Background and aims: Theoretical models for pain suggest interpretation bias affects subsequent pain experience. However, limited research has been conducted on the role of interpretation bias in a subjective pain experience. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of distancing-based interpretation bias modification for pain outcomes (i.e., pain intensity, threshold, and tolerance).
Methods:  This study was conducted on 22 healthy university students in Daejeon, South Korea. Participants were randomly assigned to either the training group (n = 12) or the control group (n = 10). Interpretation bias was assessed before and after conducting the interpretation bias modification for pain (IBM-P). The IBM-P created by E-Prime 2.0 trains participants to choose objective interpretation (vs. pain-related interpretation) to ambiguous pictures. After the IBM-P, participants were asked to complete the cold pressor test and report pain intensity, threshold and tolerance.
Results:  Results indicated that the training group showed significantly less interpretation bias and less pain intensity than the control group after the IBM-P. However, no significant difference was found in other pain outcomes (i.e., threshold and tolerance) between the groups.
Conclusions:  Results highlight that interpretation bias is modifiable and plays an important role in pain outcome. Thus, using IBM-P for pain patients can be a useful application to improve a patient's well-being. Furthermore, future research should consider the precise role of interpretation bias that affects patient's pain outcomes.

THE EFFICACY OF DISTANCING-BASED INTERPRETATION BIAS MODIFICATION PROGRAM FOR PAIN OUTCOMES