Experimental Health Psychology

By means of experimental research, we aim to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for - or protecting against - pain chronification and disability. Research methods include experimental pain induction techniques (e.g. electrocutaneous stimulation, cold pressor pain, thermode-induced heat, ischemic pain), psychophysiological assessment, ecological momentary assessment, virtual reality and behavioural experiments (e.g. by means of a robotic-arm technique).

In our clinical studies we aim to transfer the knowledge of the experiment work back to the clinic. The role of psychological/behavioural risk and resilience factors is examined in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and patients undergoing surgery. RCTs including group-based and single case experimental designs are performed to examine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of psychological interventions for the management of chronic pain and the prevention of transitioning from acute to chronic pain.

A selection of our current research themes:

• Operant and respondent learning processes for pain-related fear and avoidance
• The role of cognitive biases (attention, interpretation, memory) in pain
• Optimism and positive affect as resilience factors for pain and disability
• Treatment evaluation and mechanisms (e.g. cognitive behavioral treatment, exposure in vivo, positive psychology interventions);
• Peri-operative psychological intervention to prevent chronic post-operative pain
• Development and psychometric evaluation of screening and assessment instruments relevant for pain research

Experimental studies are conducted to elucidate basic mechanisms of sexual functioning, with a main focus on relational dynamics, sexual synchrony, and dyadic interactions between partners. For this, psychophysiological, observational and diary assessment are used, in both partners. We have installed the first dyadic sex lab in which we measure psychophysiological responses of both partners simultaneously in response to endogenous and exogeneous sexual stimuli. New instruments are being developed to induce vaginal pressure and measure pelvic floor muscle tension in the context of genital pain and a mobile version of the penile and vaginal plethysmograph has been developed to measure genital sexual arousal in a non-lab context.

Clinical studies mainly focus on female genital pain disorders, approached from a dyadic perspective. This line of research involves psychophysiological research into the mechanisms of genital pain and the efficacy of biopsychosocial intervention.

A selection of our current research themes:

• Sexual synchrony and coregulation of sexual arousal responses between partners
• The link between sex and attachment
• Sexual information processing
• Genital pain from a biopsychosocial perspective: the role of pelvic floor, sexual arousal and psychosocial risk and resilience factors
• Genital pain from a learning theory perspective: the role of fear generalisation
• Sexual self-concept and sexual well-being in transgender people

In the positive psychology research line, we mainly focus on the role of optimism. In experimental research, we use a writing and visualisation technique (Best Possible Self) to (temporarily) increase optimism and study its effects on several outcomes (self-report, behavioural, and psychophysiological). In clinical research we apply this technique (as stand-alone or combined with other positive psychology exercises) to patients with bodily disorders to help them to better cope with their condition.

A selection of our current research themes:

• Cultural differences in responsiveness to positive psychology techniques
• Optimism induction as a reinforcement of exposure treatment
• Efficacy of a positive psychology program for chronic pain and tinnitus patients.