Attention and distraction have no modulatory effect on the nociceptive withdrawal reflex

Attention and distraction can influence the intensity of the perceived pain. Attention or the announcement of pain lead to an augmentation of the reported pain, while distraction has the opposite effect. Previous studies of effects on the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) threshold revealed inconsistent results. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether attention and distraction have to be considered in usual experimental settings for NFR threshold calculation. NFR threshold was recorded in 12 healthy female volunteers. The NFR is a physiological spinal reflex of protection which correlates with subjective pain th…