Reduction of cold-pressor pain with acupuncture analgesia in high- and low-hypnotic subjects.

Examined the effect of acupuncture on the cold-pressor pain of high and low hypnotically susceptible undergraduates. The 24 high-susceptible Ss and the 24 low-susceptible Ss verbally reported their course of pain over each 60-sec cold-pressor trial on a numerical rating scale. On Trial 1, in which no groups received treatment, pain ratings did not differ between groups. On Trial 2, Ss who received acupuncture reported significantly less pain than their no-treatment counterparts. The Treatment by Susceptibility interaction was significant, with high-susceptible Ss being more responsive to acupuncture. When an acupuncture effect occurred, it was invariably one of pain reduction; in no case was pain elimination reported. It is concluded that hypnotic susceptibility may be a relevant dimension of individual differences in responsivity to acupuncture. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)