Differences in high and low anxiety sensitive women's responses to a laboratory-based cold pressor task

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Pain Research
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is associated with chronic health conditions, particularly pain-related disorders.
• Previous research indicates a link between high AS and increased sensory and affective pain responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To replicate and extend previous findings on the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and pain perception.
• To investigate the role of pain-related fear as a potential mediator.

Main Methods:

• 90 undergraduate women were categorized into high or low anxiety sensitivity groups based on a validated measure.
• Participants underwent a laboratory-based cold pressor task to assess pain responses.
• Self-report measures, including the McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form (SF-MPQ), were used to evaluate pain intensity and fear.

Main Results:

• High AS participants reported significantly greater fear in response to the cold pressor task.
• High AS participants also reported significantly higher pain intensity on the Present Pain Index (PPI) of the SF-MPQ.
• No significant differences were found between groups for pain threshold, pain tolerance, or pain recovery.

Conclusions:

• Pain-related fear appears to mediate the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and increased perceived pain intensity.
• These findings reinforce the importance of addressing fear in managing pain in individuals with high anxiety sensitivity.