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 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 fixates on the sensation. But what if we could interrupt that cycle? What if something as simple as listening to music, engaging in conversation, or watching a video could offer relief?
This project explores how distractions alleviate pain and increase tolerance in adults. Using the Cold Pressor Test, we will measure how long participants can keep their hands submerged in ice-cold water. The experimental group will experience one of three distractions (conversation, music, or video) while the control group faces the discomfort in silence, allowing us to examine the mind’s role in pain tolerance.
I predict that the experimental group will keep their hands in the water longer than the control group, enduring less pain with distractions. After analyzing the data, my hypothesis was confirmed: the experimental group lasted nearly three times longer, with conversation proving most effective.
Whether helping patients with chronic pain, aiding athletes in recovery, or improving focus in stressful situations, simple distractions offer non-invasive relief. These findings could transform pain management, empowering adults to handle discomfort, regain control over their experience, and improve overall well-being. Ultimately, this project demonstrates that diversion isn’t just a mental escape—it’s a powerful tool for managing pain and stress, offering practical solutions for better health and quality of life.