Towards a better definition of nociplastic pain conditions: a psychological grounded study on fibromyalgia, chronic headache and vulvodynia
Background: This study investigates the psychological underpinnings of chronic pain conditions, specifically fibromyalgia, chronic headache, vulvodynia, and mixed condition (consisting of fibromyalgia in comorbidity with chronic headache and/or vulvodynia), with a focus on nociplastic pain mechanism...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2025.2461434 |
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| author | Martina Mesce Filippo Maria Nimbi Piercarlo Sarzi-Puttini Carlo Lai Federica Galli |
| author_facet | Martina Mesce Filippo Maria Nimbi Piercarlo Sarzi-Puttini Carlo Lai Federica Galli |
| author_sort | Martina Mesce |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: This study investigates the psychological underpinnings of chronic pain conditions, specifically fibromyalgia, chronic headache, vulvodynia, and mixed condition (consisting of fibromyalgia in comorbidity with chronic headache and/or vulvodynia), with a focus on nociplastic pain mechanisms.Objective: The aim of the study is to better understand the psychological functioning of women with different chronic pain conditions to identify and discuss similarities and differences. In particular, we aim to explore any significant differences in the domain of traumatic experiences, in global defensive functioning, and in the domain of alexithymia among the evaluated groups. Further, the 4 groups with chronic pain will be compared with a healthy control group.Methods: A sample of 1006 Italian women diagnosed with chronic pain participated in the study, categorized into four clinical groups and a healthy control group. Measures were assessed using self-report measures, in particular: Traumatic Experiences Checklist, Defense Mechanism Rating Scales, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale.Results: There are significant differences among groups, with mixed conditions exhibiting the highest levels of traumatic experiences, particularly emotional neglect and physical threats. Fibromyalgia and mixed condition groups displayed greater reliance on neurotic defense mechanisms. Additionally, fibromyalgia and mixed condition participants exhibited higher levels of alexithymia, indicating difficulties in emotional processing.Conclusions: These findings underscore the complex interplay between psychological factors and nociplastic pain conditions, emphasizing the importance of personalized psychological interventions in managing nociplastic pain. The study highlights the need for multidisciplinary approaches to nociplastic pain treatment, considering the diverse psychological profiles of affected individuals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b87c6910a5e646a5a99e80023662a2d5 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2000-8066 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
| spelling | doaj-art-b87c6910a5e646a5a99e80023662a2d52025-08-20T03:05:35ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Journal of Psychotraumatology2000-80662025-12-0116110.1080/20008066.2025.2461434Towards a better definition of nociplastic pain conditions: a psychological grounded study on fibromyalgia, chronic headache and vulvodyniaMartina Mesce0Filippo Maria Nimbi1Piercarlo Sarzi-Puttini2Carlo Lai3Federica Galli4Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Rheumatology, IRCCS Galeazzi-Sant'Ambrogio Hospital, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyBackground: This study investigates the psychological underpinnings of chronic pain conditions, specifically fibromyalgia, chronic headache, vulvodynia, and mixed condition (consisting of fibromyalgia in comorbidity with chronic headache and/or vulvodynia), with a focus on nociplastic pain mechanisms.Objective: The aim of the study is to better understand the psychological functioning of women with different chronic pain conditions to identify and discuss similarities and differences. In particular, we aim to explore any significant differences in the domain of traumatic experiences, in global defensive functioning, and in the domain of alexithymia among the evaluated groups. Further, the 4 groups with chronic pain will be compared with a healthy control group.Methods: A sample of 1006 Italian women diagnosed with chronic pain participated in the study, categorized into four clinical groups and a healthy control group. Measures were assessed using self-report measures, in particular: Traumatic Experiences Checklist, Defense Mechanism Rating Scales, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale.Results: There are significant differences among groups, with mixed conditions exhibiting the highest levels of traumatic experiences, particularly emotional neglect and physical threats. Fibromyalgia and mixed condition groups displayed greater reliance on neurotic defense mechanisms. Additionally, fibromyalgia and mixed condition participants exhibited higher levels of alexithymia, indicating difficulties in emotional processing.Conclusions: These findings underscore the complex interplay between psychological factors and nociplastic pain conditions, emphasizing the importance of personalized psychological interventions in managing nociplastic pain. The study highlights the need for multidisciplinary approaches to nociplastic pain treatment, considering the diverse psychological profiles of affected individuals.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2025.2461434Chronic painnociplastic painpsychological factorstraumatic experiencesdefense mechanismsalexithymia |
| spellingShingle | Martina Mesce Filippo Maria Nimbi Piercarlo Sarzi-Puttini Carlo Lai Federica Galli Towards a better definition of nociplastic pain conditions: a psychological grounded study on fibromyalgia, chronic headache and vulvodynia European Journal of Psychotraumatology Chronic pain nociplastic pain psychological factors traumatic experiences defense mechanisms alexithymia |
| title | Towards a better definition of nociplastic pain conditions: a psychological grounded study on fibromyalgia, chronic headache and vulvodynia |
| title_full | Towards a better definition of nociplastic pain conditions: a psychological grounded study on fibromyalgia, chronic headache and vulvodynia |
| title_fullStr | Towards a better definition of nociplastic pain conditions: a psychological grounded study on fibromyalgia, chronic headache and vulvodynia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Towards a better definition of nociplastic pain conditions: a psychological grounded study on fibromyalgia, chronic headache and vulvodynia |
| title_short | Towards a better definition of nociplastic pain conditions: a psychological grounded study on fibromyalgia, chronic headache and vulvodynia |
| title_sort | towards a better definition of nociplastic pain conditions a psychological grounded study on fibromyalgia chronic headache and vulvodynia |
| topic | Chronic pain nociplastic pain psychological factors traumatic experiences defense mechanisms alexithymia |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2025.2461434 |
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