N/A
N=145
Examination of Psychological and Physiological Pathways Linking Gratitude and Pain
Acute Pain · Positive Thinking · Emotions
Bottom Line
View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06317844 ↗Enrolled (actual)
145
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Apr 2026
Primary outcome: Primary: Change in Subjective Pain Ratings From Baseline to 10-minutes Post Cold Pressor Test — .002; .020; 3.23; 2.55 Units on a Scale
Study Design & Population
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- N/A
- Interventions
- Behavioral Writing Intervention (Behavioral)
- Age
- Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
- Sex
- All
- Sponsor
- Black Hills State University
- Primary completion
- Aug 2025
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Change in Subjective Pain Ratings From Baseline to 10-minutes Post Cold Pressor Test |
.002; .020; 3.23; 2.55; 4.63; 3.86 | — |
| PRIMARY Differences in Pain Tolerance to Cold Pressor Test |
73.310; 76.817 | — |
| PRIMARY Differences in Pain Onset to Cold Pressor Test |
14.847; 18.521 | — |
| SECONDARY Differences in Pain-Related Cognition |
12.457; 12.454; 9.065; 9.572 | — |
| SECONDARY Differences in Autonomic Nervous System Responsivity |
86.083; 78.708; 96.388; 80.264; 95.039; 81.157 | — |
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of a brief gratitude intervention on individuals' psychological and physiological responses to acute pain. Furthermore, these associations will be examined in the context of genetic variations associated with both pain and psychological processes.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- must be pain-free
- must be at least 18 years old
Exclusion Criteria
- cardiovascular disease
- Raynaud's disease
- epilepsy
- being pregnant
- having a current injury to or open cut or sore on one's non-dominant hand
- history of fainting or seizures
- history of frostbite in non-dominant hand
- chronic pain conditions (e.g., fibromyalgia, neuropathy, arthritis)
- diabetes
- malignant tumor
- chronic lung disease
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- gastrointestinal diseases
- currently taking opioids
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06317844). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.