Anxiety and pain response changes across treatment: sensory decision analysis

Relationships between anxiety and pain perception were investigated by comparing pre- and post-pain reactions of highly anxious detoxified substance abusers categorized on the basis of anxiety level changes over treatment. Sensory decision theory methodology was applied to measure discriminative and decisional aspects of pain response. Men exhibiting significant pre-post-anxiety state decreases showed greater discriminability index increases and greater response bias index decreases at post-test, compared to their counterparts exhibiting minimal changes in severe anxiety levels across treatment. Findings have relevance for understanding pain perception and interventions in clinical samples.