Can pain make you slower? scientists use iPad game to find out
NCT ID NCT03115788
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study looked at how short-term pain from heat or cold affects thinking and concentration. Twelve healthy adults played an iPad game before, during, and after experiencing mild pain. The goal was to see if pain changes how quickly and accurately people can perform simple tasks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
heat induced pain and cold induced pain
What this could lead to
If successful, this could help understand how pain impacts thinking and concentration, potentially guiding future treatments for pain-related cognitive issues.
What could go wrong
This is a very small, early study with only 12 healthy volunteers, so results may not apply to real-world pain or people with medical conditions.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for COGNITIVE FUNCTION are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Locations
-
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States