TY  - JOUR
AU  - Smits, Rachel J H
AU  - van der Wal, Selina E I
AU  - van Boekel, Regina L M
AU  - Timmerman, Hans
AU  - Bronkhorst, Ewald M
AU  - Abrar, Diana
AU  - Vissers, Kris C P
AU  - Blaney Davidson, Esmeralda N
AU  - Steegers, Monique A H
PY  - 2024
DA  - 2024/8/9
TI  - Sex Differences in Pain Sensitivity in a Dutch Cohort: Cross-Sectional and Web-Based Multidimensional Study
JO  - J Med Internet Res
SP  - e53926
VL  - 26
KW  - pain sensitivity
KW  - pain sensitivity questionnaire
KW  - chronic pain
KW  - digital interventions
KW  - mobile health
KW  - film
KW  - sex
KW  - Dutch population
KW  - personalized medicine
KW  - individualized care
AB  - Background: Sex is an important factor influencing the development and treatment of chronic pain, but the extent of its influence is still unclear. Other demographic factors as well as nonpharmacological interventions might influence pain sensitivity differently in men and women. Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of sex and other demographic, lifestyle, behavioral, clinical, and environmental factors on pain sensitivity in the Dutch population. Different films were used to investigate how they would impact pain sensitivity and what influence sex and other variables have on the effect of this simple intervention. Methods: We performed a study consisting of 2 parts: (1) a cross-sectional research to investigate pain sensitivity differences between men and women and the influence of other demographic variables on the pain sensitivity in a Dutch cohort and (2) an internet intervention study to determine whether a short film could skew pain sensitivity. Results: All respondents filled in a web-based demographic questionnaire and were randomized into 4 groups. The control group filled in the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire without watching a preliminary film. A cross-sectional analysis was performed in the control group (n=1746). The other 3 groups watched short films: one group watched a film with scenes of nature (n=2650), another group watched a film on laughing people (n=2735), and the last group watched a film on physically painful events (n=2708). Immediately after the film viewing, participants were directed to the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire to measure their pain sensitivity. The Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire score was stated as a mean per question on the numeric rating scale from 0-1. The cross-sectional study revealed no significant differences between men and women but showed male-female differences in the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire when specific background factors were present. Watching a short film had a positive impact on the pain sensitivity of the respondents who had chronic pain, with a higher effect observed in female respondents. Conclusions: Scientists performing pain research need to account for factors that can influence the outcome of their study and be aware that these factors can be sex-dependent, and pain sensitivity should be analyzed accordingly. Even relatively small interventions such as watching a film can impact pain sensitivity, especially in respondents with current chronic pain. This effect can vary as well when different background factors are present. Our findings warrant further explorations of the possibilities that simple interventions bring for patients in personalized medicine. Trial Registration: Landelijk Trial Register NTR-new NL8182; https://onderzoekmetmensen.nl/en/trial/29537 
SN  - 1438-8871
UR  - https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e53926
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/53926
DO  - 10.2196/53926
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/53926
ER  -