Fig. 1

Paradigm. The paradigm comprised three core conditions (perception, motor, and autonomic) and an additional combined condition, which were presented in pseudorandomized order. In each condition, 60 painful laser stimuli were applied to the dorsum of the left hand. Stimulus intensity was varied in a pseudorandomized sequence between three individually adjusted levels (low, medium, and high). The interstimulus interval was varied between 8 and 12 s. In the perception condition, participants were prompted to verbally rate the perceived pain intensity on a numerical rating scale (0–100). Pain ratings served as a measure of the perceptual dimension of pain. In the motor condition, participants were instructed to release a button pressed with the index finger of the right hand as fast as possible in response to noxious stimuli. Reaction times served as a measure of the motor dimension of pain. In the autonomic condition, participants were instructed to focus on the painful stimulation without any particular task while skin conductance responses (SCRs) were recorded. SCRs served as a measure of the autonomic dimension of pain. In the combined condition, the participants were asked to first release the button as fast as possible in response to the noxious stimulus and then provide a pain rating. In addition, SCRs were recorded