Nyssa Mitra
Class of 2028Foster City, California
About
Hi there! I’m Nyssa, a freshman from the Bay Area, California. My project, *The Power of Diversion: How Positive Distractions Alleviate Discomfort in Adults*, was my first time conducting research with real human participants—and I absolutely loved it! From hands-on data collection to working with actual control and experimental groups, the experience opened my eyes to the world of research. Through this project, I hope to contribute to distraction research and show how simple diversions can help adults manage discomfort, offering valuable insights for healthcare, therapy, and athletic recovery.Projects
- "The Power of Diversion: Positive Distractions Alleviating Discomfort in Adults" with mentor Samantha (Working project)
Project Portfolio
The Power of Diversion: Positive Distractions Alleviating Discomfort in Adults
Started Oct. 22, 2024
Abstract or project description
The power of diversion is truly remarkable! It's not just about taking our minds off discomfort, but about reshaping how we experience it. For adults, pain—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—often feels overwhelming, as the mind tends to focus intently on the sensation. But, what if we could interrupt that cycle? What if something as simple as listening to a favorite song, engaging in conversation, or watching a funny video could offer relief? This project aims to explore just that: how distractions can alleviate pain and increase tolerance, specifically for adults. Using the Cold Pressor Test, we will measure how long adults can keep their hands submerged in ice-cold water. The experimental group will experience one of three distractions—engaging in conversation, listening to music, or watching a video—while the control group will face the discomfort in silence, allowing us to see how the mind's focus directly impacts pain tolerance. I predict that the experimental group, those that are receiving the positive distractions will keep their hand in the cold water longer than those in the control group, meaning they are enduring less pain with distractions. By comparing the results, we aim to identify which distraction is most effective for prolonging pain endurance. This research is particularly impactful for adults in healthcare settings, therapy centers, and gyms—where managing pain is a critical concern. Whether it's helping adults in hospitals cope with chronic conditions, supporting athletes through recovery, or improving focus during stressful situations, simple distractions could offer non-invasive solutions to ease discomfort. The findings could transform pain management, empowering adults to better handle discomfort, regain control over their experience, and improve their overall well-being. Ultimately, this project will demonstrate that diversion isn't just a mental escape—it's a powerful tool that can reshape the way adults manage pain and stress, offering practical, everyday solutions for better health and quality of life!!