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Indirect acquisition of pain-related fear: an experimental study of observational learning using coloured cold metal bars

Kim Helsen (UGent) , JWS Vlaeyen and Liesbet Goubert (UGent)
(2015) PLOS ONE. 10(3).
Author
Organization
Abstract
Background Previous research has demonstrated that pain-related fear can be acquired through observation of another's pain behaviour during an encounter with a painful stimulus. The results of two experimental studies were presented, each with a different pain stimulus, of which the aim was to investigate the effect of observational learning on pain expectancies, avoidance behaviour, and physiological responding. Additionally, the study investigated whether certain individuals are at heightened risk to develop pain-related fear through observation. Finally, changes in pain-related fear and pain intensity after exposure to the feared stimulus were examined. Methods During observational acquisition, healthy female participants watched a video showing coloured cold metal bars being placed against the neck of several models. In a differential fear conditioning paradigm, one colour was paired with painful facial expressions, and another colour was paired with neutral facial expressions of the video models. During exposure, both metal bars with equal temperatures (-25 degrees or + 8 degrees Celsius) were placed repeatedly against participants' own neck. Results Results showed that pain-related beliefs can be acquired by observing pain in others, but do not necessarily cause behavioural changes. Additionally, dispositional empathy might play a role in the acquisition of these beliefs. Furthermore, skin conductance responses were higher when exposed to the pain-associated bar, but only in one of two experiments. Differential pain-related beliefs rapidly disappeared after first-hand exposure to the stimuli. Conclusions This study enhances our understanding of pain-related fear acquisition and subsequent exposure to the feared stimulus, providing leads for pain prevention and management strategies.
Keywords
QUESTIONNAIRE-III, CATASTROPHIZING SCALE, AVOIDANCE MODEL, OTHERS, THREAT, EMPATHY, RELIABILITY, LOW-BACK-PAIN, SELECTIVE ATTENTIONAL BIAS, CHRONIC MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

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MLA
Helsen, Kim, et al. “Indirect Acquisition of Pain-Related Fear: An Experimental Study of Observational Learning Using Coloured Cold Metal Bars.” PLOS ONE, vol. 10, no. 3, 2015, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0117236.
APA
Helsen, K., Vlaeyen, J., & Goubert, L. (2015). Indirect acquisition of pain-related fear: an experimental study of observational learning using coloured cold metal bars. PLOS ONE, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0117236
Chicago author-date
Helsen, Kim, JWS Vlaeyen, and Liesbet Goubert. 2015. “Indirect Acquisition of Pain-Related Fear: An Experimental Study of Observational Learning Using Coloured Cold Metal Bars.” PLOS ONE 10 (3). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0117236.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Helsen, Kim, JWS Vlaeyen, and Liesbet Goubert. 2015. “Indirect Acquisition of Pain-Related Fear: An Experimental Study of Observational Learning Using Coloured Cold Metal Bars.” PLOS ONE 10 (3). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0117236.
Vancouver
1.
Helsen K, Vlaeyen J, Goubert L. Indirect acquisition of pain-related fear: an experimental study of observational learning using coloured cold metal bars. PLOS ONE. 2015;10(3).
IEEE
[1]
K. Helsen, J. Vlaeyen, and L. Goubert, “Indirect acquisition of pain-related fear: an experimental study of observational learning using coloured cold metal bars,” PLOS ONE, vol. 10, no. 3, 2015.
@article{5980119,
  abstract     = {{Background 

Previous research has demonstrated that pain-related fear can be acquired through observation of another's pain behaviour during an encounter with a painful stimulus. The results of two experimental studies were presented, each with a different pain stimulus, of which the aim was to investigate the effect of observational learning on pain expectancies, avoidance behaviour, and physiological responding. Additionally, the study investigated whether certain individuals are at heightened risk to develop pain-related fear through observation. Finally, changes in pain-related fear and pain intensity after exposure to the feared stimulus were examined.
 
Methods 

During observational acquisition, healthy female participants watched a video showing coloured cold metal bars being placed against the neck of several models. In a differential fear conditioning paradigm, one colour was paired with painful facial expressions, and another colour was paired with neutral facial expressions of the video models. During exposure, both metal bars with equal temperatures (-25 degrees or + 8 degrees Celsius) were placed repeatedly against participants' own neck.
 
Results 

Results showed that pain-related beliefs can be acquired by observing pain in others, but do not necessarily cause behavioural changes. Additionally, dispositional empathy might play a role in the acquisition of these beliefs. Furthermore, skin conductance responses were higher when exposed to the pain-associated bar, but only in one of two experiments. Differential pain-related beliefs rapidly disappeared after first-hand exposure to the stimuli.
 
Conclusions 

This study enhances our understanding of pain-related fear acquisition and subsequent exposure to the feared stimulus, providing leads for pain prevention and management strategies.}},
  articleno    = {{e0117236}},
  author       = {{Helsen, Kim and Vlaeyen, JWS and Goubert, Liesbet}},
  issn         = {{1932-6203}},
  journal      = {{PLOS ONE}},
  keywords     = {{QUESTIONNAIRE-III,CATASTROPHIZING SCALE,AVOIDANCE MODEL,OTHERS,THREAT,EMPATHY,RELIABILITY,LOW-BACK-PAIN,SELECTIVE ATTENTIONAL BIAS,CHRONIC MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{24}},
  title        = {{Indirect acquisition of pain-related fear: an experimental study of observational learning using coloured cold metal bars}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0117236}},
  volume       = {{10}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}

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