The Relationship Between Brain Wave Power Value Of Pain Perception And Empathy Using The Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Pain is said to be influenced by many psychological factors such as emotional state that manipulated the level of empathy. However, there are limited studies exploring the neuro-correlation connecting all these aspects. The current study aims to assess the dominant brain wave power value of pain perception and empathy by determining the area activated associated with the imaginary pain under three different categories which are stranger, one-self and loved-one. The study utilized a tool of brain signal detector (electroencephalography (EEG) device) which is Emotiv Insight focusing the relevant area of the brain (AF3, AF4, T7, T8 and Pz) to record the electrical signal of healthy subjects during the pain-visual-stimuli presentations. Images showing the pain condition were used as stimulus material during the EEG brain scanning session. The analysis was performed using Emotive Launcher and Brain Vision Analyzer version 2.2. Findings indicates the imaginary pain has activated the prefrontal area of the brain, specifically the medial frontal gyrus (MFG), superior frontal gyrus (SFG), orbital gyrus, subcallosal gyrus, and rectal gyrus; and revealing theta power band as the most dominant brain wave in this research. These power values also relate with the pain perception that influenced by the empathy level of individuals as observed, individual with high empathy do feel more pain for others. This outcome will help in understanding the mechanism of empathy and pain perception especially when imagining their loved one in pain that could enhance the research development in examining psychological processes.