Pain ReportsPub Date : 2025-05-27eCollection Date: 2025-08-01DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001288
Seung Min Shin, Brandon Itson-Zoske, Hao Xu, Hongfei Xiang, Fan Fan, Quinn H Hogan, Hongwei Yu
{"title":"Sensory neuron-specific block of multifaceted sodium channels mitigates neuropathic pain behaviors of osteoarthritis.","authors":"Seung Min Shin, Brandon Itson-Zoske, Hao Xu, Hongfei Xiang, Fan Fan, Quinn H Hogan, Hongwei Yu","doi":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001288","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001288","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Multiple voltage-gated sodium channels (Na<sub>V</sub>s) in the peripheral sensory neurons (PSNs) regulate action potentials and their dysfunction contributes to the pain pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). A combined block of multiple Na<sub>V</sub> subtypes selectively in the PSNs may, therefore, represent an effective analgesic approach in OA painful neuropathy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To test this hypothesis, we generated recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding a potent Na<sub>V</sub> inhibitory peptide aptamer, termed Na<sub>V</sub>iPA1, that has a multipronged feature of inhibiting tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na<sub>V</sub>1.7, 1.6, 1.1, and 1.3, characterized in our recent report. Adeno-associated virus-encoded Na<sub>V</sub>iPA1 was delivered into the ipsilateral lumbar 4/5 dorsal root ganglia of rats 2 weeks after induction of knee monoiodoacetate-OA (MIA-OA) and evoked and spontaneous sensory behaviors were followed in 6 weeks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Expression of Na<sub>V</sub>iPA1 selective in the PSNs produced significant and comparable mitigations of evoked and spontaneous pain behavior and reversal of weight-bearing asymmetry in both male and female MIA-OA rats. Whole-cell current-clamp recordings showed that AAV-mediated Na<sub>V</sub>iPA1 expression normalized action potential firing of the PSNs from MIA animals, suggesting that Na<sub>V</sub>iPA1 attenuated pain behavior by, at least in part, reversing neuronal hyperexcitability.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Together, these results support that (1) Na<sub>V</sub>s in peripheral sensory pathways contribute to MIA-OA pain pathogenesis and (2) Na<sub>V</sub>iPA1 is a promising analgesic lead that, combined with AAV-targeted delivery to pathological sensory ganglia, may be a viable peripherally selective PSN-targeting strategy in mitigating chronic MIA-OA pain behaviors.</p>","PeriodicalId":52189,"journal":{"name":"Pain Reports","volume":"10 4","pages":"e1288"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12119052/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144182329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain ReportsPub Date : 2025-05-20eCollection Date: 2025-06-01DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001276
William Laughey, Katy Vincent, Samyuktha Iyer, Maria M Cobo, Rebeccah Slater
{"title":"Pain in women: bridging the gender pain gap.","authors":"William Laughey, Katy Vincent, Samyuktha Iyer, Maria M Cobo, Rebeccah Slater","doi":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001276","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001276","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bridging the gender pain gap requires collaborative efforts that address female-specific biological and psychosocial dimensions of pain through evidence-based, compassionate and empathy-driven approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":52189,"journal":{"name":"Pain Reports","volume":"10 3","pages":"e1276"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12094398/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144121472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain ReportsPub Date : 2025-04-03eCollection Date: 2025-06-01DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001262
Riley Kahan, Arthur Woznowski-Vu, Janet L Huebner, Carl F Pieper, Adam P Goode, Steven Z George, Timothy H Wideman, Virginia Byers Kraus, Cathleen Colón-Emeric, Corey B Simon
{"title":"Psychological and immunological associations with movement-evoked low back pain among older adults.","authors":"Riley Kahan, Arthur Woznowski-Vu, Janet L Huebner, Carl F Pieper, Adam P Goode, Steven Z George, Timothy H Wideman, Virginia Byers Kraus, Cathleen Colón-Emeric, Corey B Simon","doi":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001262","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001262","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Low back pain (LBP) is a leading global factor in disability among older adults. Movement-evoked pain (MEP) is potentially an important mediator in the disability pathway but is predominantly tested in the laboratory.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>We aimed to explore MEP in the natural environment (\"daily\" MEP) and its correlation with laboratory MEP, along with potential psychological and immunological influences.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Thirty-five older adults with persistent LBP attended a single laboratory session. Pain catastrophizing, pain-related fear of movement, and pain self-efficacy were measured by questionnaire. Resting inflammation and inflammatory reactivity to painful movement were evaluated using serum interleukin-6, tissue necrosis factor alpha, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Laboratory MEP was defined by aggregate pain intensity with a movement provocation test. Daily MEP was measured for the next 7 days using ecological momentary assessment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Laboratory MEP was strongly correlated with daily MEP (<i>ρ</i> = 0.780, <i>P</i> = <0.001). C-reactive protein (Hedges [<i>g</i>] = 0.266) and interleukin-6 (g = 0.433) demonstrated small to moderate reactivity to painful movement. After controlling for age and multimorbidity, pain catastrophizing and pain self-efficacy explained 24% to 37% variance in laboratory and daily MEP. Resting inflammatory markers were not associated with MEP; however, C-reactive protein reactivity to painful movement explained 19% to 25% variance in laboratory and daily MEP.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Preliminary indication is that laboratory and daily MEP may be proxy measures for one another, and that MEP is influenced by psychological and immunological factors. Future studies will aim to (1) validate findings among older adults with persistent LBP and (2) for clinical phenotyping, clarify complex relationships among psychological and immunological factors with disability pathway components like MEP.</p>","PeriodicalId":52189,"journal":{"name":"Pain Reports","volume":"10 3","pages":"e1262"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11970892/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143796938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain ReportsPub Date : 2025-03-21eCollection Date: 2025-04-01DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001249
Nima Taheri, Luis Becker, Lena Fleig, Karolina Kolodziejczak, Lea Cordes, Bernhard U Hoehl, Ulrike Grittner, Lukas Mödl, Hendrik Schmidt, Matthias Pumberger
{"title":"Fear-avoidance beliefs are associated with changes of back shape and function.","authors":"Nima Taheri, Luis Becker, Lena Fleig, Karolina Kolodziejczak, Lea Cordes, Bernhard U Hoehl, Ulrike Grittner, Lukas Mödl, Hendrik Schmidt, Matthias Pumberger","doi":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001249","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001249","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Psychosocial function in people with chronic low back pain (cLBP) is often impaired, indicating poor well-being. Fear-avoidance beliefs (FAB) are common concomitants of cLBP. Fear-avoidance beliefs are gaining attention as a potential prognostic factor for chronification and resulting disability in cLBP. This article aims to examine the associations of back function with FAB.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study presents data from a cohort study (DRKS00027907). In the present cross-sectional analyses, we included 914 participants (480 nonchronic LBP [ncLBP], 227 cLBP, 207 asymptomatic). Fear-avoidance beliefs were assessed using the fear-avoidance belief questionnaire (FABQ). The association between the FAB and clinical measures (Ott and Schober test, the sit-to-stand test [STS], and the finger-floor distance [FFD]) were analyzed. Back shape and function were also measured using a noninvasive device. The association between FABQ scores and clinical measures was assessed using age, body mass index, sex, and pain intensity-adjusted multiple linear regression models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Associations between FAB and both clinical (Ott, Schober, STS, FFD) and noninvasive device measures were small. All relevant clinical measures were attenuated in individuals with elevated FAB.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>We were able to demonstrate the association of both back shape and function in both clinical tests and noninvasive device measurements with self-reported fear-avoidance beliefs. However, the effect sizes were small. This may be attributed to the different assessment methods (objective vs self-report), resulting in reduced common method variance. In addition to the FAB, there may be other factors (eg, altered neuronal pathways; actual avoidance behavior such as reduced physical activity) that contribute to functional impairment.</p>","PeriodicalId":52189,"journal":{"name":"Pain Reports","volume":"10 2","pages":"e1249"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932623/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143702163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain ReportsPub Date : 2025-02-21eCollection Date: 2025-04-01DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001237
Taylor D Yeater, Yuya Kawarai, Seunghwan Lee, Kumar G Belani, David S Beebe, Dmitriy Sheyn, Manuel R Pinto, Laura S Stone
{"title":"Investigating the epigenetic landscape of symptomatic disk degeneration: a case study.","authors":"Taylor D Yeater, Yuya Kawarai, Seunghwan Lee, Kumar G Belani, David S Beebe, Dmitriy Sheyn, Manuel R Pinto, Laura S Stone","doi":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001237","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001237","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study investigates the epigenetic landscape underlying painful intervertebral disk (IVD) degeneration in a single subject with a history of low back pain (LBP). Intervertebral disk degeneration is associated with LBP in some individuals; however, there is often a discrepancy between degeneration and pain. We hypothesize that DNA methylation, an epigenetic mechanism previously linked to discogenic LBP, is dysregulated in symptomatic vs asymptomatic IVDs.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Identify differentially methylated genes and pathways in symptomatic vs asymptomatic IVDs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Three lumbar IVDs with similar degeneration severity were tested prior to surgery by discography to identify symptomatic IVDs. Methylation analysis was performed on ∼935,000 cytosine guanine dinucleotide sites on nucleus pulposus DNA. We explored differential methylation and pathway enrichment on cytosine guanine dinucleotide sites located within the promoter regions of genes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Two IVDs (L3/L4 and L4/L5) evoked pain ratings of 10/10 and 8/10, one IVD (L5/S1) scored 0/10. DNA methylation differed between symptomatic and asymptomatic IVDs. Several identified genes have roles in extracellular matrix remodeling. Other differentially methylated genes were related to immunomodulation and ion channel function. Finally, several long noncoding RNA genes were identified, encouraging further exploration into these regulatory molecules. Enriched pathways were associated with immune response, hormonal regulation, nervous system development, and musculoskeletal development and remodeling.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case study provides a promising list of candidate genes for therapeutic development for discogenic LBP and suggests a role for DNA methylation in the development of symptomatic vs asymptomatic IVD degeneration, calling for further research to validate and expand these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":52189,"journal":{"name":"Pain Reports","volume":"10 2","pages":"e1237"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11850048/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain ReportsPub Date : 2025-01-17eCollection Date: 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001232
Amirreza Naderi, Yukako Taketani, Shudan Wang, Francesca Kahale, Ann Yung, Pier Luigi Surico, Yihe Chen, Reza Dana
{"title":"Topical neurokinin-1 receptor antagonism ameliorates ocular pain and prevents corneal nerve degeneration in an animal model of dry eye disease.","authors":"Amirreza Naderi, Yukako Taketani, Shudan Wang, Francesca Kahale, Ann Yung, Pier Luigi Surico, Yihe Chen, Reza Dana","doi":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001232","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001232","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Ocular pain is a common complaint to eye care providers, associated with a variety of ocular conditions, among which dry eye disease (DED) is affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite being highly prevalent, ocular pain is not managed adequately in the clinic.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic potential of neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) antagonism in DED.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Dry eye disease was induced in mice, and an NK1R antagonist L-733,060 was topically administered twice daily throughout the study for 14 days. Hyperalgesia and allodynia were assessed using the eye-wiping test and palpebral ratio measurements. Corneas were collected for measuring substance P (SP) levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and imaging nerves by immunostaining. Trigeminal ganglions (TG) were collected to determine SP levels by ELISA and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1), transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M (melastatin) member 8, c-Fos, and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) mRNA levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Treating DED mice with L-733,060 resulted in a significant reduction in eye wipe behavior, a significant increase in palpebral ratio, and significant decreases in SP levels in both the cornea and TG compared with the vehicle-treated group. In addition, NK1R antagonist treatment significantly suppressed the upregulation of TRPV1, ATF3, and c-Fos and prevented corneal nerve loss.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonism effectively reduced ocular nociception, decreased neuronal activation, and preserved corneal nerves in mice with DED. These findings suggest that blockade of SP signaling pathway is a promising therapeutic strategy for managing DED pain.</p>","PeriodicalId":52189,"journal":{"name":"Pain Reports","volume":"10 1","pages":"e1232"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11745868/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143015948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain ReportsPub Date : 2024-12-24eCollection Date: 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001225
Angela M Mickle, Jared J Tanner, Udell Holmes, Ahmed Rashid, Olivier Barolette, Brittany Addison, Nicola Sambuco, Cynthia Garvan, Song Lai, Christoph Seubert, Siegfried Schmidt, Roland Staud, Jeffrey C Edberg, David Redden, Burel R Goodin, Catherine C Price, Roger B Fillingim, Kimberly T Sibille
{"title":"Applying evidence-based cross-disciplinary concepts helps to explain the heterogeneity in pain, function, and biological measures in individuals with knee pain with/at risk of osteoarthritis.","authors":"Angela M Mickle, Jared J Tanner, Udell Holmes, Ahmed Rashid, Olivier Barolette, Brittany Addison, Nicola Sambuco, Cynthia Garvan, Song Lai, Christoph Seubert, Siegfried Schmidt, Roland Staud, Jeffrey C Edberg, David Redden, Burel R Goodin, Catherine C Price, Roger B Fillingim, Kimberly T Sibille","doi":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001225","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001225","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Factors contributing to individual differences in knee osteoarthritis remain elusive. Dispositional traits and socioeconomic status are independent predictors of mental and physical health, although significant variability remains. Dispositional traits serve as the biological interface for life experiences.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>We investigate group differences based on dispositional traits and poverty status, specific to (1) pain intensity and functional limitations and (2) biological measures, a clinical composite and brain age.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adults aged 45 to 85 years with knee pain associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain provided information on demographics, socioeconomic and psychosocial factors, pain, and physical function. Kellgren-Lawrence scores were determined from knee radiographs, the clinical composite from fasting blood draws, and brain age from MRI data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>One hundred seventy-three individuals participated in the study. Of those, 117 had protective dispositional traits (81 above poverty/36 in poverty), and 56 had vulnerable dispositional traits (24 above poverty/32 in poverty). With sex, study site, Kellgren-Lawrence score, and age/or image quality as covariates, significant group differences were observed across clinical pain (<i>P</i> < 0.001), functional limitations (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.001), and brain age (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.002) measures. Although not significant, the clinical composite measure aligned with the other outcome measures and demonstrated the hormesis inverted U pattern.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Groups based on dispositional traits and socioeconomic status explain differing clinical outcomes. Consistent with the allostatic load and hormesis inverted U models, one group was in an adaptive health status, 2 groups were showing signs of developing load, and the fourth group showing signs of overload, at risk of worse health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":52189,"journal":{"name":"Pain Reports","volume":"10 1","pages":"e1225"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11671054/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142900116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain ReportsPub Date : 2024-12-24eCollection Date: 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001219
Leah Russell Flaherty, Kendra H Oliver
{"title":"A positive spin: large language models can help directors evaluate programs through their patients' own words.","authors":"Leah Russell Flaherty, Kendra H Oliver","doi":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001219","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001219","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Interpretation and utilization of qualitative feedback from participants has immense value for program evaluation. Reliance on only quantitative data runs the risk of losing the lived patient experience, forcing their outcomes to fit into our predefined objectives.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Using large language models (LLMs), program directors may begin to employ rich, qualitative feedback expediently.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study provides an example of the feasibility of evaluating patient responses (n = 82) to Empowered Relief, a skill-based pain education class using LLMs. We utilized a dual-method analytical approach, with both LLM-assisted and supported manual thematic review.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The thematic analysis of qualitative data using ChatGPT yielded 7 major themes: (1) Use of Specific Audiofile; (2) Mindset; (3) Technique; (4) Community and Space; (5) Knowledge; (6) Tools and Approaches; and (7) Self-awareness.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Findings from the LLM-derived analysis provided rich and unexpected information, valuable to the program and the field of pain psychology by employing the set of patients' own words to guide program evaluation. Program directors may benefit from evaluating treatment outcomes on a broader scale such as this rather than focusing solely on improvements in disability. These insights would only be uncovered with open-ended data, and although potentially more insights could emerge with the help of a qualitative research team, ChatGPT offered an ergonomic solution.</p>","PeriodicalId":52189,"journal":{"name":"Pain Reports","volume":"10 1","pages":"e1219"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11671080/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142900113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain ReportsPub Date : 2024-12-09eCollection Date: 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001204
Rachel V Aaron, David A Preece, Lauren C Heathcote, Stephen T Wegener, Claudia M Campbell, Chung Jung Mun
{"title":"Assessing alexithymia in chronic pain: psychometric properties of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 and Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire.","authors":"Rachel V Aaron, David A Preece, Lauren C Heathcote, Stephen T Wegener, Claudia M Campbell, Chung Jung Mun","doi":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001204","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PR9.0000000000001204","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Alexithymia is elevated in chronic pain and relates to poor pain-related outcomes. However, despite concerns from other clinical populations, the psychometric properties of alexithymia measures have not been rigorously established in chronic pain.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examined the psychometric properties of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 Item (TAS-20) and the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ) in adults with chronic pain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An online sample of adults with chronic pain across the United States (N = 1453) completed the TAS-20, PAQ, and related questionnaires at baseline, 3-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both measures showed good temporal stability, convergent validity (with emotion regulation scores), divergent validity (with depression and anxiety scores), and criterion validity. Some concerns were raised about the TAS-20: the original 3-factor structure showed a poor model fit; the Externally Oriented Thinking subscale of the TAS-20 had poor factor loadings and unacceptable internal consistency; and, we identified several TAS-20 items that may slightly inflate the predictive validity of the TAS-20 on pain-related outcomes. The original 5-factor structure of the PAQ showed a good fit; each PAQ subscale had good factor loadings and excellent internal consistency.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Both the TAS-20 and PAQ had psychometric strengths. Our data raised some concern for the use of TAS-20 subscales; the PAQ may be a psychometrically stronger option, particularly for investigators interested in alexithymia subscale analysis in people with chronic pain.</p>","PeriodicalId":52189,"journal":{"name":"Pain Reports","volume":"10 1","pages":"e1204"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11631001/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142814884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}