Background & Aims

Although previous research has indicated that operant conditioning can induce placebo hypoalgesia (Adamczyk et al., 2019; Bieniek & B?bel, 2023), the effectiveness of this procedure in the case of the nocebo effect remains unknown. Therefore, this experiment aims to discover whether it is possible to obtain nocebo hyperalgesia through operant conditioning. Also, it tries to explore whether lowering cognitive and physical effort may serve as negative reinforcement and contribute to the nocebo effect.

Methods

Participants are being randomly assigned to four groups: nocebo group with physical effort, nocebo group with cognitive effort, and their respective control groups. The experiment consists of the following phases: calibration, pretest, operant conditioning, and posttest. During the operant conditioning phase in both experimental groups, participants have a choice to accept or reject the nocebo (sham TENS device). Opting for the nocebo augments the pain intensity, whereas rejecting it maintains the pain intensity at the same level. However, augmented pain intensity is further followed by lower physical or cognitive effort (depending on the group), while leaving the intensity at the same level is followed by a higher effort. In the control groups, the consequences are delivered randomly.

Results

Data collection is currently ongoing, and the pilot results will be presented during the conference.

Conclusions

Conclusions will be presented during the upcoming conference.

References

[1] Adamczyk, W. M., Wiercioch?Kuzianik, K., Bajcar, E. A., & B?bel, P. (2019). Rewarded placebo analgesia: a new mechanism of placebo effects based on operant conditioning. European Journal of Pain, 23(5), 923-935.

[2] Bieniek, H., & B?bel, P. (2023). Placebo hypoalgesia induced by operant conditioning: a comparative study on the effects of verbal, token-based, and social rewards and punishers. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 20346.

Presenting Author

Justyna Br?czyk

Poster Authors

Justyna Br?czyk

OTHR

Jagiellonian University

Lead Author

Helena Bieniek

Jagiellonian Univeristy

Lead Author

Ewa Buglewicz-Przewo?nik

MA

Lead Author

Magdalena ?egle?

PhD

Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

Lead Author

El?bieta A. Bajcar

PhD

Jagiellonian University

Lead Author

Borys?aw Paulewicz

PhD

Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University in Cracow

Lead Author

Przemys?aw B?bel

Prof.

Jagiellonian University, Institute of Psychology, Pain Research Group

Lead Author

Topics

  • Placebo