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Published on: April 5, 2019
Personality and Its Influence on Pain Sensitivity Based on Different Hormonal Responses to Individual vs. Group
Aya Nakae1,2,3, Hani M Bu-Omer1,2,3, Chie Kishimoto1,2,3
1Presence Media Research Group, Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories, Deep Interaction Laboratory Group, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR), 2-2-2 Hikaridai, Seika-Cho, Soraku-Gun, Kyoto 619-0288, Japan.
Exercise-induced cortisol response links personality and pain sensitivity. Lower neuroticism and pain ratings were observed in individuals with higher cortisol secretion, suggesting psychophysiological mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Pain Perception Research
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Individual differences in pain sensitivity are linked to personality traits, but mechanisms are unclear.
- Exercise impacts hormonal secretion via the hypothalamic-pituitary system, potentially mediating personality-hormone-pain links.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between personality traits, exercise-induced hormonal responses (cortisol, growth hormone), and pain sensitivity.
- To explore potential psychophysiological pathways underlying pain expression.
Main Methods:
- 14 healthy participants (20-50 years) completed personality assessments (NEO-PI-R) and rated thermal pain stimuli.
- Participants underwent personal and group training sessions with blood sample collection for hormonal analysis.
- Participants were categorized into cortisol hypersecretors and hyposecretors based on their hormonal response to exercise.
Main Results:
- Cortisol hypersecretors demonstrated significantly lower neuroticism scores compared to hyposecretors.
- Hypersecretors also reported significantly lower pain ratings than hyposecretors.
- Findings suggest an association between cortisol responsiveness during exercise, neuroticism, and pain sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Cortisol responsiveness during exercise may be linked to personality traits like neuroticism and individual pain sensitivity.
- This study provides insights into the psychophysiological mechanisms connecting personality, hormonal patterns, and pain perception.
- Highlights potential for understanding individual differences in pain expression through reactive hormonal patterns.
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