198 Three questionnaires were used to measure baseline differences in psychological characteristics. The questionnaires were completed by participants prior to their lab visit. Total scores were used for the following questionnaires: The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS; Sullivan, Bishop, and Pivik, 1995), the Fear of Pain Questionnaire (FPQ-III; McNeil and Rainwater, 1998), and the Experience of Cognitive intrusions on Pain scale (ECIP; Attridge et al., 2015). At the end of the experiment, participants also completed an exit questionnaire containing manipulation check questions, assessing, for example, whether participants understood the instructions. All questionnaires, as well as a debriefing form, were displayed via web-based survey software (Qualtrics, Provo, Utah, USA). Experimental procedure Before the day of testing, participants completed a brief online screening as well as the psychological questionnaires. On the day of the testing session, participants received further information about the procedures and provided written informed consent. Then, participants completed a brief screening for inclusion and were provided with information about the EEG and the (sham) pain-enhancing effects of the nocebo gel. EEG caps were then mounted, electrolyte gel was applied (SignaGel, Parker laboratories Inc., Fairfield, New Jersey, USA) and the scalp electrodes were placed. Warmth and pain threshold levels were then tested and individual pain stimuli were calibrated. Thereafter, continuous EEG recording started and the baseline phase was completed. Participants then completed a 5-minute resting-state recording with their eyes closed. Then, participants underwent nocebo acquisition and evocation. Subsequently, participants completed a second 5-minute resting-state recording. After the end of the experiment, participants completed the
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