The Computer‐Assisted Cognitive/Imagery System for Use in the Management of Pain

Findings indicate that further investigations of the program used in this study are warranted to determine its potential clinical utility and that of similar computerized interventions for pain.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in computer-delivered psychological interventions for a number of clinical conditions, including pain. OBJECTIVES: This study tests the effectiveness of a new computer-delivered pain-management program using a laboratory pain paradigm. METHODS: One hundred twenty undergraduate students were randomly assigned to either the computerized pain-management group or the distraction control group. Subjects underwent a cold-pressor task and were asked to continuously rate their subjective pain experience. RESULTS: Women receiving the computerized pain management intervention were able to tolerate the cold-pressor task longer than those in the control group. No effect was found for men. Subjective pain ratings were consistently lower during the cold-pressor task for subjects in the computerized pain-management group regardless of sex. Subjects receiving the computerized intervention reported feeling more comfortable and relaxed than control subjects during the cold-pressor task. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that further investigations of the program used in this study are warranted to determine its potential clinical utility and that of similar computerized interventions for pain.