Effects of Acute Pain on Cognitive Performance in Young Adults

Abbreviations: HR= heart rate, bpm= beats per minute; BP= blood pressure; ADD= attention deficit disorder; ADHD= attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; MoCA= Montreal Cognitive Assessment; GAD-7= Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Scale; PHQ-2, PHQ-9= Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and -9. Inclusion Criteria: 18-35 years old Self-identifying as generally medically healthy Able to read, write and speak English Able to provide informed consent Willing to undergo the experimental pain or non-painful electrical stimulation, if selected Exclusion Criteria: Resting HR < 50 or > 100 bpm Resting BP < 90/60 or > 140/95 mmHg Any history or current mental health condition, learning/developmental disability or cognitive impairment, including ADD/ADHD, severe anxiety, severe depression, autism spectrum disorder, insomnia, mild cognitive impairment, etc. Score on the MoCA <23 Score on the GAD-7 ≥ 10 Score on the PHQ-2 ≥ 2 and score on the PHQ-9 ≥ 10 Any current (within last 3 month) or chronic medical conditions, including any musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, endocrine, pulmonary, metabolic, psychiatric or neurological diagnosis Any implanted electronic medical devices (i.e., cardiac pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators, spinal cord neurostimulators) Any impaired sensation or weakness in either lower extremity or in the area targeted for the stimulus History of serious concussion or head injury, defined as a loss of consciousness for > 5 minutes and/or requiring medical treatment, or > 2 concussions over the lifespan Any history of acute or chronic problems with balance, any dizziness, or > 1 fall in the last 12 months Taking 4 or more medications Currently or regularly using any analgesic medications, over-the-counter remedies, or any other treatment for the purposes of pain relief (i.e., baby aspirin for heart health permitted, etc.) Any current or chronic pain condition during the last year, located anywhere in the body Allergy to capsaicin or hot peppers Any skin lesion, breakage or irritation in the area targeted for the painful stimulus Skin sensitivity to soaps/creams/perfumes or to heat Poor circulation in the area targeted for the painful stimulus Prior participation in a locomotor learning study in this lab within the last 2 years