This study examined the effect of state anxiety on pain thresholds. 48 participants underwent one of three conditions: increased anxiety, reduced anxiety, or a control condition. Pain thresholds were measured before and after manipulating anxiety levels using an algometer. While there was no main effect of time or anxiety condition on pain thresholds, there was a significant interaction where pain thresholds significantly increased after anxiety was reduced compared to before. The findings suggest that reducing anxiety significantly increases pain thresholds, while increasing anxiety has no significant effect.

1. The Effect of State Anxiety on Pain Thresholds
Abstract
Pain is a subjective experience affected by a range of psychological factors, including
anxiety. Anxiety is an adaptive response to real or potential danger, divided into two sub-
categories; state anxiety and trait anxiety. Induced state anxiety has consistently been found
to decrease pain thresholds. The current study aims to extend these findings, in light of
contradictory research leaving a gap in the ability to explain the relationship fully. 48
participants, with a mean age of 20.67 years partook in one of three conditions; increased
anxiety, reduced anxiety or control. An algometer was used to measure pain thresholds pre
and post-anxiety manipulation alongside the state subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety
Inventory for Adults (STAI-Ad) as a state anxiety manipulation check. A 3x2 mixed
ANOVA revealed no significant effect of time (pre/post) or anxiety on pain thresholds,
however revealed a significant interaction between time and anxiety, with significantly
decreased post-anxiety manipulation pain thresholds compared to pre-anxiety manipulation in
the reduced anxiety condition. The findings infer that a reduction in anxiety significantly
increases pain thresholds, whereas an increase in anxiety has no significant effect on pain
thresholds. Future research should account for methodological issues within the current study
and focus on utilising an alternative or prolonged method of anxiety induction.