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A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Pain and Physical Function, Using Brain Imaging Biomarkers
Published on: January 5, 2024
Experimental assessment of affective processing in fibromyalgia
Emily J Bartley1, Jamie L Rhudy, Amy E Williams
1Department of Psychology, The University of Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104, USA.
The Journal of Pain
|July 28, 2009
Summary
Individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) show heightened defensive responses to unpleasant stimuli, indicating potential affective processing deficits limited to threat activation, not positive emotional engagement.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Medical Research
Background:
- Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain condition linked to fatigue and widespread pain.
- Affective distress, including negative emotions and reduced positive emotions, is often correlated with FMS symptoms.
- Experimental evidence is needed to confirm affective processing issues in FMS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate affective processing in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.
- To compare emotional and physiological responses to pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant stimuli between FMS patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a picture-viewing paradigm with pleasant (erotica), neutral, and unpleasant (attack-related) images.
- Evoked startle responses using abrupt white noises during picture presentation.
- Assessed subjective (valence, arousal) and physiological (EMG, heart rate, skin conductance, startle reflex) reactions.
Main Results:
- Fibromyalgia patients exhibited greater defensive activation (increased displeasure, arousal, and corrugator EMG) towards unpleasant stimuli.
- No significant deficits in appetitive activation were observed in response to pleasant stimuli.
- Physiological and subjective responses indicated heightened defensive reactivity in FMS.
Conclusions:
- Fibromyalgia syndrome is associated with enhanced defensive activation to threat-related stimuli.
- Affective processing deficits in FMS may be specific to defensive responses, not appetitive ones.
- Findings suggest implications for FMS treatment and future research directions.
