Pain can be a matter of the mind

Pain can also be a matter of the mind
To think ill: Many people think of pain, because pain can also be a matter of the head. The researchers of the Hamburg University Hospital found out from a study. The prerequisite for the "conceived pain" is, for example, the announcement of the physician that pain is to be expected.

Nocebo effect increases pain and reduces the recovery process
It has been known for some time that people can think of pain as well. Psychologists and physicians speak in this context of the "nocebo effect". This effect was first discovered after administration of placebo supplements. Some subjects felt ill and complained of discomfort, although there was no indicator of disease. This means that although positive thinking can drive the healing process, negative thinking can also hinder recovery or even prevent the healing process. Accordingly, people can seem downright normal „think ill“. "Conversely, negative thinking also influences pain perception," explained the study director, Arne May. "Anyone who imagines pain will sooner or later have some," says the scientist from the Hamburg University Hospital. So far, it has only been known that the power of imagination acts on placebo preparations. Patients take supposed medicines, but they contain no active ingredients. Nevertheless, they feel healthy afterwards.

Contradictory pain perception is produced in the brain
In the course of the study, a reduced heat pain was added to the subjects, which, however, increasingly subsided due to the habituation effect. "However, we have told some that the pain would increase“. Result: „The pain did not increase, but remained consistently the same. We call this the 'nocebo effect'. "This contradictory behavior is the responsibility of a particular area in the brain, and neurologists refer to this area „Operculum of the island bark“. For the scientists, this is proof that in anticipation of pain actually pain occurs. "With this we have the proof that even information given once can affect the pain experience." In everyday life this could mean that the doctors would have to be much more careful in dealing with the patients. It really depends on what they say to those affected. Conscious or unconscious transmitted information influences the course of a therapy. So one could argue that by the kind of the information also the success of a treatment is significantly influenced.

Especially dentists know this effect
Especially dentists know this effect. If they tell the patient that a pain sets in, many patients develop an increased sensation of pain at that moment. This effect occurs especially if the patient already has a phobia (keyword: anxiety) before treatment.

Better communication between patient and doctor is required
Based on the study results, the scientists demand a better education for physicians. "Basic questions for a doctor are: How do I deliver bad news, what may and what must I tell my patient?" Such a sensitive approach is hardly communicated to prospective physicians during their studies. "However, this is actually one of our basic tools - especially in everyday clinical practice.", Said the Hamburg research group. (sb, 04.11.2010)

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