The effects of experimental pain and induced optimism on working memory task performance

Conclusions Experimentally induced pain impairs concurrent but not subsequent working memory task performance. Manipulated optimism did not counteract pain-induced deterioration of 2-back performance. Implications It is important to explore factors that may diminish the negative impact of pain on the ability to function in daily life, as pain itself often cannot be remediated. We are planning to conduct future studies that should shed further light on the conditions, contexts and executive operations for which optimism can act as a protective factor.
Source: Scandinavian Journal of Pain - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research