Journal of PainPub Date : 2025-07-29DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105509
Emily J Bartley, Mary R Janevic, Martha O Kenney
{"title":"Emerging approaches to addressing longstanding inequities: Insights from the Journal of Pain special issue on pain disparities.","authors":"Emily J Bartley, Mary R Janevic, Martha O Kenney","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105509","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105509","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":"105509"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2025-07-27DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105511
Zi-Xian Zhang , Jin Xi , Xian-Zhen Yin , Ying-Shuang Qiu , Jian-Zhong Guan
{"title":"DNMT3a contributes to bone cancer pain by epigenetic silencing of Kcnq2/Kcnq3 in dorsal root ganglion neurons","authors":"Zi-Xian Zhang , Jin Xi , Xian-Zhen Yin , Ying-Shuang Qiu , Jian-Zhong Guan","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105511","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105511","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Metastatic bone tumors induce transcriptional changes in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, which may contribute to bone cancer pain. A key factor in this process is the downregulation of Kv7 (KCNQ)/M channels in DRG neurons, leading to neuronal hyperexcitability and pain hypersensitivity. However, the mechanisms underlying bone cancer-induced Kv7 channels suppression remain poorly understood. DNA methyltransferase (DNMT)-mediated DNA methylation is known to suppress gene expression. In this study, we demonstrate that DNMT3a plays a critical role in the genesis of bone cancer pain, likely through the transcriptional repression of <em>Kcnq2</em> and <em>Kcnq3</em> genes. Furthermore, we identified C/EBPβ as a transcriptional activator of <em>Dnmt3a</em>, whose expression is upregulated in DRG neurons during bone cancer progression. Further studies suggest that VEGFA may be involved as an upstream signaling molecule in DNMT3a-mediated transcriptional repression of <em>Kcnq2</em> and <em>Kcnq3</em>. Activation of the VEGFA/VEGFR2-PI3K-Akt-C/EBPβ signaling pathway correlates with DNMT3a-mediated transcriptional inhibition of <em>Kcnq2/Kcnq3</em> genes in DRG neurons, which may lead to neuronal hyperexcitability and pain hypersensitivity in tumor-bearing rats. Collectively, these findings suggest that VEGFA/VEGFR2-PI3K-Akt-C/EBPβ signaling may represent a critical axis in DNMT3a-dependent epigenetic regulation of Kv7 (KCNQ)/M channels, offering potential therapeutic avenues for bone cancer pain management.</div></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><div>This study reveals that VEGFA/VEGFR2-PI3K-Akt-C/EBPβ-DNMT3a axis drives bone cancer pain via epigenetic repression of <em>Kcnq2/3</em> in DRG neurons, identifying promising therapeutic targets for cancer pain management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 105511"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144738208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2025-07-26DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105512
Mariana Agostinho , Galia Emergui , Rita Canaipa , Roi Treister
{"title":"The prediction of the analgesic placebo effect is moderated by direction of attention: Results from fibromyalgia and healthy controls","authors":"Mariana Agostinho , Galia Emergui , Rita Canaipa , Roi Treister","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105512","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105512","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite extensive research, reliable predictors of the placebo response remain elusive. The within-subject variability (WSV) of pain reports has emerged as a potential predictor, with multiple studies confirming its predictive value. But the results have been mixed. We recently showed that direction of attention moderates WSV’s role in predicting the placebo response in patients with chronic back pain. This observational study aims to further examine the relationship between direction of attention, WSV, and the placebo effect in fibromyalgia patients (FM) and healthy controls. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, clinical pain diaries (for FM), and the revised Self-Consciousness Scale (SCS-R). Afterward, participants underwent two experimental procedures: (1) the Focused Analgesia Selection Test (FAST), assessing experimental WSV of pain reports, and (2) an experimental placebo paradigm. Moderation and regression analyses examined the role of the SCS-R subscales in moderating the prediction of the placebo effect by the WSV of pain reports. Sixty-nine participants (healthy: 37, FM: 32) completed the protocol. Groups did not differ in SCS-R subscales, WSV, or placebo effect magnitude (p≥0.281). At low levels of private self-consciousness (p=0.013) and social anxiety (p=0.017) among FM, clinical WSV played a significant role in predicting the placebo effect. Public self-consciousness for FM showed a similar trend toward significance. These findings underscore attention as a relevant moderator of the placebo effect, emphasizing the need for improved measurement tools to predict the placebo effect.</div></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><div>We highlight the role of direction of attention in the prediction of the placebo effect. Our current findings validate our previous recent results from a cohort of chronic back pain patients, implying that direction of attention should be used in future attempts to improve the prediction of the placebo effect.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 105512"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144735115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2025-07-26DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105510
Martial Caillaud , Yogesh Rakholia , Lauren Soleo , Bryan D. Mckiver , Wisam Toma , Michael D. Burton , Nolan A. Wages , Priyam Das , M. Imad Damaj
{"title":"Paclitaxel-induced neuroinflammation after systemic administration in male and female mice","authors":"Martial Caillaud , Yogesh Rakholia , Lauren Soleo , Bryan D. Mckiver , Wisam Toma , Michael D. Burton , Nolan A. Wages , Priyam Das , M. Imad Damaj","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105510","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105510","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most prevalent neurotoxic, dose-limiting side effects of paclitaxel, a chemotherapy agent used widely in solid cancers. The mechanism of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is poorly understood, and thus there are no approved treatments currently. Notably, neuroinflammation has been described as a cardinal component in the pathogenesis of PIPN. However, animal studies of PIPN assessing neuroinflammation mediators have mostly focused on gene expression, not protein, and usually in one neuronal tissue and/or at one time point in male mice. Thus, characterization of inflammation mediators at different timepoints, in both sexes, and in different neuronal tissues is critical to understanding PIPN. Paclitaxel (8 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle was administered every other day for a total of four injections in male and female C57BL/6J mice. Mechanical and cold sensitivity, nerve conductance, and 22 cytokines and chemokines levels in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord (SC) were measured at different time points (7, 14, and 21 days) post injections in both sexes. Paclitaxel induced mechanical and cold hypersensitivity and decreased nerve conduction amplitude similarly in both male and female mice. Multiplex cytokine analysis revealed that paclitaxel-induced increase in neuroinflammation is time-, sex-, and tissue- dependent. Our findings provide novel contribution to current knowledge about neuroinflammation as an important mechanism in PIPN. In addition, the results could explain potential mechanistic sex differences in immune pain signaling that can guide precision medicine in the future.</div></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><div>Our study demonstrated that the chemodrug paclitaxel induces nociceptive and physiological changes similarly in male and female mice. However, paclitaxel-induced increase in neuroinflammation is time-, sex-, and tissue- dependent. These findings could pave the way for more effective and personalized management of CIPN.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 105510"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144735114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2025-07-22DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105508
Kent Jonsson , Andreas Pikwer , Erik MG Olsson , Magnus Peterson
{"title":"Altered breathing pattern and thoracic mobility in women with fibromyalgia: A case-control study","authors":"Kent Jonsson , Andreas Pikwer , Erik MG Olsson , Magnus Peterson","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105508","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105508","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this study was to investigate respiratory parameters, including minute ventilation, tidal volume, and respiratory rate, and the role of thoracic mobility in women with FM compared to healthy controls. This case-control study included 38 women with fibromyalgia and 44 age-matched healthy women. Respiratory rate was measured using a portable monitor and tidal volume was assessed through spirometry. The minute ventilation was calculated by multiplying tidal volume by respiratory rate. Thoracic mobility was evaluated by measuring chest expansion. Pressure pain threshold was assessed over paraspinal muscles between C7-T7 by algometry to evaluate pain sensitivity. Perceived stress was assessed using the questionnaire Perceived Stress Scale −10. Women with fibromyalgia exhibited significantly higher minute ventilation (p<0.032), respiratory rate (p<0.001), and lower tidal volume (p<0.001) compared to healthy controls. Thoracic mobility was reduced in participants with fibromyalgia. Group differences in minute ventilation disappeared when adjusting for perceived stress, suggesting a psychological influence on respiratory parameters. However, differences in respiratory rate and tidal volume were still significant. Fibromyalgia is associated with altered breathing function, including higher respiratory rate and lower tidal volume. Thoracic mobility and stress may contribute to these changes.</div></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><div>Compared to healthy controls, women with fibromyalgia exhibit an altered breathing pattern which consists of higher minute ventilation due to increased respiratory rate. Reduced thoracic mobility and perceived stress may contribute to this condition<strong>.</strong> Including the respiratory system in the evaluation and treatment may optimize the effects of rehabilitation.</div></div><div><h3>Trial registration number</h3><div>ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04098731.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 105508"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2025-07-21DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105507
Nicholas P Cherup, Patrick H Finan
{"title":"Psilocybin as a psychophysical adaptogen in chronic pain rehabilitation.","authors":"Nicholas P Cherup, Patrick H Finan","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105507","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105507","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Those living with chronic pain and comorbid functional disabilities are often confronted by a physically and emotionally transformative experience, impacting their identity and ability to derive meaning in life. Despite the use of various pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments to moderate symptoms, the degree of analgesia and functional recovery are far from optimal. Psychological disorders including depression and anxiety, and maladaptive cognitive-affective states such as pain catastrophizing and fear of movement collectively impact participant engagement with rehabilitation services, leading to further deteriorations in functional status while perpetuating pain symptoms into a continuous and distressing cycle of avoidance and sedentary behavior. Psilocybin is known to produce altered states of consciousness through altered functional connectivity among key brain regions responsible for self-referential and sensorimotor processing. While preliminary evidence suggests drastic and favorable therapeutic effects among those with psychiatric disorders and unhelpful coping skills, there is limited research examining its analgesic potential and ability to foster participation in structured rehabilitation programs through changes in self-perception and meaning-making processes. The current focus article examines the application of psilocybin as a psychophysical adaptogen among those suffering from chronic pain. We propose psilocybin may be used to simultaneously improve illness identity and neuromotor outcomes through a reframing of perceived barriers to exercise engagement. PERSPECTIVE: This focus article examines the potential of psilocybin to enhance patient engagement in chronic pain rehabilitation by modulating self-perception and meaning-making processes-two underexplored yet critical barriers to successful pain management. We also propose a novel integrative framework embedding targeted movement therapy sessions into psilocybin study protocols.</p>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":"105507"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144700306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2025-07-21DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105506
Putu Gita Nadinda , Antoinette I.M. van Laarhoven , Johan W.S. Vlaeyen , Madelon L. Peters , Andrea W.M. Evers
{"title":"I expect therefore I avoid? The effects of negative expectancy learning on pain and pain-related avoidance behavior","authors":"Putu Gita Nadinda , Antoinette I.M. van Laarhoven , Johan W.S. Vlaeyen , Madelon L. Peters , Andrea W.M. Evers","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105506","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105506","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Expectancies and avoidance behavior are key factors influencing pain perception and its maintenance, but few empirical studies have investigated their relationship. Thus, two separate studies with a two-fold primary aim were conducted. The first part of the primary aim was to investigate whether negative expectancies lead to hyperalgesia. The second part of the primary aim was to investigate whether negative expectancies lead to more costly pain avoidance. The studies included a total of 116 and 98 participants respectively. In both studies, participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. Pain expectancies were induced verbally and via conditioning, and avoidance was measured through a novel pain avoidance task in which participants could choose between avoiding a more painful stimulus by playing a difficult game or enduring a more painful stimulus by playing an easy game. In Study 2, adjustments were made to the conditioning procedure and the novel pain avoidance task based on the results of Study 1. Both studies demonstrated that negative expectancies led to hyperalgesia, indicating that the negative expectancy paradigm produces robust effects. However, negative expectancies did not lead to more pain avoidance suggesting that other factors may be at play in avoiding more pain. Further studies are needed to fully unravel the interplay between expectancies and avoidance in pain.</div></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><div>This article found that negative expectancies can lead to hyperalgesia but not necessarily to more pain avoidance behavior in individuals without chronic pain. Findings from this article support the ample studies indicating that expectancies provide a strong target for pain treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 105506"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144700305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Transitions in psychosocial phenotypes in older adults with pain","authors":"Ashleigh Holmes PhD, MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC , Yu-Ping Chang PhD, RN, FGSA, FIAAN, FAAN","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105503","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105503","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although pain is prevalent in older adults, there are gaps in the existing literature regarding multivariable psychosocial contributors to pain outcomes. Identifying psychosocial phenotypes, or patterns of psychological and social characteristics, can help predict outcomes; however, further longitudinal analysis is required. This study explores the stability of psychosocial phenotypes longitudinally in older adults with pain, along with the predictors of transitions in phenotypes over time. Using 2018–2022 annual National Health and Aging Trends Study data, 813 older adults consistently reported pain. Psychosocial variables used in the analysis included depression, anxiety, affect, self-realization, resilience, self-efficacy, and social participation. Latent transition analysis was used to identify optimal psychosocial phenotypes and proportions of participants transitioning to different phenotypes longitudinally. Baseline variables (pain characteristics, physical, cognitive) associated with longitudinal transitions in psychosocial phenotypes were determined via logistic regression. Latent transition analysis resulted in three psychosocial phenotypes (Adverse, Favorable, and Intermediate) based on scores on psychosocial variables. Longitudinally, phenotype membership remained generally stable with a trend towards increased psychosocial adversity. Baseline cognition and physical performance were predictors of transitions to less adverse phenotypes longitudinally. In contrast, baseline sleep, physical performance, pain limitations, and self-rating of general health were predictors of transitions to more adverse phenotypes. There is stability in psychosocial well-being longitudinally in older adults with pain and a remarkable ability to rebound despite major stressors. Future research should explore interventions that promote transitions to more favorable psychosocial phenotypes, develop point-of-care clinical insights, and advance precision pain medicine.</div></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><div>This study analyzed psychosocial phenotypes in older adults with chronic pain using latent transition analysis. It identified stable phenotypes (Adverse, Intermediate, Favorable) and tracked changes over time. Findings highlight the impact of cognitive and physical health on psychosocial well-being, supporting personalized interventions and advancing precision pain medicine in older adults.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 105503"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144660968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2025-07-16DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105505
Amber K Brooks, Janki Patel
{"title":"Advancing equity in pain care through education, strategic partnerships, and advocacy.","authors":"Amber K Brooks, Janki Patel","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105505","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105505","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article highlights three key pathways to advancing equitable pain care: education, strategic partnerships, and advocacy. Education remains foundational, emphasizing both provider training in cultural competency and bidirectional patient education to improve pain management outcomes. Strategic partnerships between the private sector, academia, and the community are needed to advance pain care and research in an increasingly challenging sociopolitical climate. Moreover, community-based participatory research (CBPR) and patient advisory boards ensure that research remains patient-centered and impactful. Finally, advocacy is crucial in mitigating legislative and policy shifts that threaten equitable pain care. While institutional constraints may limit public advocacy efforts, individual researchers and clinicians can engage policymakers, promote equitable funding structures, and advocate for high-quality pain care. By integrating action research principles with community-driven solutions, the pain research community can move beyond identifying disparities to actively implementing strategies that improve outcomes for marginalized populations, ensuring that pain care remains inclusive, responsive, and effective amidst ongoing challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":"105505"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144668982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of PainPub Date : 2025-07-14DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105504
Aleksandra M. Herman , Carolyn Berryman , Tasha R. Stanton
{"title":"Heightened protective decision-making related to physical, but not cognitive, effort in individuals with fibromyalgia","authors":"Aleksandra M. Herman , Carolyn Berryman , Tasha R. Stanton","doi":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105504","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105504","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition involving widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. Evidence-based interventions for fibromyalgia, such as education and exercise, often require prolonged, cognitive and/or physical effort, involving immediate costs (effort) for delayed benefits (improved pain/function). Initiation of, and adherence to, these interventions is often difficult, which may reflect pain-related alterations in an individual’s attitudes towards effortful and delayed rewards. Here we explored whether individuals with fibromyalgia differed from age- and sex-matched pain-free controls in such attitudes. In cross-sectional Study 1, individuals with fibromyalgia (N=19) and controls (N=19) completed tasks offering real rewards for performing actual physical or cognitive effort or enduring real delays. Despite individualizing task difficulty to each participant’s unique capacity, those with fibromyalgia required higher incentives to engage in the physical effort task (treadmill walking), especially at higher effort intensities (OR=1.077, 95%CI [1.003, 1.156]), but showed no differences in the cognitive effort task, indicating no general motivation deficit but rather a shift in attitudes toward physical exertion. Additionally, participants with fibromyalgia showed a greater willingness to wait for rewards (OR=0.726, 95%CI [0.533, 0.990]), particularly at lower reward levels, suggesting an increased motivation driven by rewards. Study 2, conducted online (N=43 fibromyalgia, N=139 controls), replicated the findings regarding physical effort (t=3.36, 95%CI [0.08, 0.29]), reinforcing that fibromyalgia does not involve a broad motivational deficits. Instead, we found specific changes in physical effort discounting and indications of heightened sensitivity to rewards in delay discounting. These insights may help inform tailored intervention strategies for individuals with fibromyalgia.</div></div><div><h3>Perspective</h3><div>This article identifies altered attitudes toward physical effort and delayed rewards in individuals with fibromyalgia. These findings suggest that difficulties with treatment adherence may stem from over-protective physical effort-related decision-making rather than low motivation, offering a potential target for personalized education and intervention strategies in clinical care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51095,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 105504"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144633589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}