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Attention and somatic awareness in chronic pain
C Eccleston1, G Crombez, S Aldrich
1Pain Management Unit, University of Bath and The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, UK. c.eccleston@bath.ac.uk
Pain
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Chronic pain patients with high pain intensity and somatic awareness showed the most attention deficits. This suggests a link between heightened bodily sensation, pain, and cognitive function in chronic pain management.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Pain Management
Background:
- Chronic pain is often associated with altered sensory processing and attention.
- Somatic awareness, the perception of bodily sensations, may play a role in attention deficits in chronic pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between chronic pain intensity, somatic awareness, and attentional performance.
- To explore the role of negative affect in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Empirical study involving 46 chronic pain patients.
- Utilized a primary task paradigm to assess attentional performance during a demanding task.
- Classified patients based on self-reported pain intensity and somatic awareness.
Main Results:
- Attentional performance disruption was greatest in patients reporting high pain intensity and high somatic awareness.
- These patients also reported significantly higher levels of negative affect.
- Findings support the hypervigilance hypothesis in chronic pain.
Conclusions:
- High pain intensity and somatic awareness are linked to significant attention deficits in chronic pain.
- Negative affect may exacerbate these cognitive impairments.
- Findings have implications for understanding hypervigilance and developing interventions for chronic pain control.