Seeing what you feel behind: neuronal correlates of seeing painful stimulation.

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Martin Diers
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology
• Term: from 2012 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 231858704

One of the most common forms of chronic pain is back pain. Until now nothing is known about the influence of seeing one¿s own back on pain perception at this site. Previously we implemented online video feedback of the back during painful pressure stimuli over the trapezius muscle. Visual feedback of the back reduced perceived pain intensity compared to feedback of the hand in both patients and controls. However, the supraspinal mechanism behind pain reduction induced by seeing one¿s own back is currently unknown. Therefore, we will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activation in 20 healthy controls (HC) during painful electrical stimuli of the back while subjects receive visual feedback of a) the dorsum of the hand, b) the site on the back were the stimuli are applied and c) a third persons back. Participants will rate pain intensity during the measurement.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Canada
• Host: Professorin Dr. Petra Schweinhardt