Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026

Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery
Published on: April 14, 2016
Morning types are less sensitive to pain than evening types all day long
1Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Poland. konrad.jankowski@psych.uw.edu.pl
Background:
Diurnal variations in pain have been observed in experimental protocols, post-surgery states and pathological conditions. Chronotype is considered to have the most profound effect on diurnal variations, and in addition, previous studies suggest that evening types may be more vulnerable to pain than morning types. This study aimed to examine whether or not morning and evening chronotypes differ in terms of their daily levels and diurnal fluctuations of pain sensitivity.
Methods:
A total of 16 morning-healthy and 15 evening-healthy men were selected using the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire and underwent nine measurements during 1 day (between 08:15 and 20:15 h), each consisting of five heat stimuli situated at the ventral side of the wrist.
Results:
A marked difference between chronotypes was found, with morning types showing less sensitivity to pain than evening types all day long [M = 50.1; standard error (SE) = 1 and M = 47.2; SE = 1, respectively; pain thresholds in centigrade]. Diurnal variations in pain were not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
The results showed that chronotype could be an important factor determining sensitivity to pain, regardless of time of day.
More Related Videos
09:03Optimizing Photoneuromodulation Techniques to Evaluate the Role of Green Light-Emitting Diodes in Pain Management
Published on: March 28, 2025
07:23Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
Published on: July 29, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
Analgesia and Pain Management
Pain
Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers
Nociception
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners