), the rating of pain, and age on vigilance processes in a sample of patients with chronic pain. To do so, the attentional performance of a cohort of 52 patients with chronic pain was measured through the use of a modified dot-probe task. Furthermore, all the participants were evaluated using the following self-report measures: Beck's Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale-20 (PASS-20). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between the pain rating index and the number of mistakes the participants made during the attention test. There was also a positive and significant correlation with age and another negative and significant correlation with cognitive anxiety regarding the overall performance times during the undertaking of the experimental task. These results point to the importance of a more in-depth understanding of the impact that the emotional variables and other variables such as age have on attentional processes and the rating of pain. Finally, the discussion focuses on the implications these results could have for clinical practice or for future research studies in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Pinel
- Faculty of Education and Health, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Marta Redondo
- Faculty of Education and Health, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Leticia L. Mateos
- Faculty of Education and Health, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain
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14
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Chan FHF, Suen H, Hsiao JH, Chan AB, Barry TJ. Interpretation biases and visual attention in the processing of ambiguous information in chronic pain. Eur J Pain 2020; 24:1242-1256. [PMID: 32223046 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theories propose that interpretation biases and attentional biases might account for the maintenance of chronic pain symptoms, but the interactions between these two forms of biases in the context of chronic pain are understudied. METHODS To fill this gap, 63 participants (40 females) with and without chronic pain completed an interpretation bias task that measures participants' interpretation styles in ambiguous scenarios and a novel eye-tracking task where participants freely viewed neutral faces that were given ambiguous pain/health-related labels (i.e. 'doctor', 'patient' and 'healthy people'). Eye movements were analysed with the Hidden Markov Models (EMHMM) approach, a machine-learning data-driven method that clusters people's eye movements into different strategy subgroups. RESULTS Adults with chronic pain endorsed more negative interpretations for scenarios related to immediate bodily injury and long-term illness than healthy controls, but they did not differ significantly in terms of their eye movements on ambiguous faces. Across groups, people who interpreted illness-related scenarios in a more negative way also focused more on the nose region and less on the eye region when looking at patients' and healthy people's faces and, to a lesser extent, doctors' faces. This association between interpretive and attentional processing was particularly apparent in participants with chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS In summary, the present study provided evidence for the interplay between multiple forms of cognitive biases. Future studies should investigate whether this interaction might influence subsequent functioning in people with chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hin Suen
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Janet H Hsiao
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Antoni B Chan
- Department of Computer Science, The City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Tom J Barry
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
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15
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Yang Z, Bateer. Identifying pain perceptual biases related to fear of pain and threat in a pain-free sample. Eur J Pain 2020; 24:1084-1093. [PMID: 32133705 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between fear of pain (FOP) and pain intensity has remained unclear. This study aimed to examine whether highly pain-fearful participants showed pain perceptual biases to general painful stimulus or to specific threatening painful stimulus. METHODS Fifty-nine undergraduates were recruited into low (n = 30) and high (n = 29) FOP groups and completed a threatening pain perception task with two tasks. Task 1 assessed pain perceptual biases by calculating the percentage of near-threshold pain stimulus judged as painful and assessing the average pain intensity ratings to those painful stimuli. Task 2 assessed pain perceptual biases by measuring pain ratings to each single threshold (low intensity) and twice-threshold (high intensity) pain stimulus. RESULTS Results from task 1 indicated that higher FOP levels were associated with higher pain sensitivity when pain was appraised as a threat, reflected as high FOP group reporting higher pain intensity to those stimuli judged as painful in high threat condition than in low threat condition. Consistently, results from task 2 observed that when noxious stimulus intensity increased to threshold pain and twice threshold pain levels, high FOP group also generally reported higher pain intensity in high threat condition than in low threat condition. However, for both tasks, no such threat level differences were observed in low FOP group. CONCLUSIONS The current research emphasized that participants with higher FOP level showed pain perceptual biases to specific threatening painful stimulus. Threat appraisal of pain played a key role in the positive association between pain-related fear and pain perceptual biases. SIGNIFICANCE The findings highlight the modulatory influence of threat appraisal of pain in the positive association between pain-related fear and pain perceptual biases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bateer
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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16
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Zheng P, Lyu Z, Jackson T. Effects of trait fear of pain on event‐related potentials during word cue presentations that signal potential pain. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 50:3365-3379. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality China Education Ministry Southwest University Chongqing China
| | - Zhenyong Lyu
- School of Education Science Xinyang Normal University Xinyang China
| | - Todd Jackson
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality China Education Ministry Southwest University Chongqing China
- Department of Psychology University of Macau Macau, S.A.R. China
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17
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Mazidi M, Dehghani M, Sharpe L, Dolatshahi B, Ranjbar S, Khatibi A. Time course of attentional bias to painful facial expressions and the moderating role of attentional control: an eye-tracking study. Br J Pain 2019; 15:5-15. [PMID: 33633849 DOI: 10.1177/2049463719866877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study investigated the time course of attention to pain and examined the moderating effect of attentional control in the relationship between pain catastrophizing and attentional bias in chronic pain patients. Methods A total of 28 patients with chronic pain and 29 pain-free individuals observed pictures of pain, happy and neutral facial expressions while their gaze behaviour was recorded. Pain intensity and duration, anxiety, depression, stress, attentional control and pain catastrophizing were assessed by questionnaires. Results In all subjects, the pattern of attention for pain faces was characterized by initial vigilance, followed by avoidance. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of orientation towards the stimuli, the duration of first fixation, the average duration of fixation or number of fixations on the pain stimuli. Attentional control moderated the relationship between catastrophizing and overall dwell time for happy faces in pain patients, indicating that those with high attentional control and high catastrophizing focused more on happy faces, whereas the reverse was true for those with low attentional control. Conclusion This study supported the vigilance-avoidance pattern of attention to painful facial expressions and a moderation effect of attentional control in the association between pain catastrophizing and attentional bias to happy faces among pain patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Mazidi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Centre for the Advancement of Research on Emotion, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Mohsen Dehghani
- Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Louise Sharpe
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Behrooz Dolatshahi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyran Ranjbar
- Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Khatibi
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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18
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Pain-related gaze biases and later functioning among adults with chronic pain: a longitudinal eye-tracking study. Pain 2019; 160:2221-2228. [DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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19
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Ling Y, Yang Z, Jackson T. Visual attention to pain cues for impending touch versus impending pain: An eye tracking study. Eur J Pain 2019; 23:1527-1537. [DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ling
- Key Laboratory of Cognition & Personality Southwest University Chongqing China
| | - Zhou Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition & Personality Southwest University Chongqing China
| | - Todd Jackson
- Key Laboratory of Cognition & Personality Southwest University Chongqing China
- Department of Psychology University of Macau Macau China
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20
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Franklin ZC, Holmes PS, Fowler NE. Eye Gaze Markers Indicate Visual Attention to Threatening Images in Individuals with Chronic Back Pain. J Clin Med 2018; 8:jcm8010031. [PMID: 30602663 PMCID: PMC6352204 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Research into attentional biases and threatening, pain-related information has primarily been investigated using reaction time as the dependent variable. This study aimed to extend previous research to provide a more in depth investigation of chronic back pain and individuals’ attention to emotional stimuli by recording eye movement behavior. Individuals with chronic back pain (n = 18) were recruited from a back rehabilitation program and age and sex matched against 17 non-symptomatic controls. Participants’ eye movements were recorded whilst they completed a dot probe task, which included back pain specific threatening images and neutral images. There were no significant differences between chronic pain and control participants in attentional biases recorded using reaction time from the dot probe task. Chronic pain participants, however, demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of fixations, larger pupil diameter, a longer average fixation duration and faster first fixation to threatening compared to neutral images. They also had a significantly longer average fixation duration and larger pupil diameter to threatening images compared to control participants. The findings of this study suggest eye gaze metrics may provide a more sensitive measure of attentional biases in chronic pain populations. These findings may have important therapeutic implications for the patient and therapist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë C Franklin
- Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine Research Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BH, UK.
| | - Paul S Holmes
- Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine Research Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BH, UK.
| | - Neil E Fowler
- Vice Chancellor's Office, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK.
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21
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Todd J, van Ryckeghem DM, Sharpe L, Crombez G. Attentional bias to pain-related information: a meta-analysis of dot-probe studies. Health Psychol Rev 2018; 12:419-436. [DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2018.1521729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jemma Todd
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dimitri M.L. van Ryckeghem
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Research Unit INSIDE, Institute for Health and Behaviour; Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education, Luxembourg University, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Louise Sharpe
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Geert Crombez
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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22
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Jackson T, Su L, Wang Y. Effects of Higher Versus Lower Threat Contexts on Pain-Related Visual Attention Biases: An Eye-Tracking Study of Chronic Pain. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2018; 19:649-659. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 12/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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23
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Zheng P, Lyu Z, Jackson T. Fear of pain and event-related potentials during exposure to image-cued somatosensory stimulation. Brain Res 2018; 1695:91-101. [PMID: 29852137 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Numerous behavior studies have assessed links of pain-related fear with biases in attention towards pain stimuli but considerably less is known about neural processes underlying such biases. To address this gap, event-related potentials (ERPs) were examined as 39 high pain-fearful (Hi-FOP) and 36 low pain-fearful (Lo-FOP) adults (1) viewed non-painful versus painful images and (2) subsequently received non-painful versus possibly painful somatosensory stimulation, respectively. The Hi-FOP group judged both non-painful and painful somatosensory stimulation to be more intense than Lo-FOP group members did. Hi-FOP group members also displayed smaller N1 amplitudes than Lo-FOP group members did during image presentations, regardless of image type. Finally, Lo-FOP group members exhibited larger P3 amplitudes when processing potentially painful somatosensory stimulation compared to non-painful stimulation while no such difference was observed in Hi-FOP group members. Overall results suggested that the pain-fearful tended to exaggerate the subjective intensity of potentially painful somatosensory stimuli but allocated comparatively fewer cognitive resources to processing such stimulation; arguably, this pattern perpetuates high fear of pain levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, China Education Ministry, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zhenyong Lyu
- School of Education Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Todd Jackson
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, China Education Ministry, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Macau, S.A.R 999078, China.
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24
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Dehghani M, Mohammadi S, Sharpe L, Khatibi A. Attentional Bias to Threat-Related Information Among Individuals With Dental Complaints: The Role of Pain Expectancy. Front Psychol 2018; 9:786. [PMID: 29875723 PMCID: PMC5974166 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Expecting pain can be perceived as a threat may involve recruitment of cognitive strategies (such as attentional avoidance) which might help the person to reduce distress. The ecological validity of the paradigms aiming to study the attentional biases toward or away from threatening stimuli by manipulating the perception of threat in experimental settings has been questioned. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the attentional bias toward or away from the threat when a confrontation with a real threatening and painful condition would be expected (i.e., dental treatment). One hundred and twenty-seven patients referred to three dentistry clinics for a dental treatment (experiment participants) and 30 individuals with no dental complaints (control participants) completed this study. Patients were randomly allocated to a high pain expectancy (HPE: n = 65) or a low pain expectancy (LPE: n = 62) expectancy condition. All participants completed questionnaires of distress, fear of pain, and fear of dental pain. Furthermore, they participated in a dot-probe task that assessed their attention to painful faces, dental pictures, and happy faces. In addition, before the treatment, participants reported their anticipated pain intensity and after the treatment, they reported the pain intensity that they perceived during the treatment using two separate visual analog scales. Patients in the HPE group showed a bias away from dental pictures compared to LPE and control group participants. HPE group patients also reported greater pain intensity during the treatment compared to LPE patients. Greater attentional bias away from dental pictures among HPE patients was associated with higher levels of fear of pain, fear of dental pain, and stress. Avoidance of highly salient threatening images can be seen as an unhelpful emotion-regulation strategy that individuals use to manage their fears. However, in this study, avoidance was associated with poorer outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Dehghani
- Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayyeh Mohammadi
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Louise Sharpe
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ali Khatibi
- Psychology Department, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey.,Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Sabuncu Brain Research Center, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey.,National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM), Sabuncu Brain Research Center, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
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25
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Alexeeva I, Martin M. Evidence for mood-dependent attentional processing in asthma: attentional bias towards health-threat in depressive mood and attentional avoidance in neutral mood. J Behav Med 2018; 41:550-567. [PMID: 29626313 PMCID: PMC6061078 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-018-9919-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Attentional biases have been observed in populations with psychological disorders, but have been under-investigated in populations with physical illnesses. This study investigated potential attentional biases in asthma as a function of mood. Asthma (N = 45), and healthy (N = 39) participants were randomly allocated to a depressed or a neutral mood state induction. They completed a visual probe task that measured participants’ reaction times to health-threat and neutral pictures and words. Compared to the healthy controls, the asthma group showed attentional bias towards health-threat pictures in depressed mood, and avoidance of health-threat pictures in neutral mood. Attentional biases were found in a group with a physical illness as a function of induced mood. It is suggested that attentional processes in people with physical illness may be important in relation to symptom perception and illness management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iana Alexeeva
- Medical Sciences Division, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Anna Watts Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG UK
| | - Maryanne Martin
- Medical Sciences Division, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Anna Watts Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG UK
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26
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Jackson T, Su L, Wang Y. Effects of higher versus lower threat contexts on pain-related attention biases: An eye-tracking study. Eur J Pain 2018; 22:1113-1123. [DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Jackson
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality; Southwest University; Chongqing China
- Department of Psychology; University of Macau; China
| | - L. Su
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality; Southwest University; Chongqing China
| | - Y. Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality; Southwest University; Chongqing China
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27
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Schmidt K, Gamer M, Forkmann K, Bingel U. Pain Affects Visual Orientation: an Eye-Tracking Study. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2018; 19:135-145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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28
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Sex difference in awareness of threat: A meta-analysis of sex differences in attentional orienting in the dot probe task. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2017.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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29
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Mahmoodi-Aghdam M, Dehghani M, Ahmadi M, Khorrami Banaraki A, Khatibi A. Chronic Pain and Selective Attention to Pain Arousing Daily Activity Pictures: Evidence From an Eye Tracking Study. Basic Clin Neurosci 2017; 8:467-478. [PMID: 29942430 PMCID: PMC6010654 DOI: 10.29252/nirp.bcn.8.6.467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction According to the pain research literature, attentional bias for pain is the mechanism responsible for the development and maintenance of fear of pain in patients with chronic pain. However, there is still some debate about the exact mechanism and the role of faster engagement versus difficulty in disengagement in the development of attentional bias. Methods To investigate attentional bias in patients with chronic pain, we used an eye-tracker with the pictures of pain-provoking activities and compared the results with an age- and gender-matched group of pain-free participants. In addition, other measures of pain-related cognition and pain severity ratings were included to assess their contribution to the attentional bias toward pain-related information. Results Calculating the frequency of the first fixations showed that both groups fixated initially on pain-provoking pictures compared to neutral one. Calculating the speed of fixations showed that control participants were faster in fixating on neutral stimuli, but patients with pain were faster in fixating on pain-provoking pictures, indicating a relative vigilance for the pain-related stimuli among them. These patients reported that the intensity of pain in the previous week was positively correlated with the speed of their fixation on the painful stimuli. Conclusion Although these results did not provide unequivocal support for the vigilance-avoidance hypothesis, they are generally consistent with the results of studies using eye tracking technology. Furthermore, our findings put a question over characterization of attentional biases in patients with chronic pain by simply relating that to difficulty in disengaging from pain-related stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Mahmoodi-Aghdam
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Dehghani
- Family Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrnoosh Ahmadi
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran.,Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Psychiatry Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ali Khatibi
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Economics, Administrative, and Social Sciences, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey.,Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey.,National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM), Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
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30
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The reliability of eyetracking to assess attentional bias to threatening words in healthy individuals. Behav Res Methods 2017; 50:1778-1792. [DOI: 10.3758/s13428-017-0946-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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31
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Brookes M, Sharpe L, Dear B. Rumination induces a pattern of attention characterized by increased vigilance followed by avoidance of affective pain words. Eur J Pain 2017; 21:1197-1208. [DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M.L. Brookes
- School of Psychology A18 The University of Sydney NSW Australia
| | - L. Sharpe
- School of Psychology A18 The University of Sydney NSW Australia
| | - B.F. Dear
- Department of Psychology eCentreClinic, Macquarie University Sydney NSW Australia
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32
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Reutter M, Hewig J, Wieser MJ, Osinsky R. The N2pc component reliably captures attentional bias in social anxiety. Psychophysiology 2017; 54:519-527. [DOI: 10.1111/psyp.12809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Reutter
- Department of Psychology I; Julius-Maximilians-University; Würzburg Germany
| | - Johannes Hewig
- Department of Psychology I; Julius-Maximilians-University; Würzburg Germany
| | - Matthias J. Wieser
- Department of Psychology I; Julius-Maximilians-University; Würzburg Germany
- Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam; Rotterdam Netherlands
| | - Roman Osinsky
- Department of Psychology I; Julius-Maximilians-University; Würzburg Germany
- Department of Psychology; University of Osnabrück; Osnabrück Germany
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33
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Sharpe L, Brookes M, Jones E, Gittins C, Wufong E, Nicholas M. Threat and fear of pain induces attentional bias to pain words: An eye‐tracking study. Eur J Pain 2016; 21:385-396. [DOI: 10.1002/ejp.936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Sharpe
- School of Psychology The University of Sydney NSW Australia
| | - M. Brookes
- School of Psychology The University of Sydney NSW Australia
| | - E. Jones
- School of Psychology The University of Sydney NSW Australia
| | - C. Gittins
- School of Psychology The University of Sydney NSW Australia
| | - E. Wufong
- University of Western Sydney NSW Australia
| | - M.K. Nicholas
- Pain Management Research Unit University of Sydney NSW Australia
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34
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Attentional bias modification and pain: The role of sensory and affective stimuli. Behav Res Ther 2016; 83:53-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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35
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Yang Z, Jackson T, Huang C. Neural Activation during Anticipation of Near Pain-Threshold Stimulation among the Pain-Fearful. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:342. [PMID: 27489536 PMCID: PMC4951481 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear of pain (FOP) can increase risk for chronic pain and disability but little is known about corresponding neural responses in anticipation of potential pain. In this study, more (10 women, 6 men) and less (7 women, 6 men) pain-fearful groups underwent whole-brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during anticipation of near pain-threshold stimulation. Groups did not differ in the proportion of stimuli judged to be painful but pain-fearful participants reported significantly more state fear prior to stimulus exposure. Within the entire sample, stronger activation was found in several pain perception regions (e.g., bilateral insula, midcingulate cortex (MCC), thalamus, superior frontal gyrus) and visual areas linked to decoding stimulus valences (inferior orbital cortex) during anticipation of "painful" stimuli. Between groups and correlation analyses indicated pain-fearful participants experienced comparatively more activity in regions implicated in evaluating potential threats and processing negative emotions during anticipation (i.e., MCC, mid occipital cortex, superior temporal pole), though group differences were not apparent in most so-called "pain matrix" regions. In sum, trait- and task-based FOP is associated with enhanced responsiveness in regions involved in threat processing and negative affect during anticipation of potentially painful stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, China Education Ministry, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest UniversityChongqing, China; Department of Chemistry, Southwest UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Todd Jackson
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, China Education Ministry, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest UniversityChongqing, China; Department of Psychology, University of MacauMacau, China
| | - Chengzhi Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Southwest University Chongqing, China
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Todd J, Sharpe L, Colagiuri B, Khatibi A. The effect of threat on cognitive biases and pain outcomes: An eye‐tracking study. Eur J Pain 2016; 20:1357-68. [DOI: 10.1002/ejp.887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Todd
- School of Psychology University of Sydney NSW Australia
| | - L. Sharpe
- School of Psychology University of Sydney NSW Australia
| | - B. Colagiuri
- School of Psychology University of Sydney NSW Australia
| | - A. Khatibi
- Department of Psychology Bilkent University Ankara Turkey
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37
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Towards a new model of attentional biases in the development, maintenance, and management of pain. Pain 2015; 156:1589-1600. [DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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38
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Exploring Attentional Bias for Real-World, Pain-related Information in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Using a Novel Change Detection Paradigm. Clin J Pain 2015; 31:680-8. [DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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39
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Priebe J, Messingschlager M, Lautenbacher S. Gaze behaviour when monitoring pain faces: An eye-tracking study. Eur J Pain 2014; 19:817-25. [DOI: 10.1002/ejp.608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J.A. Priebe
- Department of Physiological Psychology; University of Bamberg; Germany
| | | | - S. Lautenbacher
- Department of Physiological Psychology; University of Bamberg; Germany
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40
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Schoth D, Godwin H, Liversedge S, Liossi C. Eye movements during visual search for emotional faces in individuals with chronic headache. Eur J Pain 2014; 19:722-32. [DOI: 10.1002/ejp.595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D.E. Schoth
- Academic Unit of Psychology; University of Southampton; UK
| | - H.J. Godwin
- Academic Unit of Psychology; University of Southampton; UK
| | | | - C. Liossi
- Academic Unit of Psychology; University of Southampton; UK
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41
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Fashler SR, Katz J. More than meets the eye: visual attention biases in individuals reporting chronic pain. J Pain Res 2014; 7:557-70. [PMID: 25285022 PMCID: PMC4181742 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s67431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study used eye-tracking technology to assess whether individuals who report chronic pain direct more attention to sensory pain-related words than do pain-free individuals. A total of 113 participants (51 with chronic pain, 62 pain-free) were recruited. Participants completed a dot-probe task, viewing neutral and sensory pain-related words while their reaction time and eye movements were recorded. Eye-tracking data were analyzed by mixed-design analysis of variance with group (chronic pain versus pain-free) as the between-subjects factor, and word type (sensory pain versus neutral) as the within-subjects factor. Results showed a significant main effect for word type: all participants attended to pain-related words more than neutral words on several eye-tracking parameters. The group main effect was significant for number of fixations, which was greater in the chronic pain group. Finally, the group by word type interaction effect was significant for average visit duration, number of fixations, and total late-phase duration, all greater for sensory pain versus neutral words in the chronic pain group. As well, participants with chronic pain fixated significantly more frequently on pain words than did pain-free participants. In contrast, none of the effects for reaction time were significant. The results support the hypothesis that individuals with chronic pain display specific attentional biases toward pain-related stimuli and demonstrate the value of eye-tracking technology in measuring differences in visual attention variables.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joel Katz
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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42
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Liu J, Chen H, Gao X, Meng R, Jackson T. Attention and recognition biases associated with stature dissatisfaction among young men in China. Body Image 2014; 11:562-9. [PMID: 25241032 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Revised: 08/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This research evaluated information-processing biases related to height dissatisfaction among young Chinese men. In Study 1, 32 highly stature dissatisfied (HSD) men and 36 less stature dissatisfied (LSD) men performed a dot probe task featuring height-related words and neutral words. HSD men were significantly slower than LSD men were in responding to probes that followed short stature words, but the groups did not differ in response speeds to probes that followed tall stature or neutral words. In Study 2, 33 HSD men and 34 LSD men completed an implicit learning task followed by a word recognition task. HSD men recognized significantly more short stature words from the initial task, but recognition accuracy for other word types did not differ between groups. Together, these findings suggest that HSD men are more inclined than LSD men to selectively avoid cues that reflect shortness in stature and to selectively recognize such cues later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Chen
- School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Xiao Gao
- School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Rui Meng
- Zhengzhou Yutong Bus Co., Ltd., China
| | - Todd Jackson
- School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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43
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Sharpe L. Attentional biases in pain: More complex than originally thought? Pain 2014; 155:439-440. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2013.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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