Boredom lowers, but humor elevates pressure pain thresholds in pain-free humans: a randomized controlled trial

Scand J Pain. 2026 Apr 16. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2026-0006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Emotional states could affect sensitivity to pain through the descending nociceptive modulatory system. Drawing on the theory of unconscious nociceptive processing and the idea that ascending sensory signals could be unconscious due to the distraction of external events, this study examined whether boredom would increase sensitivity to pain by lowering pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in four body locations (right m.trapezius; left m. trapezius; right m.tibialis anterior; left m.tibialis anterior) in pain-free individuals.

METHODS: Pain-free individuals (n=114) were randomly assigned to three different mental state inductions (boring; humorous; control). Baseline PPTs were measured after an emotionally neutral video and induction PPTs were measured after each of the mental state inductions. Pre-validated videos were used for emotion induction, and a manipulation check was conducted at each test session.

RESULTS: The results showed that boredom significantly lowered PPTs in all four body locations, with large effect sizes. Induced humor significantly elevated PPTs in the right and left m. trapezius, with moderate effect sizes.

CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that boredom increases sensitivity to pain in healthy individuals. Whether this effect extends to clinical pain populations should be examined in future research due to its potential implications for the treatment of pain.

PMID:41996170 | DOI:10.1515/sjpain-2026-0006