The Bingel Laboratory
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Bingel and her research group focuses on the interaction between pain and cognitive processes. We have a longstanding expertise in investigating the CNS mechanisms underlying nociception, pain, and pain modulation in health and disease. In our research, we use behavioural paradigms, pharmacological modulations, as well as functional and structural brain imaging. Being particularly intrigued by the reciprocal effects of pain and cognition, we have a strong focus on translational questions such as the role of expectations and prior experiences on analgesic treatment outcomes. Our interdisciplinary research group comprises neurologists, neuroscientists, psychologists, biologists, and computer scientists and is based at the Department of Neurology at the University Medicine Essen. We are affiliated with the Erwin-L-Hahn institute for magnetic resonance imaging and the Translational Pain Research Department of the University Pain Center. Our research is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
Recent News
In a recently published exploratory analysis of our randomized controlled trial, Elif Caliskan and members of our team examined whether psychological and physiological factors predict objective improvements (spinal mobility) after OLP treatment combined with treatment-as-usual. The results indicate that patients with lower pain catastrophizing benefited most, showing increased spinal motion velocity, while those with higher catastrophizing did not. These findings highlight that OLPs may provide measurable benefits for specific patient subgroups, pointing toward the potential of personalized pain medicine. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and to better understand the role of psychological factors in chronic pain management. Read the full publication
A new perspective piece led by Helena Hartmann details the many ways in which we cna use feminist approaches in our own research. Feminism is about all forms of challenging social, economic and political power taken by a dominant group. Applying a feminist lens to scientific research can bring many advantages. The paper functions as an access point for (1) why researchers should incorporate feminist approaches in psychological science, (2) what feminist approaches could look like and (3) how researchers can start incorporating them into their own work. Find out more about the Feminist Wonder Lab and read the full article published in Collabra: Psychology.
After many rehearsals, yesterday some of our lab members participated in the on-site review for the third funding period of the Collaborative Research Center 1280. We represented project A11 which investigates the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying the acquisition, extinction and reinstatement of pain-related fear in the context of somatic pain. The newly planned project for the third funding period will tackle learning and extinction in dynamic environments in healthy individuals and chronic pain patients. Now we have our fingers crossed until the DFG makes their final decision!
In the picture from left to right: Katja Wiech, Katarina Forkmann, Jialin Li, Lea Busch, Ulrike Bingel, & Katharina Schmidt
This online study (n = 532) led by Diana Müssgens assessed preferences and expectations concerning open-label placebo (OLP) dosage form, intake frequency, and pricing. Round white pills were rated as most appealing, convincing, and effective. OLP pills were expected to be most effective for improving mood and sleep. Finally, people would pay most for OLPs intended to treat chronic pain, mood, and sleep. Want to know more? Read the full article here.
