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. 2009 Sep;34(8):1247-51.
doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.03.008. Epub 2009 Apr 17.

The association of the cortisol awakening response with experimental pain ratings

L A Fabian  1 , L McGuire, G G Page, B R Goodin, R R Edwards, J Haythornthwaite
Affiliations

The association of the cortisol awakening response with experimental pain ratings

L A Fabian et al. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2009 Sep.

Abstract

Cortisol is a key stress hormone that is implicated in a variety of physiological responses. Attenuated Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is associated with many negative health outcomes, but little research has investigated CAR and pain. The current study examines the association of CAR with experimental acute-pain ratings in healthy men and women. Attenuated CAR was related to greater pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings. Future research should examine this association across various pain populations.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

All authors declare that they do not have any conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Raw AUCI CAR values for individual participants by Flattened Cortisol Awakening Response group and the Normal Cortisol Awakening Response group followed by the log-transformed salivary cortisol response by group, across the Time Points of Awakening, 15min, 30min, and 60min post-awakening.
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