A friendship study on touch, physiological responses, and pain
Are you interested in taking part in a research project that aims to investigate the role of touch on the experience of pain and physiological responses?
We are currently recruiting pairs of female friends to take part in a pain task whilst their friend provides different modes of social support.
Who can take part
Both participants must be female and over the age of 18.
At least one person per pair must not have any:
- chronic or acute pain
- cardiovascular problems (for example, Raynaud’s syndrome)
- a pacemaker
- are pregnant
- have scars, tattoos or eczema on the outside of your forearms
- a history of fainting
- seizures
- a history of frostbite
- open cuts or fractures of right foot
What the study will involve
If you decide to participate, you will both be invited to the Tom Reilly building, Byrom Street campus, LJMU, for one laboratory session.
One of you will be fitted with a heart rate monitor, and experience pain in the form of a cold pressor task. The participant experiencing pain has complete control on how long they experience the pain, and can stop it at any time. This protocol has been carefully developed to reduce any chance of harm, only short-term discomfort and pain should be experienced.
The friend will be tasked with providing different types of social support to the person experiencing pain at different points throughout the study.
Benefits of taking part
At the end of the study, both participants will receive a £5 Amazon gift voucher and can enter a prize draw to win another £25 voucher. Your participation will contribute to the further understanding of the impact of friendship on pain and physiological responses.
For more information, please email Olivia McNeill.