Detection of Electrodermal Activity in Pain 1

The goal of this study is to investigate the association between self-reported pain and electrodermal activity and to develop an algorithm that detects pain-related changes in electrodermal activity in healthy volunteers undergoing a cold pressor test. The study is exploratory. The main research questions are: Can pain be detected using electrodermal activity, and do psychological variables, including stress, affect the electrodermal response to pain? Study Design: The study has two arms. Methodology: Thirty-seven healthy volunteers perform an experimental pain task while their electrodermal activity is recorded and complete questionnaires. The participants are randomized 1:1 to either the cold pressor test alone or the cold pressor test combined with a mild experimental stressor (Stroop task). Analysis: Discriminant analysis will be used to differentiate between mild, moderate, and severe pain levels. Secondary outcomes include assessing the influence of the mild stressor on the pain response. This study is exploratory, generating hypotheses for subsequent phases of the project.