Search

Helicobacter pylori gastritis is an infection frequently observed around the world. In our research, the effect of Helicobacter pylori positivity on depression and somatosensory amplification was investigated. The research included a total of 112 patients with dyspeptic complaints, 52 Helicobacter pylori positive and 60 Helicobacter pylori negative, and a healthy control group of 54 cases without any complaints. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale. There was no effect of Helicobacter pylori positivity on depression levels (p=0.116), while Helicobacter pylori positivity had a significant effect on somatosensory amplification (F=6.794; p=0.010; η2=0.40). There were significant effects of dyspeptic complaints on depression levels (F=6.695; p=0.011; η2=0.039) and somatosensory amplification (F=7.554; p=0.007; η2=0.044). It was identified that somatosensory amplification, sex and family history were each statistically significant explanatory variables for depression (p=0.001 β2=0.255; p=0.038 β2=0.150; p=0.002 β2=0.230). There was a 0.269 increase in depression for each 1-unit increase in somatosensory amplification, the female sex increased depression by 2.463 units and positive family history increased it by 4.949 units. Helicobacter pylori positivity was not found to be a significant explanatory variable for depression (p=0.412). While Helicobacter pylori positivity did not have an effect on depression, it was found to be effective in somatosensory amplification. The presence of dyspeptic complaints was effective on both depression and somatosensory amplification. Somatosensory amplification was one of the factors predicting depression in patients with dyspeptic complaints. Somatosensory amplification is an important factor in patients with Helicobacter pylori positivity and dyspeptic complaints. Mental diseases should not be ignored during the monitoring and treatment of this patient group. [Med-Science 2023; 12(4.000): 1088-93]

Helicobacter pylori gastritis is an infection frequently observed around the world. In our research, the effect of Helicobacter pylori positivity on depression and somatosensory amplification was investigated. The research included a total of 112 patients with dyspeptic complaints, 52 Helicobacter pylori positive and 60 Helicobacter pylori negative, and a healthy control group of 54 cases without any complaints. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale. There was no effect of Helicobacter pylori positivity on depression levels (p=0.116), while Helicobacter pylori positivity had a significant effect on somatosensory amplification (F=6.794; p=0.010; η²=0.40). There were significant effects of dyspeptic complaints on depression levels (F=6.695; p=0.011; η²=0.039) and somatosensory amplification (F=7.554; p=0.007; η²=0.044). It was identified that somatosensory amplification, sex and family history were each statistically significant explanatory variables for depression (p=0.001 β²=0.255; p=0.038 β²=0.150; p=0.002 β²=0.230). There was a 0.269 increase in depression for each 1-unit increase in somatosensory amplification, the female sex increased depression by 2.463 units and positive family history increased it by 4.949 units. Helicobacter pylori positivity was not found to be a significant explanatory variable for depression (p=0.412). While Helicobacter pylori positivity did not have an effect on depression, it was found to be effective in somatosensory amplification. The presence of dyspeptic complaints was effective on both depression and somatosensory amplification. Somatosensory amplification was one of the factors predicting depression in patients with dyspeptic complaints. Somatosensory amplification is an important factor in patients with Helicobacter pylori positivity and dyspeptic complaints. Mental diseases should not be ignored during the monitoring and treatment of this patient group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific review is devoted to the actual problem of personality-psychological features of patients with somatoform disorders (SFD). It is based on the analysis of 91 publications on this topic (42 in Russian and 49 in English) that have been published over the past 10 years. The search for publications was carried out in the RSCI and Medline bibliographic databases. The purpose of the review was to consider the main directions of the studies of personality-psychological factors for the SFD formation which has been developing over the past decade, and to highlight those of these factors that are currently the most generally recognized. The review considers the following directions of research in this area: studies of alexithymia, studies of somatosensory amplification, studies of the patients’ character features, studies of cognitive processes in SFD, studies of psychological defenses and coping strategies, studies in the framework of attachment theory, studies of socio-psychological factors of SFD development, integrative concepts of personality predisposition to SFD. As a result, a high level of alexithymia and personality anxiety, rigidity of cognitive processes, general inferiority of psychological defenses and coping strategies, and a high socio-stress load was highlighted as the most generally recognized personality-psychological factors of the SFD formation. Factors that are sufficiently recognized, but still need further study, are also the somatosensory amplification, the frequent use of reactive formation as a psychological defense and avoidant behavior as a coping strategy, the pattern of insecure attachment. The conclusion notes the need to continue research in this area and proposes possible further directions, in particular, the identification of causal relationships between already established personality-psychological predictors of SFD, as well as the study of their interactions with factors of a different nature (genetic, morphological, psychopathological).

To investigate the association of the frequency of oral behaviours with psychological (anxiety, depression) and psychosomatic factors (somatosensory amplification) as well as with pain presence (Temporomandibular disorders-pain (TMDp) patients and control (CTR) participants) and pain intensity (no_low pain intensity (nLPI)/high pain intensity (HPI)). Fifty-four TMDp patients (48 females and 6 males; 29.13 ± 10.46 years) and 46 controls (29 females and 17 males; 28.54 ± 9.71 years) were administered Oral Behaviours Checklist (OBC), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression and Somatosensory Amplification Scale. Data were analysed with respect to the presence of TMD pain and to pain intensity. Mann–Whitney test and Spearman's rank correlation were used for analyses. No significant differences in examined variables between TMDp patients and CTR individuals were found. The frequency of oral behaviors (OBC total score and sleep‐related oral behaviours) as well as anxiety, depression and somatosensory amplification scores were higher in HPI group when compared to nLPI group (p <.05). In univariate correlations, oral behaviours were positively correlated with somatosensory amplification (p =.001), anxiety (p <.05), depression (p <.05), female sex (p <.05) and pain intensity (p <.05) but not with pain presence. Multiple linear regression models showed that predictors for the higher frequency of oral behaviours were anxiety and female sex. Oral behaviours were associated with pain intensity but not with pain presence and were primarily influenced by anxiety and female sex, suggesting that therapeutic approach should consider both, reducing pain intensity and management of the impact of psychological factors. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04694274. Registered on 01/04/2021 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine differences in the following somatic symptoms: affective state (i.e., health concerns, anxiety, and positive and negative affect), somatosensory amplification, spirituality in Japan and Indonesia, and associations among all variables from each culture. Previous studies and a potential bio-psycho-spiritual model has identified the association of each variable in the development of somatic symptoms. Moreover, they demonstrated that individuals who describe themselves as more religious and spiritual report better physical and mental health. A total of 469 and 437 university students from Japan and Indonesia, respectively, completed the questionnaires for assessing somatic symptoms, health concerns, trait anxiety, positive and negative affect, somatosensory amplification, and spiritual belief. This study found significant differences in health concerns, positive and negative affect, state anxiety, and spiritual belief. Moreover, the difference in somatosensory amplification was negligible. There is a shared association in both cultures among somatic symptoms, affective state, subjective body perception, and spirituality. Health concerns and trait anxiety moderated somatosensory amplification in the development of somatic symptoms. However, the role of spirituality belief in somatic symptoms was observed in the Japanese and Indonesian cultures in relation to positive affect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine differences in the following somatic symptoms: affective state (i.e., health concerns, anxiety, and positive and negative affect), somatosensory amplification, spirituality in Japan and Indonesia, and associations among all variables from each culture. Previous studies and a potential bio-psycho-spiritual model has identified the association of each variable in the development of somatic symptoms. Moreover, they demonstrated that individuals who describe themselves as more religious and spiritual report better physical and mental health. A total of 469 and 437 university students from Japan and Indonesia, respectively, completed the questionnaires for assessing somatic symptoms, health concerns, trait anxiety, positive and negative affect, somatosensory amplification, and spiritual belief. This study found significant differences in health concerns, positive and negative affect, state anxiety, and spiritual belief. Moreover, the difference in somatosensory amplification was negligible. There is a shared association in both cultures among somatic symptoms, affective state, subjective body perception, and spirituality. Health concerns and trait anxiety moderated somatosensory amplification in the development of somatic symptoms. However, the role of spirituality belief in somatic symptoms was observed in the Japanese and Indonesian cultures in relation to positive affect.

Chronic pain is a debilitating health problem affecting 20 million Americans annually. Most patients with chronic pain report negative impacts on daily function and quality of life, which can result in devastating emotional and financial stress. Although the causes of chronic pain remain elusive, there is increasing interest in sensitivity to everyday sensory stimuli as it relates to chronic pain, potentially serving as an indirect marker of altered central nervous system sensory processing. However, sensitivity to multiple sensory inputs, eg, bright lights, certain fabrics, loud noises, etc, is described using multiple terminologies. The lack of a common vocabulary makes it difficult to find and summarize related discoveries, potentially inhibiting scientific progress. Thus, the purpose of this scoping review was to identify and characterize the terminology used in publications assessing some form of multisensory sensitivity as it relates to pain (eg, a pain cohort or pain sensitivity). Our review of 6 databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO+, and Cochrane) comprehensively cataloged peer-reviewed studies published through March 2023 in this domain. Of 12,841 possible studies identified, 92 met all inclusion criteria, with over 80% being published in the last decade. A wide range of terminology has been used for this construct, likely in part a result of the many different professional disciplines represented. These results provide valuable insights for future development of a standardized vocabulary and serve as a resource to aid future investigators of multisensory sensitivity and pain in their study design., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. This study was funded in part by an Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates (ICRU) Fellowship (HD) from the Office of Undergraduate Research at the University of Iowa. The results of this study do not reflect the perspectives or imply endorsement by the ICRU.Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The International Association for the Study of Pain.)

This study aims to evaluate the effects of somatosensorial amplification, kinesiofobia, health anxiety and depression on hospital discharge durations after knee arthroplasty. 193 patients with total knee arthroplasty were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups due to discharge durations. Group 1 included patients who were discharged in 1 to 4 days; Group 2 included patients who were discharged in 5 to 7 days. Functional outcome was measured with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). For psychiatric evalution; a Sociodemographic form, Somatosensory Amplification Scale, Health Anxiety Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia were used. There wasn't any significant difference in terms of WOMAC scores between Group 1 and 2 postoperatively. (Pain; p=0.666, Stiffness; p=0.349, Functionality; p= 0.145). There was a significant difference in terms of Health Anxiety Inventory and Somatosensorial Amplification scores between Group 1 and 2 (p=0.006; p=0.031). In correlation analysis Somatosensorial Amplification score was positively correlated with hospital discharge duration. There was a significant difference in terms of Tampa kinesiophobia scores between Group 1 and 2 (p<0.001). In correlation analysis there was a positive correlation between Tampa kinesiaphobia score and hospital discharge durations (r: 0.618; p: 0.000). Multiple regression analysis indicated that Tampa Scale of Kinesisophobia was the major predictive factor for hospital discharge durations. Health anxiety, Somatosensory amplification and mostly Kinesiophobia were related with longer hospitalization periods due to worse functional outcomes after total knee arthroplasty. Maladaptive psychological strategies about false bodily sensations lead a worse outcome for knee arthroplasty patients. Therapeutic programs aiming false cognitive factors would result with improved functional recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: While studies mainly provide positive evidence for the efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy (ICBT) for various persistent somatic symptoms, it remains largely unclear for whom these interventions work or not. This exploratory analysis aimed to identify moderators for the outcome between ICBT for somatic symptom distres and a waitlist control group (WL) in a vulnerable target group of emerging adults.Methods: Based on data from a randomized controlled trial on 156 university students with varying degrees of somatic symptom distress who were allocated to either an eight-week, therapist guided ICBT (iSOMA) or to the WL, we examined pretreatment demographic characteristics, health-related variables (e.g., somatic symptom duration), mental distress (e.g., depression, anxiety) and cognitive-emotional factors (emotional reactivity, somatosensory amplification) as candidate moderators of the outcome, somatic symptom distress (assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-15) from pre- to posttreatment.Results: Somatosensory amplification (assessed by the Somatosensory Amplification Scale, SSAS) moderated the outcome in favor of iSOMA (B = -0.17, SE = 0.08, p = 0.031), i.e., higher pretreatment somatosensory amplification was associated with better outcome in the active compared to the control intervention. No significant moderation effects were found among demographic characteristics, health-related variables, or mental distress.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that an internet-delivered CBT for somatic symptom distress should be preferred over no active treatment particularly in individuals with moderate to high levels of somatosensory amplification, which as a next step should be tested against further treatments and in clinical populations.Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00014375). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assumption that hypnotic analgesia produces placebo effects is controversial. The cognitive dimension that can distinguish hypnosis from placebo analgesia has been suggested as hypnotic susceptibility. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of the relationship between patient and therapist, assumed to produce the placebo effect, in the clinical context of hypnotic treatment for pain. Seventy subjects were given hypnosis administered by the therapist in person (Group A) and 37 practiced self-hypnosis (Group B) for 8 weeks. The Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), Stanford hypnotic susceptibility scale type A, Cold pressor test (CPT) and SCL-90 were administered at baseline, and Italian Pain Questionnaire (IPQ) dimensions were used as outcome measures. The SSAS did appear to reflect the efficacy of hypnotic analgesia in all pain variables explored, but only in Group B. An improvement in pain intensity and all IPQ dimensions were found at 8 weeks. In particular, an improvement in the affective dimension of pain, with a medium-high effect size (η2 = .774), was recorded after hypnotic analgesia, with the outcome being better in Group A than in Group B ( p = .001). This outcome was independent of hypnotic susceptibility in both groups. Considering our hypothesis that, given the administration of the same suggestions, the therapist could promote the placebo response, contributing to the improvement in the affective dimension of pain outcome, which exhibited a response to the hypnotic treatment independently of hypnotic susceptibility.