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Pain

Pain

Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...

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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers

Published on: November 9, 2019

Electronic gaming as pain distraction.

Eleanor Jameson¹, Judy Trevena, Nic Swain

¹Department of Psychological Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Pain Research & Management

|March 4, 2011

Summary

Active distraction using electronic games significantly reduces pain perception and increases tolerance compared to passive distraction or no distraction. This suggests electronic games are effective for pain management.

Area of Science:

Psychology
Pain Management
Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

Distraction is a known method for pain management.
The effectiveness of different types of distraction requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the efficacy of active distraction (electronic gaming) versus passive distraction (television) in reducing pain during a cold pressor task.
To assess the impact of distraction on pain tolerance, intensity, absorption, enjoyment, and anxiety.

Main Methods:

Two experiments were conducted using a cold pressor task (hand submersion in 2°C water).
Participants experienced conditions of no distraction, passive distraction, and active distraction in a randomized order.
Pain tolerance, pain intensity, task absorption, enjoyment, and anxiety were measured.

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Main Results:

Active distraction led to significantly higher pain tolerance and lower reported pain intensity compared to passive or no distraction.
Participants reported greater absorption, enjoyment, and willingness to repeat the task with active distraction.
No significant effect of verbal suggestion on pain perception was observed.

Conclusions:

Active distraction, particularly through electronic gaming, is a more effective method for pain control than passive distraction.
Electronic games show promise as a viable tool for managing acute pain.
Expectations regarding distraction's effect on pain did not influence the observed outcomes.