Lily Szymanski

Sona Article
Self-Regulatory Deficits Associated with Unpracticed Mindfulness
Strategies for Coping with Acute Pain

This study analyzes the hypothesis of the effectiveness of mindfulness as a

treatment for acute pain. Many studies have been tested on this topic, yet not all of

them prove to be successful. Due to the fact that mindfulness includes the regulation

and attention of cognition, mindfulness may not contribute to pain tolerance, but affect

your fatigue and build a stronger sense of pain. 63 psychology students with little variety

in demographics. Participants were positive for diabetes, low blood pressure, chronic

pain, panic attacks, or cardiovascular disease. All were monitored through ECG and

placed in a calming environment while simultaneously completing assigned surveys.

Pain tolerance was tested by the length of time participants could submerge their hand

below freezing water. The average tolerance was 113.6 seconds. Additionally, heart

rate was monitored through a biopac system connected to an ECG. Most evidence

showed a baseline heartbeat, considering there was little to none physical activity

involved. Overall this study proved to have beneficial factors to patients with chronic

pain, however initial attempts to be mindful had a negative effect of acute pain.