EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PAIN AND PROSPECTIVE MEMORY

Abstract

The relationship between pain and memory has been explored through multiple perspectives and approaches. One area that has been less defined is the impact of pain on prospective memory. While studies have found a negative relationship between pain and prospective memory, little is known about the potential mediators or moderators of this relationship. The purpose of the current study was to verify previous findings and to evaluate attention and emotional regulation as mediating variables. Data were collected from a university sample and a sample recruited based on recurrent pain and/or chronic pain. Measures included self-report and online cognitive tests. The use of subjective measures, objective measures, a university sample, and a reporting pain sample provided a more holistic evaluation of each factor and their interactions. Differing patterns were found between samples and between subjective and objective measures. Attention and emotion regulation did not significantly mediate the relationship between pain and prospective memory. Further elucidation of pain and memory interactions could be particularly beneficial to those with chronic pain conditions and cognitive decline.