Researchers have found that low‑intensity focused ultrasound aimed at a brain region known as the insula can lessen the perceived intensity of pain. The discovery comes from investigators at the Biomedical Research Institute affiliated with Virginia Tech Carilion State Medical School in the United States and has been detailed in Pain magazine.
The study enrolled 23 healthy volunteers who were subjected to a heat stimulus on the skin of the hand to induce pain. While the painful stimulus was administered, participants wore headgear that delivered focused ultrasound to the insula. The insular cortex is implicated in consciousness and the processing of emotions, making it a compelling target for modulating how pain is felt and experienced.
Participants reported their pain on a 0 to 9 scale after each heat exposure. Throughout the procedure, researchers tracked heart rate and heart rate variability to gauge how ultrasound stimulation in the brain influenced the body’s reaction to a painful event.
On average, the volunteers experienced a reduction of about 0.75 points in reported pain intensity. While this change might appear modest, it holds meaningful implications for individuals living with chronic pain who rely on over‑the‑counter relief methods. The data suggest that focused ultrasound to the insula can alter both sensory and emotional aspects of pain, potentially offering a complementary approach to pain management.
Beyond pain perception, the study demonstrated improvements in physiological responses to pain‑related stress. Participants showed less pronounced shifts in heart rate and heart rate variability when the ultrasound device was active, indicating a dampened autonomic stress response during painful stimuli.
Background context indicates that the insula plays a crucial role in integrating sensory information with emotional and cognitive processes. By gently modulating activity in this region, noninvasive ultrasound may influence how pain is perceived and how the body responds to stress, with potential applications for clinical pain management and rehabilitation. Future work will explore long‑term effects, optimal dosing, and how this technique could complement existing therapies in diverse patient populations. [Source: Pain magazine]