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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
08:33
A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Pain and Physical Function, Using Brain Imaging Biomarkers
Published on: January 5, 2024
Fibromyalgia: A Multifactorial Pain Disorder
Tomohiko Aoe1,2
1Pain Center, Chiba Medical Center, Teikyo University, Ichihara 299-0111, Japan.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 12, 2026
Summary
Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder, may have distinct subgroups based on pain thresholds. Identifying these subgroups using neuroimaging could improve diagnosis and treatment for patients with widespread pain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rheumatology
- Pain Medicine
Background:
- Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain condition with subjective diagnostic criteria.
- It involves widespread pain, fatigue, and various physical and psychological symptoms.
- Fibromyalgia is increasingly recognized as a nociplastic pain disorder due to central nervous system alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia.
- To differentiate fibromyalgia subgroups based on pain thresholds.
- To investigate potential pathophysiological differences using neuroimaging.
Main Methods:
- Categorized fibromyalgia patients into low and normal pain threshold subgroups.
- Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for subgroup analysis.
- Reviewed existing literature on fibromyalgia pathogenesis and nociplastic pain.
Main Results:
- Identified two distinct subgroups of fibromyalgia patients based on pain threshold.
- Resting-state fMRI revealed potential differences between these subgroups.
- This classification may reflect varying pathophysiological mechanisms within fibromyalgia.
Conclusions:
- Fibromyalgia may encompass diverse pathophysiological profiles.
- Subgrouping patients by pain threshold and neuroimaging could enhance understanding.
- Tailoring treatments based on identified subgroups may optimize patient care.
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