Key result
Verbal social support attenuated blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol reactivity, and pain ratings during a cold pressor task compared to neutral non-support and alone conditions.
Why the study?
Does verbal social support reduce physiological stress responses and pain sensitivity during a cold pressor task compared to neutral non-support or being alone?
Does verbal social support reduce physiological stress responses and pain sensitivity during a cold pressor task compared to neutral non-support or being alone?
Verbal social support, rather than mere social presence, effectively attenuates physiological stress responses and subjective pain during a cold pressor task.
Supports incorporating verbal support into acute stress protocols; extends RCT evidence distinguishing active support from presence.
BACKGROUND: Social support improves health and has been shown to attenuate stress and pain. The precise characteristics of social support responsible for these effects, however, remain elusive. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the relative efficacy of social support versus a neutral non-verbal social presence to attenuate stress and pain. METHODS: Seventy-six participants provided pain ratings and task assessments during a cold pressor task (CPT) in one of three conditions: verbal social support, neutral non-support, or alone. Reactivity to the CPT was assessed via cardiovascular measures, cortisol, and subjective ratings. RESULTS: Participants receiving social support showed attenuated blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol reactivity, as well as reduced pain ratings, task difficulty, tension, and effort compared to neutral non-support and alone conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Social support, not the mere presence of another individual, attenuated stress and pain during a CPT. Given the negative health consequences of stress and pain, clinical studies incorporating social support into medical procedures and treatments are warranted.
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Roberts et al. (2015) studied Experimental pain (Cold Pressor Task) (n=76). Verbal social support vs. Neutral non-support or alone was evaluated on Reactivity to the cold pressor task (cardiovascular measures, cortisol, and subjective ratings). Verbal social support attenuated blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol reactivity, and pain ratings during a cold pressor task compared to neutral non-support and alone conditions.
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