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Kapos FP, Craig KD, Anderson SR, Bernardes SF, Hirsh AT, Karos K, Keogh E, Reynolds Losin EA, McParland JL, Moore DJ, Ashton-James CE. Social Determinants and Consequences of Pain: Toward Multilevel, Intersectional, and Life Course Perspectives. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:104608. [PMID: 38897311 PMCID: PMC11402600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Despite wide endorsement of a biopsychosocial framework for pain, social aspects of pain remain rarely addressed in the context of pain prevention and management. In this review, we aim to 1) examine the broad scope of social determinants and consequences of pain and their interactions across multiple levels of organization, and 2) provide a framework synthesizing existing concepts and potential areas for future work on social aspects of pain, drawing upon socioecological, intersectional, and life course approaches. Integrating interdisciplinary theory and evidence, we outline pathways through which multilevel social factors and pain may affect each other over time. We also provide a brief summary of intrapersonal aspects of pain, which are thought to operate at the interface between individuals and the social context. Progressing from micro- to macrolevel factors, we illustrate how social determinants of pain can directly or indirectly contribute to pain experiences, expression, risk, prognosis, and impact across populations. We consider 1) at the interpersonal level, the roles of social comparison, social relatedness, social support, social exclusion, empathy, and interpersonal conflict; 2) at the group or community level, the roles of intimacy groups, task groups, social categories, and loose associations; and 3) at the societal level, the roles of political, economic, and cultural systems, as well as their policies and practices. We present examples of multilevel consequences of pain across these levels and discuss opportunities to reduce the burden and inequities of pain by expanding multilevel social approaches in pain research and practice. PERSPECTIVE: Despite wide endorsement of a biopsychosocial framework for pain, social aspects of pain are often unclearly defined, hindering their use in pain prevention, management, and research. We summarize the scope of social aspects of pain and provide a framework synthesizing existing concepts and potential areas for future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia P Kapos
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Schoool of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
| | - Kenneth D Craig
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Steven R Anderson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Sónia F Bernardes
- Centre for Social Research and Intervention, Iscte-Lisbon University Institute, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Adam T Hirsh
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Kai Karos
- Experimental Health Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Edmund Keogh
- Department of Psychology & Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | | | - Joanna L McParland
- Department of Psychology, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - David J Moore
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Claire E Ashton-James
- Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Abstract
Abstract. The COVID-19 pandemic with its substantial changes to social life affects social cognitions, which are important for solidarity during a global crisis. We investigated how distal defense strategies for dealing with threat, perceived threat, and contact experiences relate to people’s empathic reactions during lockdowns in two countries. In three studies ( N = 1,332), we found that more experienced threat is associated with higher personal distress. In Germany, but not in the United Kingdom, people who applied social defenses reported more empathic concern. Additionally, general positive contact experiences related positively to empathic concern and perspective taking. These other-directed empathic reactions correlated highly with solidarity with others across all studies. The findings indicate that people’s empathy changes with their social experiences during this global crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Hechler
- German Centre for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM), Nationaler Diskriminierungs- und Rassismusmonitor (NaDiRa) & Cluster Daten - Methoden - Monitoring, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Social Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
| | - Clarissa Wendel
- Department of Social Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
| | - Dana Schneider
- Department of Social Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
- DFG Network “Understanding Others”, Institute of Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
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3
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Bedwell GJ, Louw C, Parker R, van den Broeke E, Vlaeyen JW, Moseley GL, Madden VJ. The influence of a manipulation of threat on experimentally-induced secondary hyperalgesia. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13512. [PMID: 35757170 PMCID: PMC9220919 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13512] [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: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain is thought to be influenced by the threat value of the particular context in which it occurs. However, the mechanisms by which a threat achieves this influence on pain are unclear. Here, we explore how threat influences experimentally-induced secondary hyperalgesia, which is thought to be a manifestation of central sensitization. We developed an experimental study to investigate the effect of a manipulation of threat on experimentally-induced secondary hyperalgesia in 26 healthy human adults (16 identifying as female; 10 as male). We induced secondary hyperalgesia at both forearms using high-frequency electrical stimulation. Prior to the induction, we used a previously successful method to manipulate threat of tissue damage at one forearm (threat site). The effect of the threat manipulation was determined by comparing participant-rated anxiety, perceived threat, and pain during the experimental induction of secondary hyperalgesia, between the threat and control sites. We hypothesized that the threat site would show greater secondary hyperalgesia (primary outcome) and greater surface area (secondary outcome) of induced secondary hyperalgesia than the control site. Despite a thorough piloting procedure to test the threat manipulation, our data showed no main effect of site on pain, anxiety, or threat ratings during high-frequency electrical stimulation. In the light of no difference in threat between sites, the primary and secondary hypotheses cannot be tested. We discuss reasons why we were unable to replicate the efficacy of this established threat manipulation in our sample, including: (1) competition between threats, (2) generalization of learned threat value, (3) safety cues, (4) trust, and requirements for participant safety, (5) sampling bias, (6) sample-specific habituation to threat, and (7) implausibility of (sham) skin examination and report. Better strategies to manipulate threat are required for further research on the mechanisms by which threat influences pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian J. Bedwell
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa,Pain Unit, Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Caron Louw
- Pain Unit, Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Romy Parker
- Pain Unit, Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Emanuel van den Broeke
- Institute of Neuroscience, Division Cognitive and Systems, UC Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Johan W. Vlaeyen
- Research Group Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Experimental Health Psychology, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | | - Victoria J. Madden
- Pain Unit, Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa,Research Group Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,IIMPACT in Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
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4
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Zhang M, Zhang Y, Mu Y, Wei Z, Kong Y. Gender discrimination facilitates fMRI responses and connectivity to thermal pain. Neuroimage 2021; 244:118644. [PMID: 34637906 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gender discrimination is a serious social issue that has been shown to increase negative consequences, especially in females when accompanied by acute or chronic pain. Experiencing social pain through discrimination can increase an individual's evaluation of evoked physical pain. However, few studies have explored the mechanism underlying how gender discrimination modulates brain responses when individuals experience physical pain evoked by noxious stimuli. In this study, we addressed this issue using a gender discrimination fMRI paradigm with thermal pain stimulation. We found that discrimination indeed affected participants' own behavioral self-evaluation of noxious stimuli. Discrimination-encoded brain activations were identified in the temporopolar cortex, while brain activations to thermal stimuli after viewing pictures of discrimination were found in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). Brain activations in the temporopolar cortex and the dACC were correlated. Furthermore, pain perception-specific functional connectivity of the dACC-SII in the cue stage and the dACC-frontal in the pain stage were identified, suggesting a facilitative effect of gender discrimination on females' experience of physical pain. Our results indicate that the dACC may play a central role in mediating the affective aspect of physical pain after experiencing discrimination. These findings provide novel insights into the underlying mechanism of how gender discrimination facilitates females' experience of physical pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 Lincui Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuqi Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 Lincui Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan Mu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 Lincui Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhaoxing Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 Lincui Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yazhuo Kong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 Lincui Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.
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Käthner I, Eidel M, Häge AS, Gram A, Pauli P. Observing physicians acting with different levels of empathy modulates later assessed pain tolerance. Br J Health Psychol 2021; 27:434-448. [PMID: 34374180 DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The patient-physician relationship is essential for treatment success. Previous studies demonstrated that physicians who behave empathic in their interaction with patients have a positive effect on health outcomes. In this study, we investigated if the mere perception of physicians as empathic/not empathic modulates pain despite an emotionally neutral interaction with the patients. METHODS N = 60 women took part in an experimental study that simulated a clinical interaction. In the paradigm, each participant watched two immersive 360° videos via a head-mounted display from a patient's perspective. The physicians in the videos behaved either empathic or not empathic towards a third person. Importantly, these physicians remained emotionally neutral in the subsequent virtual interaction with the participants. Finally, participants received a controlled, painful pressure stimulus within the narratives of the videos. RESULTS The physicians in the high compared with the low empathy videos were rated as more empathic and more likable, indicating successful experimental manipulation. In spite of later neutral behaviour of physicians, this short observation of physicians' behaviour towards a third person was sufficient to modulate pain tolerance of the participants. CONCLUSIONS The finding of this study that the mere observation of physicians' behaviour towards a third person modulates pain, despite a neutral direct interaction with the participants, has important clinical implications. Further, the proposed paradigm enables investigating aspects of patient-physician communication that are difficult to examine in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo Käthner
- Department of Psychology I, Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Eidel
- Department of Psychology I, Psychological Intervention, Behaviour Analysis and Regulation of Behaviour, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anne-Sophie Häge
- Department of Psychology I, Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Annika Gram
- Department of Psychology I, Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Paul Pauli
- Department of Psychology I, Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Germany.,Center of Mental Health, Medical Faculty, University of Würzburg, Germany
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6
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Hillmer K, Kappesser J, Hermann C. Pain modulation by your partner: An experimental investigation from a social-affective perspective. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254069. [PMID: 34292961 PMCID: PMC8297879 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Social context such as the relationship between a person experiencing pain and a caregiver has been shown to affect the experience of pain, yet, results are not consistent. Possibly, differential effects of interpersonal relationships are modulated by affective states expressed by social partners. Viewing partner pictures in experimental designs is not only associated with lowered perceived pain intensity, but also affects neural responses. However, the role of affective modulation is not clear. The present study aimed to systematically examine the pain modulating effects of stimuli varying in affect and social content including personal relevance using subjective report and psychophysiological measures of facial and autonomic activity. Methods Twenty-nine women underwent a tonic heat pain paradigm with simultaneous picture viewing to investigate the influence of their partners’ faces with a neutral facial expression compared to strangers’ happy, angry and neutral facial expressions on pain intensity and accompanying psychophysiological parameters (facial activity: corrugator muscle activity, autonomic activity: skin conductance level, heart rate). In addition to perceived partner support and relationship characteristics, the contribution of the affective value (valence, arousal) of the partner faces to the observed pain modulation was examined. Results Partner and happy faces reduced self-reported pain intensity and corrugator activity, the latter being lowest when viewing partner faces as compared to all other picture categories. As corrugator activity is indexing stimulus unpleasantness and a core feature of the facial pain expression, this physiological pattern matches well with the subjective ratings. Neutral objects, neutral and angry faces had no effect on pain self-report, although angry faces were rated as highly negative. Partner faces also led to increased skin conductance, being an index of motivational activation, and heart rate deceleration, possibly reflecting increased sensory intake. Partner-related pain modulation was primarily related to perceived arousal of the partner’s picture, i.e., the intensity of the activation of approach motivation, and pain-related catastrophizing. Discussion Our results are partially consistent with emotional pain control models, especially regarding the modulatory influence of valence. Within the context of socially adaptive behavior, they particularly underline the social signal value of emotion and attachment figures. Clinically, our results imply that just looking at pictures of one’s partner when undergoing acute painful procedures can have a robust hypoalgesic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Hillmer
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Judith Kappesser
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christiane Hermann
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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7
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Pagé MG, Dassieu L, Develay E, Roy M, Vachon-Presseau E, Lupien S, Rainville PhD P. The Stressful Characteristics of Pain That Drive You NUTS: A Qualitative Exploration of a Stress Model to Understand the Chronic Pain Experience. PAIN MEDICINE 2021; 22:1095-1108. [PMID: 33319901 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaa370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite decades of research on the identification of specific characteristics of situations that trigger a physiological stress response (novelty, unpredictability, threat to the ego, and sense of low control [NUTS]), no integrative research has examined the validity of this framework applied to pain experiences. This study aimed to 1) explore the stressful characteristics of pain among individuals living with chronic pain and 2) examine whether the NUTS framework comprehensively captures the stressful nature of pain. SUBJECTS Participants were 41 adult participants living with chronic pain. METHODS Interviews in six focus groups were conducted in French using a semistructured interview guide. Participants first discussed how pain is stressful. Then, they were introduced to the NUTS framework and commented on the extent to which it captured their experience. The verbatim transcriptions of interviews were reviewed using reflexive thematic analysis. Analyses were conducted in French; quotes and themes were translated into English by a professional translator. RESULTS The pain-NUTS framework adequately captured participants' experiences. Multiple aspects of pain (pain intensity fluctuations, pain flare-up duration, pain quality and location, functional limitations, diagnosis and treatment) were associated with one or more stress-inducing characteristics. In addition, a second layer of meaning emerged in the context of chronic pain that provided contextual information regarding when, how, and why pain became more or less stressful. CONCLUSIONS The NUTS characteristics seem to offer a comprehensive framework to understand how pain and its context of chronicity can be a source of stress. This study provides preliminary support for the pain-NUTS framework to allow the formal integration of pain and stress research.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gabrielle Pagé
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lise Dassieu
- Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elise Develay
- Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Roy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Etienne Vachon-Presseau
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sonia Lupien
- Department of Psychiatry, Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Pierre Rainville PhD
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, CIUSSS Centre-sud-de l'île de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; ‡‡Department of Stomatology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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8
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Karos K, Meulders A, Leyssen T, Vlaeyen JW. Freeze-like responses to pain in humans and its modulation by social context. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10094. [PMID: 33240593 PMCID: PMC7680627 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10094] [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: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Maladaptive defensive responses such as excessive avoidance behavior have received increasing attention as a main mechanism for the development and maintenance of chronic pain complaints. However, another defensive response which is commonly studied in animals as a proxy for fear is freezing behavior. No research to date has investigated human freezing behavior in the context of pain. In addition, there is an increasing realization that social context can affect pain-relevant processes such as pain experience and pain behavior but less is known about the effects of social context on defensive responses to pain. Hence, this study investigated freezing behavior and facial pain expression in the context of pain, and their modulation by social context. Methods Healthy, pain-free participants (N = 39) stood on a stabilometric force platform in a threatening or safe social context, which was manipulated using angry or happy facial stimuli. In some trials, an auditory cue (conditioned stimulus; CS) predicted the occurrence of painful electrocutaneous stimulus (unconditioned stimulus; pain-US). We assessed body sway (an index of freezing), heart rate, facial pain expression, self-reported pain intensity, unpleasantness, and pain-US expectancy during the CS and the context alone (no CS). Results The results were mixed. Neither the anticipation of pain, nor social context affected body sway. Heart rate and painful facial expression were reduced in the threatening social context at high anxiety levels. A threatening social context also elicited higher pain-US expectancy ratings. In sum, a threatening social context increases the expectation of pain, but reduces the facial expression of pain and lowers heart rate in highly anxious individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Karos
- Centre for the Psychology of Learning and Experimental Psychopathology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Vlanders, Belgium.,Experimental Health Psychology, Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
| | - Ann Meulders
- Experimental Health Psychology, Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands.,Research Group on Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Vlanders, Belgium
| | - Tine Leyssen
- Research Group on Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Vlanders, Belgium
| | - Johan W Vlaeyen
- Experimental Health Psychology, Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands.,Research Group on Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Vlanders, Belgium
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9
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Henrique AJ, Rodney P, Joolaee S, Cox S, Shriver A, Moreira CB, Climaco J, Schirmer J. Understanding childbirth pain in Brazilian women: A qualitative descriptive study. Women Birth 2020; 34:e368-e375. [PMID: 32873527 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2020.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pain associated with childbirth is a cause of severe pain, and the literature suggests that it can be influenced by psychosocial influences, the environment, and cognitive processes, creating the overall experience of childbirth. Therefore, the investigation of women's childbirth pain experience is essential. AIM The purpose of this study is to understand women's childbirth pain and determine which influences can contribute to building different experiences. METHOD A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted to explore the women's childbirth pain experiences, by understanding the influences on their experiences. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 21 women in a hospital setting in São Paulo, Brazil, and analysed by thematic analysis. RESULTS Three major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) experiencing childbirth pain, (2) face-to-face with pain, and (3) empowerment needs. DISCUSSION Many factors influence how Brazilian women manage pain and shape their experience during childbirth. The findings suggest that when women had a positive experience, they asked for minimal support, demonstrated balance, and expressed that the pain was manageable; when they had unfavourable experiences, they regarded pain as a threat and a punishment and associated it with unpleasant emotions. CONCLUSION The results outlined concerns that should be addressed in the provision of specific, appropriate care for women, to support them in improving their experience during childbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelita J Henrique
- Paulista School of Nursing, Department of Women's Health, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; The W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Patricia Rodney
- The W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; School of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Soodabeh Joolaee
- The W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Nursing Care Research Center, School of Nursing, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Susan Cox
- The W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Adam Shriver
- The Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Oxford University, United Kingdom
| | - Camila B Moreira
- Paulista School of Nursing, Department of Women's Health, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; School of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Julia Climaco
- The W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Institute of Psychology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Janine Schirmer
- Paulista School of Nursing, Department of Women's Health, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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10
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D'Agostini M, Karos K, Kindermans HPJ, Vancleef LMG. Effects of (in)validation and plain versus technical language on the experience of experimentally induced pain: A computer controlled simulation paradigm. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2020; 67:101473. [PMID: 31023553 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Amongst social contextual influences on pain, the manner in which pain and painful procedures are communicated to patients is considered an important contributor to the subjective experience of pain. Threatening information, e.g., by the use of technical language, is suggested to increase pain reports. Validation, or communicating understanding towards another person reporting personal experiences, is suggested to reduce pain. The current study examines effects of both information language (technical vs. plain language) and validation (validation vs. invalidation) on the subjective experience of experimentally induced pain. METHODS Pain-free participants (N = 132) were randomly assigned to one of four groups as formed by manipulations of validation and information language. After reading a description concerning the upcoming thermal stimulus formulated in technical or plain language, participants engaged in a computer controlled simulation (CCS; based on virtual reality technology). Participants received three thermal stimuli while interacting with an avatar who either validated or invalidated their experience during the CCS. Pain intensity and pain unpleasantness were assessed after each stimulus. RESULTS The validation manipulation showed to be effective, but the information language manipulation did not induce differential threat expectancies. Results show no effect of validation or information language on subjective pain reports. LIMITATIONS Suboptimality of the information language manipulation and shortcomings of the CCS procedure might account for current findings. CONCLUSIONS The study offers an interesting model for the further experimental study of isolated and combined effects of (social) contextual factors on pain. Diverse future research avenues are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina D'Agostini
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Research Group of Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kai Karos
- Research Group of Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hanne P J Kindermans
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Linda M G Vancleef
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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11
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Pain perception during social interactions is modulated by self-related and moral contextual cues. Sci Rep 2020; 10:41. [PMID: 31913318 PMCID: PMC6949219 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56840-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the growing interest on the effect of the social context on pain, whether and how different facets of interpersonal interactions modulate pain are still unclear. We tested whether personal (i.e., convenient for the self), moral (i.e., equitability of the transaction) or social (i.e., positive vs. negative feedback from others) valence of an interpersonal interaction differentially affects pain and the perceived fairness. Thirty-two healthy participants played the role of Receivers in a Dictator Game, where a player, the Dictator, determined how to divide a payoff between her/himself and the other player, the Receiver. We manipulated the payoff (pain vs. money), the personal valence (favorable vs. unfavorable offer to participants), the moral valence of the offer (from very iniquitous to equitable), and social valence of the Dictator (social acceptance vs. rejection). Moral and personal valence differentially modulated pain. Lower pain was elicited by iniquity, but also by favorable offers. Moreover, unfavorable offers in the economic game were rated as more unfair, whereas only very iniquitous offers elicited such ratings in the pain game, suggesting that participants valued when Dictators endured extra pain for their benefit. Together, we show that the valence of a social interaction at different levels can independently modulate pain and fairness perception.
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Kappesser J. The facial expression of pain in humans considered from a social perspective. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20190284. [PMID: 31544612 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The social modulation of pain in humans has been neglected so far with respect to verbal as well as non-verbal communication of pain. The facial pain expression is a powerful way to communicate pain, and there are some theoretical accounts available on how social modulation may affect the encoding of the facial expression of pain. Some accounts, particularly in the pain field, are proximate explanations on the mechanisms involved, whereas an evolutionary psychology account takes a more comprehensive approach. A review of nine experimental studies revealed that in the majority of studies (6/9), social context had an effect on the facial pain expression, but results were inconsistent. Several conceptual and methodological issues are discussed which may explain these inconsistencies and could help in design of future experimental studies. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Evolution of mechanisms and behaviour important for pain'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Kappesser
- Department of Psychology, Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen, Giessen, Hessen, Germany
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Karos K, Meulders A, Goubert L, Vlaeyen JWS. Hide Your Pain: Social Threat Increases Pain Reports and Aggression, but Reduces Facial Pain Expression and Empathy. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2019; 21:334-346. [PMID: 31351966 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Earlier research studying the effects of social threat on the experience and expression of pain led to mixed results. In this study, female participants (N = 32) came to the lab with 2 confederates. Both confederates administered a total of 10 painful electrocutaneous stimuli to the participant. The framing of the administration was manipulated in a within-subjects design: In the low social threat condition the participant was told that the confederate could choose between 10 and 20 pain stimuli, thus they believed that this confederate chose to administer the minimum allowed number of pain stimuli. In the high social threat condition the confederate had a choice between 1 and 10 stimuli, thus they believed that this confederate chose to administer the maximum allowed number of stimuli. Participants reported on the intensity, unpleasantness, and threat value of the painful stimuli, and their facial expression was recorded. Moreover, aggression and empathy toward the confederates were assessed. As hypothesized, participants reported increased pain intensity, unpleasantness, and threat in the high social threat condition compared to the low social threat condition, but showed less facial pain expression. Finally, participants exhibited increased aggression and reduced empathy toward the confederate in the high social threat condition. PERSPECTIVE: Social threat reduces painful facial expression, but simultaneously increases pain reports, leading to a double burden of the person in pain. Additionally, social threat affected social relationships by increasing aggression and reducing empathy for the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Karos
- Center for the Psychology of Learning and Experimental Psychopathology, KU Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Ann Meulders
- Research Group on Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Belgium; Department of Clinical Psychological Sciences, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - Liesbet Goubert
- Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Johan W S Vlaeyen
- Research Group on Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Belgium; Department of Clinical Psychological Sciences, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
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Darnall BD, Colloca L. Optimizing Placebo and Minimizing Nocebo to Reduce Pain, Catastrophizing, and Opioid Use: A Review of the Science and an Evidence-Informed Clinical Toolkit. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2018; 139:129-157. [PMID: 30146045 PMCID: PMC6175287 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2018.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Pain, a noxious psychosensory experience, motivates escape behavior to assure protection and survival. Psychological factors alter the experience and trajectory of pain, as well as behavior and treatment response. In the context of pain, the placebo effect (expectation for pain relief) releases endogenous opioids and facilitates analgesia from exogenously administered opioids. Nocebo hyperalgesia (expectation for persistent or worsening pain) opposes endogenous opioid analgesia and patient engagement in prescription opioid tapering. Reductions in nocebo hyperalgesia and pain catastrophizing may enhance descending modulation of pain, mediate adaptive structural brain changes and promote patient engagement in opioid tapering. Interventions that minimize nocebo and optimize placebo may adaptively shape the central nervous system toward pain relief and potentially opioid reduction. Here we provide a critical description of catastrophizing and its impact on pain, placebo and nocebo effects. We also consider the importance of minimizing nocebo and optimizing placebo effects during prescription opioid tapering, and offer a clinical toolkit of resources to accomplish these goals clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth D Darnall
- School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Division of Pain Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (by courtesy), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States.
| | - Luana Colloca
- Department of Pain Translational Symptom Science, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States; Departments of Anesthesiology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States; Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
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