Search Results (85)

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and psychological symptoms. Patients often present distinct personality traits and psychopathological patterns associated with symptom severity. Objective: To examine psychopathological profiles in FM patients based on functional, physical–somatic, and emotional impairment domains, as well as on cumulative disease severity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 70 women clinically diagnosed with FM at a specialized Fibromyalgia Unit. Psychological functioning was assessed using the Personality Assessment Inventory, and disease impact was measured with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Hierarchical cluster analyses were used to classify participants into mild and severe clusters across FIQ domains, and psychological profiles were compared. Results: Patients with severe functional impairment had more affective dysregulation (76.43 vs. 70.20, p < 0.01) and somatic complaints (85.57 vs. 79.76, p < 0.05) than those with mild impairment. The severe–physical cluster showed greater mood instability, somatization, and suicidal ideation (60.94 vs. 53.61, p < 0.05). The severe–emotional cluster had higher rates of major depression (85.71% vs. 64.28%) and persistent depressive disorder (76.19% vs. 70.61%, p < 0.05). Severe showed more emotional instability and somatization, distinguishing it from mild. Greater cumulative severity intensified depressive and somatic disorders. Discussion: Findings support FM’s biopsychosocial profile, where emotional distress may relate to psychological and physical symptoms, reinforcing the need for personalized, multidisciplinary care and comprehensive assessment. Full article

Biomonitoring often yields normal results in patients who report environmental sensitivities, such as in multiple chemical sensitivity. This study examined whether biomonitoring results influence disease attribution and perception. Patients over 18 presenting for the first time to the University Environmental Medicine Outpatient Clinic in Freiburg with suspected complaints linked to heavy metals, wood preservatives, pesticides, solvents, or mold spores were included. Illness perceptions were assessed before and after biomonitoring using the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R). Of 358 patients, 51 met inclusion criteria; 3 showed relevant findings, and 15 did not attribute their symptoms to environmental causes at baseline. The remaining 33 patients were analyzed. After receiving a normal biomonitoring result, only seven patients (21%) altered their illness attribution. These individuals also reported milder perceived consequences, less personal control over the illness, and showed lower levels of somatization and compulsiveness than those who maintained their original attribution. Most patients remained convinced of an environmental cause despite unremarkable findings. This suggests that a substantial subset of patients is strongly attached to an environmental explanation for their symptoms, with stable attribution linked to higher psychological symptom burden and a belief in personal control over the illness. Full article

Background: Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), including Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD), are two frequently encountered but diagnostically complex conditions. While PCS is conceptualized as a sequela of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), FND/FCD encompasses symptoms incompatible with recognized neurological disease, often arising in the absence of structural brain damage. Yet, both conditions exhibit considerable clinical overlap—particularly in the domains of cognitive dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, and symptom persistence despite negative investigations. Objective: This review critically examines the shared and divergent features of PCS and FND/FCD. We explore their respective epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, and risk factors—including personality traits and trauma exposure—as well as emerging insights from neuroimaging and biomarkers. We propose the “Functional Overlay Model” as a clinical tool for navigating diagnostic ambiguity in patients with persistent post-injury symptoms. Results: PCS and FND/FCD frequently share features such as subjective cognitive complaints, fatigue, anxiety, and heightened somatic vigilance. High neuroticism, maladaptive coping, prior psychiatric history, and trauma exposure emerge as common risk factors. Neuroimaging studies show persistent network dysfunction in both PCS and FND, with overlapping disruption in fronto-limbic and default mode systems. The Functional Overlay Model helps to identify cases where functional symptomatology coexists with or replaces an initial organic insult—particularly in patients with incongruent symptoms and normal objective testing. Conclusions: PCS and FND/FCD should be conceptualized along a continuum of brain dysfunction, shaped by injury, psychology, and contextual factors. Early recognition of functional overlays and stratified psychological interventions may improve outcomes for patients with persistent, medically unexplained symptoms after head trauma. This review introduces the Functional Overlay Model as a novel framework to enhance diagnostic clarity and therapeutic planning in patients presenting with persistent post-injury symptoms. Full article

In Colombia and Mexico, an increase in emotional, behavioral, and eating problems in adolescents has been documented after the pandemic. The objective was to characterize the relationship between internalizing and externalizing behaviors in adolescents with eating disorders in Colombia and Mexico according to the adolescents’ self-report and the parents’ report. In Colombia, 17 adolescents between 12 and 18 years old (M = 15.4; SD = 1.8) and one of their parents (n = 17); in Mexico, 8 adolescents between 12 and 17 years old (M = 14.6; SD = 1.6) and one of their parents (n = 8) were evaluated. The parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and the adolescents completed the self-report (YSR) and the EAT-26. The analyses showed a statistically significant correlation between eating problems and anxiety/depression of the YSR (r = 0.39; p = 0.031). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the CBCL scores for externalizing problems, somatic complaints, and rule-breaking behavior; all scores were higher in the Colombian sample. The findings provided partial support for differences between adolescents with eating disorders and parental reports. A higher percentage of clinical levels was reported by adolescents compared to their parents, except for the anxious/depressive and aggressive behavior subscales. Full article

Background: Somatic symptoms of stress are a major concern among the general population, given their severity and overall burden. Objectives: This pilot randomized controlled study (RCT) aimed to assess the effectiveness of frequency-specific microcurrent (FSM) therapy alone (experimental group 1 [EG1]) and combined with a relaxation intervention (experimental group 2 [EG2]), compared to a relaxation intervention alone (active control group [ACG]) and combined with placebo (passive control group [PCG]), to determine the need for a future definitive RCT. Methods: Participants with clinically significant levels of stress were recruited and assessed at three moments (i.e., baseline assessment [T0], at the end of six sessions [T1], and at the end of 12 sessions [T2]) on somatic symptoms and satisfaction with life (primary outcomes), perceived stress, emotional distress, emotional states, and emotion regulation (secondary outcomes). A total of 85 participants completed T0, of whom 58 were randomized into four groups. Results: Using linear mixed models, differences between groups revealed that the participants receiving FSM therapy reported fewer somatic symptoms and negative emotions than those who received relaxation, at T1. Within-group analysis showed that somatic symptoms and satisfaction with life significantly improved after six or twelve sessions of FSM therapy as well as after relaxation. There were also significant improvements in perceived stress, emotional distress, emotion regulation, and emotional states (negative emotions, self-efficacy, and serenity), after six and/or 12 sessions of FSM therapy or relaxation. Conclusions: The results suggest that FSM may be a promising treatment for addressing somatic complaints and negative emotional states, supporting the implementation of a definitive RCT. Full article

Introduction: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are chronic respiratory illnesses frequently accompanied by anxiety and depression. These psychological symptoms often go undetected due to their overlap with somatic complaints. According to the regulatory theory of temperament (RTT), biologically based temperament traits may influence emotional responses to chronic illness. This study examined whether RTT-defined temperament traits predict depression and anxiety severity in patients with asthma and/or COPD. Material and Methods: The study included 210 adult patients with asthma and/or COPD recruited from a university hospital and pulmonology clinics. Individuals with a prior history of mental illness were excluded. Participants completed three validated questionnaires: the Formal Characteristics of Behavior–Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Additional demographic and clinical data were collected. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the predictive value of six temperament traits for depression, state anxiety, and trait anxiety. A significance threshold of α = 0.05 was used in all statistical tests. Results: Temperament structure significantly predicted all three mental health outcomes: depression (R² = 0.37), state anxiety (R² = 0.45), and trait anxiety (R² = 0.35). Briskness negatively correlated with all outcomes, while emotional reactivity showed a positive correlation. No significant associations were found for the remaining four traits. Socioeconomic and lifestyle factors were not significant predictors. Conclusions: Temperament traits, particularly briskness and emotional reactivity, significantly influence depression and anxiety severity in asthma and COPD. Temperament assessment may serve as a low-cost, telemedicine-compatible tool to identify at-risk patients and support integrated, personalized care. Full article

Although there is a growing body of research focused on the personality characteristics of victims and offenders, only a few studies have investigated both groups through robust and comprehensive measures of personality. The present study aimed to compare the PAI and MMPI-2-RF profiles between victims and offenders and investigate the influence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on their results. Samples of 107 female victims (age: M = 42.71; SD = 11.25) and 154 male inmates (age: M = 36.51; SD = 12.72) were compared, and statistically significant differences were found on several PAI and MMPI-2-RF scales. While the victims tended to score higher on scales such as Anxiety, Stress, Somatic Complaints and Thought Dysfunction, the inmates scored higher on scales related to Antisocial Traits, Drug Problems, and Aggressiveness-Revised, among others. Both groups reported a large number of ACEs, and linear regression analyses revealed that ACEs predicted PAI and MMPI-2-RF scores. A discriminant analysis also found that specific ACEs accurately discriminate psychological characteristics between victim and offender groups. In conclusion, the PAI and the MMPI-2-RF provided valuable information on the characteristics of victims and inmates, contributing to a better understanding of the nature of victimization and crime perpetration. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alexithymia is a construct involving deficits in the cognitive processing of emotions. It is often regarded as an important risk factor for a variety of psychopathologies, but there is ongoing uncertainty about whether it might act as a stable trait, or if instead it is just a state reaction to distress. Our aim was to examine absolute and relative stability of alexithymia over a period of 7 months. Methods: Our sample included 73 general community adults who, over three time points, completed the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire-Short Form (PAQ-S) and a battery of self-report questionnaires assessing several key mental health outcomes (i.e., anxiety and depression symptoms, somatic complaints, well-being). Results: Our results showed strong absolute stability for PAQ-S scores, with no significant differences in alexithymia levels between the three time points (p > 0.05, η² = 0.01, ω² = 0.00), whereas there were differences in the scores of other mental health outcomes. We also demonstrated good relative stability of alexithymia, with its scores being independent of changes in the other health outcomes. Conclusions: Our findings therefore support the capacity for alexithymia to act as a stable trait. As such, our results help to further uncover the nature of alexithymia and support its status as a risk factor for poor affective outcomes. Full article

Studies have consistently shown that gender-diverse youth experience higher rates of internalizing disorders and self-harm behaviors (SH) compared to their cisgender peers. However, there is limited research on how body investment and emotion regulation influence these symptoms, especially in relation to the age of gender dysphoria (GD) presentation. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between the timing of GD presentation (early vs. late) and psychological distress in adolescents seeking gender affirmation (GA), specifically focusing on internalizing symptoms, emotion regulation, and body investment. The study also investigated how SH during the year preceding the request for gender affirmation might have impacted these factors. Methods: On a total of 80 adolescents (mean age: 14.88 years) at their first request for GA, participants were divided into two groups: early-presentation GD (EP-GD; mean age: 14.93 years) and late-presentation GD (LP-GD; mean age: 14.83 years). Among the sample, 60% exhibited SH. Internalizing symptoms, emotion regulation, and body investment were assessed using the Youth Self-Report (YSR), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and the Body Investment Scale (BIS). Results: Results revealed that LP-GD adolescents had significantly higher emotion dysregulation (ED), particularly in the Strategies domain of the DERS (p = 0.040), and more social problems in the YSR (p = 0.047) compared to EP-GD ones. SH were associated with higher internalizing symptoms, including anxiety, withdrawal, and somatic complaints (p < 0.03), as well as increased body dissatisfaction, particularly in the BIS Care and Protection dimensions (p = 0.044; p = 0.034). Conclusions: These findings supported the hypothesis that LP-GD adolescents and youths with a history of SH showed more pronounced emotion regulation difficulties and internalizing symptoms, further emphasizing the need for early intervention programs targeting both GD and co-occurring mental health problems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lifestyle is a significant, common, and easily modifiable factor capable of increasing or reducing the risk of acquiring many diseases. Currently, there is a research gap as too little scientific attention has been focused on exploring the relationship between mental health and nutritional status in various populations. Moreover, the association between body composition and somatization has not been fully disclosed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the associations of body composition with the symptomatology of somatization in an environmentally vulnerable sample of young adults. Methods: A single cross-sectional study included young non-clinical Lithuanian students (n = 1223) aged 21.7 ± 3.9. The body adiposity status of the study participants was estimated using both the body mass index (BMI) and the Body Adiposity Estimator (CUN-BAE) method. Fat-free mass was evaluated via the adjusted fat-free mass index equation (FFMI_adj). The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15) was applied to assess the severity of the perceived symptoms of a somatic symptom disorder (SSD). Results: The CUN-BAE was considered to be a better predictor of adiposity than the BMI because 14.7% of females and 6.2% of males were interpreted as obese using the CUN-BAE, while the BMI equation identified participants as having a normal body weight. The highest rates of somatization were found in 18.6% of the cohort. Young adults with higher amounts of body fat mass (β: 0.050, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.013; 0.084, p = 0.007) and lower FFMI are prone to a higher risk for developing somatization (β: −0.429, 95% CI: −0.597; −0.260, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study revealed that body composition is significantly related to multiple somatic complaints throughout a range of measurements. However, in contrast to the CUN-BAE tool, the BMI equation underestimated the relationship between body fat and mental health outcomes in young adults. Even though nutritional status along with targeted physical load, as the mediators, are likely to play a significant role in the maintenance of optimal body composition and mental health outcomes, healthcare providers are recommended to advise individuals to lower their body fat percentage and increase fat-free mass in order to reduce the risk of somatization. Full article

(1) Background: This study examines the association between asymmetrical movements of an assembly line and machining workers and their overall well-being. The primary aim is to quantify the extent to which asymmetrical movements serve as predictors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among these workers and their overall well-being. The study emphasises the predictive relationships between asymmetry metrics and health outcomes. (2) Methods: The study included 86 employees from an automotive manufacturing plant, categorised into machining workers (MWEs) and assembly workers (AWEs). The employment duration spanned from 6 months to 40 years. Inertial motion capture technology was employed alongside the Goldberg 28-item General Health Questionnaire for a retrospective observational analysis and assessment of worker well-being. Movement dynamics were evaluated using a Motion Activity Index (MAI) to measure movement intensity, asymmetry, and quality. (3) Results: The machining group demonstrated nearly double the range of motion (median ROM: 36.6° vs. 25.5°, p = 0.019) and peak angular velocities up to eight times higher (median: 40°/s vs. 5°/s) in lumbar and thoracic rotations compared to the assembly group. Significant differences in ROM and movement speeds were observed (p < 0.001). The MAI showed higher dynamic and symmetrical movements in the machining group (36.6% vs. 25.5%, p = 0.019). No significant mental health issues were identified, aside from complaints related to somatic symptoms. (4) Conclusions: This study highlights significant occupational risks due to movement asymmetry in industrial settings, revealing substantial differences in joint angular displacements, velocities, and accelerations between machining and assembly workers. The findings emphasise the importance of targeted ergonomic interventions to enhance worker well-being and advocate for preventive health measures in occupational environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sports-related concussions are a main cause of cognitive dysfunction and somatic complaints, particularly in youth. While the majority of concussion symptoms resolve within one week, cognitive effects may persist. In this study, we sought to study changes to cognition within this acute time frame. Methods: In this current study, we use an established swine model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to study the effects of single and repeated head rotations on resting-state electroencephalography (rs-EEG) in awake piglets in the acute (within 7 days) time period after injury. We studied both healthy and experimental groups to (1) establish healthy reference ranges (RRs; N = 23) for one-minute rs-EEG in awake piglets, (2) compare the effects of single (N = 12) and repeated head rotations (N = 13) on rs-EEG, and (3) examine the acute time course (pre-injury and days 1, 4, and 7 post-injury) in animals administered single and repeated head rotations. EEG data were Fourier transformed, and total (1–30 Hz) and relative power in the alpha (8–12 Hz), beta (16.5–25 Hz), delta (1–4 Hz), and theta (4–7.5 Hz) bands were analyzed. Results: Total power and relative alpha, beta, delta, and theta power were consistent measures across days in healthy animals. We found a significant and transient increase in relative alpha power after repeated injury on day 1 in all regions and a rise above the healthy RR in the frontal and left temporal regions. Conclusions: Future studies will expand the study duration to investigate and inform clinical prognoses from acute measurements of rs-EEG. Full article

Background/Objectives: Personalized and self-initiated dietary adjustments have been shown to alleviate mental and somatic complaints. Here, we investigated the potential role of gut microbiome alterations underlying these effects. Methods: For this purpose, participants (n = 185) underwent a four-week self-initiated dietary intervention and filled out weekly questionnaires on their dietary intake, somatic and mental symptoms, and physical activity. Results: Overall, the participants lost weight, had alleviated mental and somatic complaints, reduced their total caloric and percentual carbohydrate intake, and ate less processed, party-type, and traditional Dutch food items, but ate more Pescatarian type food items, while keeping their fiber intake unaltered. Baseline and endpoint gut microbiota analyses using 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed an overall increase in Gemmiger formicilis and reductions in Peptostreptococcaceae and Ruminococcus bromii over the four-week dietary intervention. While these bacterial alterations were considered to be beneficial for the host, they were not individually correlated with alterations in, or endpoint levels of, somatic and/or mental complaints. Instead, individual increases in Ruminococcus bicirculans (a well-known utilizer of plant cell wall polysaccharides) were strongly correlated with reductions in mental complaints, even though overall R. bicirculans remained unaltered over the course of the four-week self-initiated dierary intervention. Conclusions: Our results suggest that overall altered versus individually correlated microbiota abundances and their relations with host health characteristics over the course of a self-chosen dietary intervention may represent different levels of regulation, which remain to be further untangled. Full article

Objective: Although medically unexplained body complaints occur relatively frequently in adolescents, the causes are little-researched. This study examines the influence of cultural and family-related factors on somatic complaints. Methods and Measures: In a cross-cultural and cross-sectional study of 2415 adolescents from eight countries (Argentina, France, Germany, Greece, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, and Turkey), the associations of family variables with body complaints were tested and the cultural impact analyzed. Body complaints were assessed via self-reporting with a translated version of the body complaints scale of the Youth Self Report (YSR). In addition, Perceived Maternal/Paternal Behavior was assessed, as well as cultural dimensions of the eight counties. Results: Overall, females reported higher rates of body complaints than boys did. An additional negative impact of parental psychological control and anxious rearing was found that generalized across cultures, with a particularly strong impact on girls. Girls in stepparent families and boys in single-parent families reported more body complaints. Finally, body complaints were associated with Hofstede’s cultural factors in both genders, like individualism vs. collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity vs. femininity. Conclusion: These findings are particularly important for primary care providers, as they stress the relevance of taking into account family and cultural factors in body complaints which affect boys and girls differently, to provide adequate care. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and menopausal symptoms in women during the menopausal period. Methods: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study. This study was completed with a total of 161 women who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected face-to-face using the Personnel Information Form, Menopause Symptom Assessment Scale, and Coronavirus 19 Phobia Scale. Results: There is a slightly positive relationship between the social subscale of the COVID-19 fear scale and the somatic subscale of the menopause symptoms scale. There is a slightly positive relationship between the economic subscale of the COVID-19 scale and the psychological subscale of the menopausal symptoms scale. There is a slightly positive correlation between the total score of the total COVID-19 phobia scale and the somatic and psychological subscales of the menopause symptoms assessment scale. However, there is no significant relationship between the total score of the COVID-19 phobia scale and the total score and urological subscale of the menopause symptoms assessment scale. Conclusions: It has been determined that fear of COVID-19 is slightly positively associated with somatic and psychological complaints in menopausal women. Full article