Cited by 170Pain Management and Placebo EffectPain Mechanisms and TreatmentsPsychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments

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The role of emotion in pain modulation.

Rhudy, Jamie L., Meagher, Mary W.·2001·Current Opinion in Psychiatry

DOI 10.1097/00001504-200105000-00012

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Abstract

Although most agree that emotion can alter pain, little well-controlled research has been conducted to examine this issue. The present review provides psychological and physiological rationales for considering the influence of emotion on pain, followed by an overview of recent work in this area. We conclude that the pain-modulating effects of emotion are best characterized by an interaction between valence and arousal. Positive emotions lead to pain reduction as long as a minimal threshold of arousal is attained. However, negative emotions only lead to pain inhibition when they are highly arousing. Negative emotions coupled with low-to-moderate arousal facilitate pain.

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Authors: Rhudy, J. L., & Meagher, M. W.
Affiliations: Texas A&M University (US)
Corresponding author: Meagher, Mary W.
ORCID: Rhudy, Jamie L.
Meagher, Mary W.
Venue: Current Opinion in Psychiatry
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published: 2001-05
Volume: 14
Issue: 3
Pages: 241-245
ISSN: 0951-7367 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1097/00001504-200105000-00012
OpenAlex: W2329382998
Cited by: 170
References: 42
Citations by year: 2026: 5 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 4
FWCI: 0.87
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Current Opinion in Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Pain Management and Placebo Effect
Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
Keywords: emotions, pain modulation, pain inhibition, pain facilitation, valence, arousal, positive emotions, negative emotions

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The role of emotion in pain modulation.

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