Bar-Ilan University study: Focusing on pain helps heal inflammation faster

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have found that conscious focus on an inflamed area can help reduce acute biological inflammation more rapidly, according to a study published in Nature Human Behaviour. The experiment, supervised by Dr. Liron Rozenkrantz of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, involved 57 participants aged 20 to 45. Researchers induced acute skin inflammation using a histamine skin prick test. Participants were instructed either to focus their attention on the sensations arising from the inflamed site or to remain distracted by watching videos. The results indicated that 90% of those who focused on their pain experienced less swelling and redness, with their inflammation resolving faster than those in the distraction group. Dr. Rozenkrantz stated that the study demonstrates for the first time that focused attention can regulate immune responses in real time. Neuroscience experts suggest these findings could open new pathways for treating chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases through targeted attention training alongside traditional medical care.