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A meta-analysis on pain sensitivity in self-injury
J Koenig1, J F Thayer2, M Kaess1
1Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,Centre for Psychosocial Medicine,University of Heidelberg,Heidelberg,Germany.
Psychological Medicine
|March 12, 2016
Summary
Individuals engaging in self-injurious behavior (SIB) exhibit heightened pain thresholds and tolerance, reporting lower pain intensity. This altered pain sensitivity is influenced by factors like age and clinical diagnosis, particularly borderline personality disorder.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is often associated with altered pain perception.
- Previous research on pain sensitivity in SIB has yielded inconsistent results, especially concerning comorbid psychopathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize existing evidence on pain sensitivity in individuals with SIB.
- To identify factors (covariates) that may explain variations in pain processing within this population.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted, including 32 studies identified from database searches and reference checks.
- Included studies involved human participants engaging in SIB compared to healthy controls, with painful stimulation administered.
- Meta-regression analysis examined covariates such as age, sex, and clinical etiology on pain outcomes (threshold, tolerance, intensity).
Main Results:
- Individuals with SIB demonstrated significantly higher pain thresholds and tolerance, and reported lower pain intensity compared to controls.
- Effect sizes for these differences were medium to large.
- Clinical etiology and age were identified as significant moderators of pain sensitivity, with borderline personality disorder showing a further increased pain threshold.
Conclusions:
- Individuals engaging in SIB exhibit a distinct pattern of altered pain sensitivity, characterized by increased pain threshold and tolerance.
- Factors such as age and specific clinical conditions like borderline personality disorder play a crucial role in modulating pain processing in SIB.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of altered pain sensitivity in SIB.
