Abstract
Coping strategies of humans with stress are divided into two major groups by means of stress coping inventory (SCI) after Lazarus, i.e. an emotion-focused type (E-type) and a problem-focused type (C-type). We examined whether these coping strategies and the perception of pain correlate in healthy subjects free from chronic pain. Scores for E-type (Em) and for C-type (Co) were separately counted up within an individual by SCI, and E-type tendency (ET) was calculated by an equation, ET=(Em –Co)/(Em + Co). Digital sensory branches of the radial nerve were electrically stimulated by a sequence of 16 pulses (pulse duration: 500 μsec; pulse interval 15 msec). Recognition threshold for pain and detection threshold to electrical stimulation were determined on the basis of stimulation intensity in mA. Weber's ratio in pain sensation was also registered. Regression analysis was then carried out between thresholds determined and ET. A positive correlation was found between recognition threshold to pain and ET (r2=0.319, p=0.028). Detection threshold to electrical stimulation also positively correlated with ET (r2=0.263, p=0.050). There was no correlation between Weber's ratio in pain sensation and ET (r2=0.011, p=0.704). It was concluded that individuals with a higher tendency to stress-coping strategy of E-type have higher thresholds to somatosensory stimulation. It was also shown that the sensitivity to the changes in stimulation intensity is not affected by the tendency of coping strategy. [Jpn J Physiol 55 Suppl:S226 (2005)]
