Overview

• Neuroimaging data from 40 healthy volunteers in a JNeurosci study showed trial-by-trial predictive cues and placebo lotion altered pain perception during painful heat stimulation.
• Predictive visual cues consistently reduced pain across all participants by modulating a validated neural biomarker for pain intensity.
• Placebo-based treatment assurances activated evaluative brain regions and delivered significant analgesia in about half of the volunteers.
• The analgesic impact of predictive cues was attenuated when administered alongside placebo treatment, revealing interactive effects between expectancy modalities.
• The dissociation between cue- and treatment-based expectations provides a roadmap for personalized communication strategies in clinical pain management.