The role of threat expectancy in attentional bias and thermal pain perception in healthy individuals

The influence of threat expectancy upon attentional biases for pain-related information and pain thresholds was explored in healthy participants. Participants were randomized to receive either threatening (n = 32) or nonthreatening (n = 31) information regarding an upcoming computerized task assessing cold and heat pain thresholds. Participants receiving threatening information were more worried about the pain task and, relative to those receiving nonthreatening information, showed attentional bias toward sensory-pain words. No between-group differences were found in terms of cold and heat pain thresholds. These results show that the type of information participants receive can influence their attentional processes and emotional concerns.