Focusing versus distraction and the response to clinical electric shocks.

This study pertains to assessing the effects of electric shocks that are used in the treatment of severe self-injurious behavior. With pain sensation and startle response as the dependent variables and focusing versus distraction of recipient's attention to the electric shocks as the independent variable, these stimuli were administered to 60 paid volunteers. Using ANOVA, no significant effect of the independent variable was found on either measure. However, repeated administration of the electric shock produced a significant increment of pain sensation, with a concomitant significant decrease of magnitude of the startle response. No interaction effect was found.