2 BRIEF INTERVENTIONS FOR ACUTE PAIN

This study evaluated two brief (3-5 min) interventions for controlling responses to acute pain. Eighty male subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 intervention groups (Positive Emotion Induction (PEI) or Bri ef Relaxation (BR)) or to 1 of 2 control groups (No-instruction or Soc ial Demand). The PEI focused on re-creating a pleasant memory, while t he BR procedure involved decreasing respiration rate and positioning t he body in a relaxed posture. All subjects underwent a 60-sec finger p ressure pain trial. Analyses indicated that the PE] subjects reported lower ratings of pain, fear, and anxiety, and experienced greater fing er temperature recovery than controls. The BR procedure resulted in gr eater blood pressure recovery, but did not alter ratings of pain or em otion relative to controls. Further research is needed to explore the clinical use of the PEI for acute pain management.