What role do biases in the interpretation of ambiguous somatosensory stimuli in patients with chronic pain play in the maintenance of chronic pain?

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The planned research will investigate the role biased interpretation of ambiguous somatosensory stimuli has in the maintenance of chronic pain in patients with CP, and whether their modification offers pain relief. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) techniques will be used to assess whether innocuous somatosensory stimuli of differing intensities (e.g., heat, pressure, vibration, electrical sensations) are perceived as unpleasant or painful in those with CP relative to pain-free controls, and also whether the thresholds at which these perceptions occur also differ. The PRL has dedicated space in the Department of Psychology and state-of the art QST equipment.