Effects of Acute Experimental Stress on Pain Sensitivity and Cortisol Levels in Healthy Participants: A Randomized Crossover Pilot Study.

The PASAT evoked significant levels of perceived stress; however, pain sensitivity to mechanical or electrical stimuli was not significantly altered in response to the stress task, and the salivary cortisol levels were not altered in response to the PASAT. These results must be interpreted with caution, and more studies with larger study samples are needed to increase the clinical relevant understanding of the pain mechanisms and psychologic stress.