Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of using fMRI to measure pain responses in women with and without postpartum depression

Abstract

Little is known about differences in pain perception among depressed versus non-depressed postpartum women. This novel study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of enrolling non-depressed and depressed postpartum women in a laboratory-induced pain study using fMRI. Eleven non-depressed and two depressed postpartum women participated in a cold pain-induced experiment using fMRI. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed. Brain activation of the pain-associated regions of interest was measured. Participants provided subjective pain ratings (i.e., intensity and unpleasantness). The results indicated that enrolling postpartum women in a laboratory-induced pain study using fMRI is feasible. Participants found the study acceptable. The findings showed that the study’s pain device activated the amygdala and insula in the non-depressed group, with activation in the anterior cingulate cortex being marginally significant. Exploratory analyses of differences in brain activation by depression status were not statistically significant. There was a significant and positive association between depressive symptoms and pain unpleasantness. Subjective pain ratings differed by depression status but were not statistically significant. This study showed that conducting a pain experiment using fMRI with postpartum women is feasible and acceptable. Future research should include a larger sample to confirm findings and investigate the impact of depression on pain responses.