Working memory and visual discrimination distraction tasks improve cold pressor pain tolerance in children.

Lynnda M DahlquistWendy M GaultneySamantha P BentoEmily M SteinerJulia A ZerothNaomi J ParrRaimi L Quiton

Published in: Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association (2019)

Findings demonstrate the benefits of both visual discrimination and working memory distraction tasks for elementary-aged children experiencing acute pain. Further research is required in order to elucidate the role of executive functioning skills and cognitive load in enhancing distraction analgesia in children, with particular focus on determining optimal load and task difficulty in light of emerging executive functioning abilities in this age group. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Keyphrases

working memory
transcranial direct current stimulation
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
young adults
pain management
chronic pain
neuropathic pain
liver failure
emergency department
spinal cord
intensive care unit
medical students
acute respiratory distress syndrome