How does distraction work in the management of pain?

@article{Johnson2005HowDD,
  title={How does distraction work in the management of pain?},
  author={Malcolm H. Johnson},
  journal={Current Pain and Headache Reports},
  year={2005},
  volume={9},
  pages={90-95}
}
Engaging in thoughts or activities that distract attention from pain is one of the most commonly used and highly endorsed strategies for controlling pain. The process of distraction appears to involve competition for attention between a highly salient sensation (pain) and consciously directed focus on some other information processing activity. In this article, the evidence for distraction from pain is examined and the qualities of pain, the distractor, and some individual difference variables… 
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111 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
2
Background Citations
41
Methods Citations
3
Results Citations
3

111 Citations

Mechanisms of distraction in acute pain perception and modulation.
TLDR
Systematic reviews and metaanalyses generally support use of distraction for acute pain among infants and children, with less consistent evidence for adolescents and adults.
Catastrophizing delays the analgesic effect of distraction
The efficacy of attentional distraction and sensory monitoring in chronic pain patients: A meta-analysis.
Gaining insights on the influence of attention, anxiety, and anticipation on pain perception
TLDR
The results suggest the importance of appointing the appropriate attention strategy to different individuals with varying level of trait anxiety, and imply that the effectiveness of attention strategies in attenuating pain is affected by individuals’ pain-related trait anxiety.
Task interference and distraction efficacy in patients with fibromyalgia: an experimental investigation
TLDR
Support for contemporary theories claiming that attention modulates the experience of pain and vice versa is provided, however, no evidence was found for an altered attentional processing of pain in patients with FM.
Use of Video Games in Patients' Self-management of Pain: A Feasibility Study
TLDR
To examine the effects of video game use on pain perception, pain interference perception and perceived self-efficacy in pain management in adult inpatients, a purposive sample of 30 hospitalized adults in a neuro trauma progressive care unit, and an orthopedic acute care unit was utilized.
Anxiety and perception of pain: the role of personality and distractor Ttype
The present research concerns personality type (extraversion and neuroticism), distraction type (relaxation and attentionally demanding), anxiety and pain tolerance. Previous studies have examined…
Interactive effects of pain catastrophizing and mindfulness on pain intensity in women with fibromyalgia
TLDR
It is suggested that various aspects of mindfulness may interact differently with pain and catastrophizing, which may have implications for the design and testing of interventions targeting mindfulness and catastophizing in fibromyalgia patients.
AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTS OF MINDFUL ATTENTION AND TRAIT MINDFULNESS ON ADOLESCENT PAIN
Objective: Attention-based coping strategies that direct attention away from pain have a strong evidence base among adolescents. However, it has been suggested that among youth high in pain…
The effects of mindful attention and state mindfulness on acute experimental pain among adolescents.
TLDR
The mindful attention manipulation was effective among adolescents with a regular meditation practice, and state mindfulness was related to ameliorated pain responses, and these effects were mediated by reduced catastrophizing.
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References

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