Fibromyalgia and the painful self: A meta-analysis of resting-state fMRI data

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex medical condition. The nested hierarchical model of self and its extension to the pain matrix could represent an integrated theoretical framework that might comprehensively captures FM clinical feautres. A multi-level meta-analysis was conducted. Resting-state functional connectivity (RS-FC) studies that compared patients with FM and healthy controls (HCs) were included. The association between RS-FC among self-related brain regions and pain intensity was also explored in the FM group. Eleven studies were eligible for meta-analytic procedures. Patients with FM, compared to HCs, were characterized by an increased RS-FC between the default mode network (DMN) and areas ascribed to interoceptive (e.g., insula) and exteroceptive (e.g., premotor, visual/auditory cortices) self layers. The clinical group also showed a reduced RS-FC among regions of the pain matrix (i.e., periaqueductal gray matter, somatosensory areas) involved in pain modulation. An increased RS-FC within DMN together with a heightened RS-FC between DMN and interoceptive self areas were positively associated to pain intensity reported by patients with FM. The nested hierarchical model of self and its extension to the pain matrix might represent comprehensive neurobiological backgrounds for clarifying core mind-body clinical features of FM.