The effect of uncertainty on pain decisions for self and others

Loued-Khenissi, Leyla; Martin‐Brevet, Sandra; Schumacher, Luis; Corradi‐Dell’Acqua, Corrado

doi:10.1002/ejp.1940

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Laser beam was directed to a rectangular skin area (approximately 4 × 2 cm, main axis mediolateral) on the back of the non-dominant hand. To avoid receptor sensitization, as well as damages from long-term exposure, the laser beam was relocated after each trial within a predefined stimulated skin area (see also 40 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive exertion affects the appraisal of one’s own and other people’s pain

Riontino

Fournier

Lapteva

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Correctly evaluating others’ pain is a crucial prosocial ability. In both clinical and private settings, caregivers assess their other people’s pain, sometimes under the effect of poor sleep and high workload and fatigue. However, the effect played by such cognitive strain in the appraisal of others’ pain remains unclear. Fifty participants underwent one of two demanding tasks, involving either working memory (Experiment 1: N-Back task) or cognitive interference (Experiment 2: Stroop task). After each task, participants were exposed to painful laser stimulations at three intensity levels (low, medium, high), or video-clips of patients experiencing three intensity levels of pain (low, medium, high). Participants rated the intensity of each pain event on a visual analogue scale. We found that the two tasks influenced rating of both one’s own and others’ pain, by decreasing the sensitivity to medium and high events. This was observed either when comparing the demanding condition to a control (Stroop), or when modelling linearly the difficulty/performance of each depleting task (N-Back). We provide converging evidence that cognitive exertion affects the subsequent appraisal of one’s own and likewise others’ pain.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive exertion affects the appraisal of one’s own and other people’s pain

Riontino

Fournier

Lapteva

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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show abstract

“…During action and perception tasks, subjects behave in order to minimise threats and the negative consequences of uncertainty [9]. Uncertainty about a variable means that we do not know its true state or magnitude, as the variable can express one of several possible values [10] and it biases our decision making [11]. When a person feels uncertainty and threat, they enter into a hypervigilant state to decrease uncertainty (about strategy selection) as fast as possible [12].…”

Section: Dynamics Of Perception Action and Stress Responsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensorimotor Uncertainty of Immersive Virtual Reality Environments for People in Pain: Scoping Review

Flores-Cortes,

Guerra-Armas,

Pineda-Galan

et al. 2023

Brain Sciences

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Introduction: Decision making and action execution both rely on sensory information, and their primary objective is to minimise uncertainty. Virtual reality (VR) introduces uncertainty due to the imprecision of perceptual information. The concept of “sensorimotor uncertainty” is a pivotal element in the interplay between perception and action within the VR environment. The role of immersive VR in the four stages of motor behaviour decision making in people with pain has been previously discussed. These four processing levels are the basis to understand the uncertainty that a patient experiences when using VR: sensory information, current state, transition rules, and the outcome obtained. Methods: This review examines the different types of uncertainty that a patient may experience when they are immersed in a virtual reality environment in a context of pain. Randomised clinical trials, a secondary analysis of randomised clinical trials, and pilot randomised clinical trials related to the scope of Sensorimotor Uncertainty in Immersive Virtual Reality were included after searching. Results: Fifty studies were included in this review. They were divided into four categories regarding the type of uncertainty the intervention created and the stage of the decision-making model. Conclusions: Immersive virtual reality makes it possible to alter sensorimotor uncertainty, but studies of higher methodological quality are needed on this topic, as well as an exploration into the patient profile for pain management using immersive VR.

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Section: Measures Nociceptive Stimulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive exertion affects the appraisal of one’s own and other people’s pain

Riontino

Fournier

Lapteva

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Evaluating correctly others' pain is a crucial prosocial ability, especially relevant for the healthcare system. In clinical settings, caregivers assess their patients' pain under high workload and fatigue, often while dealing with competing information/tasks. However, the effect played by such cognitive strain in the appraisal of others' pain remains unclear. Following embodied accounts that posit a shared representational code between self and others' states, it could be hypothesized that the representation of people's pain might be influenced by cognitive exertion similarly to first-hand experiences. Fifty participants underwent one of two demanding tasks, involving either working memory (Experiment 1: N-Back task) or cognitive interference (Experiment 2: Stroop task). After each task, participants were exposed to painful laser stimulations at three intensity levels (low, medium, high), or video-clips of patients experiencing three intensity levels of pain (low, medium, high). Participants rated the intensity of each pain event on a visual analogue scale. We found that the two tasks influenced rating of both one's own and others' pain, by decreasing the sensitivity to medium and high events. This was observed either when comparing the demanding condition to a control (Stroop), or when modelling linearly the difficulty/performance of each depleting task (N-Back). These effects were mirrored by the analysis of physiological responses (Heart Variability and Skin Conductance) evoked by one's own pain. We provide converging evidence that cognitive exertion affects the subsequent appraisal of one's own and likewise others' pain. Healthcare personnel should be aware that high workload might alter their cognitive abilities.

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The effect of uncertainty on pain decisions for self and others

Cited by 11 publications

References 65 publications

Cognitive exertion affects the appraisal of one’s own and other people’s pain

Cognitive exertion affects the appraisal of one’s own and other people’s pain

Sensorimotor Uncertainty of Immersive Virtual Reality Environments for People in Pain: Scoping Review

Cognitive exertion affects the appraisal of one’s own and other people’s pain

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