Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery
Published on: April 14, 2016
The effects of interactive and passive distraction on cold pressor pain in preschool-aged children
Karen E Weiss1, Lynnda M Dahlquist, Karen Wohlheiter
1Department of Human Services Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, MD, USA. Weiss.Karen1@mayo.edu
Objective:
Using a mixed model design, this study examined the effects of interactive versus passive distraction on healthy preschool-aged children's cold pressor pain tolerance.
Methods:
Sixty-one children aged 3-5 years were randomly assigned to one of the following: interactive distraction, passive distraction, or no distraction control. Participants underwent a baseline cold pressor trial followed by interactive distraction trial, passive distraction trial, or second baseline trial. One or two additional trials followed. Children originally assigned to distraction received the alternate distraction intervention. Controls participated in both interactive and passive distraction trials in counterbalanced order.
Results:
Participants showed significantly higher pain tolerance during both interactive and passive distraction relative to baseline. The two distraction conditions did not differ.
Conclusions:
Interactive and passive video game distraction appear to be effective for preschool-aged children during laboratory pain exposure. Future studies should examine whether more extensive training would enhance effects of interactive video game distraction.
