Effects of External Ear Stimulation on Pain Perception and Mood

This double-blind, randomized, controlled, cross-over study on healthy participants will evaluate the perceptual differences of pain and changes in mood in response to peripheral nerve stimulation over two regions of the left external ear. A series of short and long duration heat stimuli will be applied to the participants forearms and they will be asked to rate their current mood state, the intensity of the pain, and whether it was pleasant or unpleasant. The series of heat stimuli will be applied before, during, and after mild electrical stimulation of the left external ear using a commercially available TENS unit. There are two study sessions. Session 1 involves eligibility screening, a brief practice session, followed by the testing session. In Session 2 (no more than 7 days later), the testing session will be repeated with the exception of the location of ear stimulation. Up to 76 people, ages 18-50 years old, will be enrolled in the study.