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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]

People experience different levels of anxiety associated with the 2019 Coronavirus 19, which may affect their lives. The present study aimed to investigate the role of health anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, and somatosensory amplification in predicting of students' COVID-19 anxiety. The research design was descriptive and correlational. The statistical population of the study included students of Guilan University in 2020. By using available sampling method, through online calling, 200 students participated in the study. Data were collected from the Covid-19 Anxiety Scale (Wheaton et al), Short-term health Anxiety Measurement (Salkovskis et al), Anxiety Sensitivity Index (Taylor et al), and somatosensory amplification Scale (Barsky et al). The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation tests and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that health anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, and somatosensory amplification were positively and significantly correlated with COVID-19 anxiety. Regression results showed that these variables significantly predicted 55% of the new coronavirus anxiety. It seems that the high anxiety level of COVID-19 in students, can enhance their anxiety and sensitivity about health state and they would exaggerate physical and emotional symptoms. Thus, the University's psychological and Counseling Services must take steps to reduce the anxiety of COVID-19 and increase students' awareness.

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]

Somatosensory amplification (SA) has been described as an important feature of somatoform disorders, and an "amplifying somatic style" has been reported as a negative connotation of body perception. As widespread pain (WSP) in fibromyalgia (FM) is due to a central sensitization (CS) rather than organic alterations, there has been discussion as to whether FM is equivalent to or distinct from somatization disorder (SD). Assuming SD and FM are two distinct entities, an increase in somatic amplification should be expected only in subjects who have SD, regardless of the type of pain they experience. Purpose of the study was to explore the magnitude of SA in FM, and whether this depends on the association with SD. FM (n=159) other forms of chronic pain (OCP, n=582), psychiatric (Psy, n=53) and healthy (H, n=55) subjects were investigated using the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), Illness Behavior Questionnaire, (IBQ), Italian Pain Questionnaire (IPQ), and Cold Pressor Test (CPT) in a retrospective observational study. FM subjects displayed higher SSAS scores than the other groups. High SSAS score was associated with FM (OR=8.39; 95%CI: 5.43–12.46) but not OCP. Although FM has the highest prevalence of SD (x2=14.07; p=.007), high SSAS scores were associated with SD in OCP but not in FM. Unlike in OCP, in FM high SSAS scores were independent of the presence of SD. From a biopsychosocial perspective, SSAS may be a factor associated with the onset of FM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A systematic review of structural brain alterations in somatoform disorders (SD) as per DSM-IV or DSM-5 criteria. • The neuroanatomical correlates of SD remain largely under investigated. • Altered brain morphology in frontal, limbic, somatosensory and stress-related regions reported in SD. • The observed structural alterations may affect somatosensory/pain perception, stress responses and cognitive control in SD. • There is a need for future studies with better-characterized samples and standardized MRI approaches. Although there has been an increment in neuroimaging research in somatoform disorders (SD), to date little is known about the neural correlates of these diseases. Therefore, in this systematic, review we aimed at summarizing the existing evidence of structural brain alterations in SD as per DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria. Three electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science) were searched. Only case-control studies using structural neuroimaging were included. Forty-five out of 369 articles fulfilled inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Compared to controls, subjects with SD showed morphological alterations encompassing motor, limbic and somatosensory circuits. Although far from being conclusive, the results suggested that SD are characterized by selective alterations of large-scale brain networks implicated in cognitive control, emotion regulation and processing, stress and somatic-visceral perception. This review highlights the need for further multimodal neuroimaging studies with longitudinal designs, in larger and better-characterized samples, to elucidate the temporal and causal relationship between neuroanatomical changes and SD, which is paramount for informing tailored treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The causes of fear of childbirth and the factors that affect it are not fully explained. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fear of childbirth in pregnant women and anxiety sensitivity and somatosensory amplification. The study included 100 healthy pregnant women who were admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of a tertiary hospital in Turkey at 28-40 weeks of gestation. Sociodemographic Data Form, Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Wijma Expectancy/Experience Scale (W-DEQ) were applied to all cases. The mean age of the pregnant women included in the study was 29.20 ± 6.17 years, and 82% of them had high fear of childbirth. It was determined that factors such as age, education status, occupation, prior pregnancy experience, the number of pregnancies, miscarriage history, and abortion experience had no significant effect on the fear of childbirth. It was observed that there was a weak positive correlation between the fear of childbirth and the anxiety sensitivity and the amplification of somatosensory symptoms. According to the findings of our study, as the fear of childbirth increases, anxiety sensitivity, and somatosensory amplification increase. For this reason, it is crucial to carefully monitor prenatal anxiety, somatosensory amplification and the fear of childbirth of pregnant women with state-related concerns.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Fear of childbirth or what is historically referred to as tokophobia is generally defined as a fear of severe birth and fear of pathological birth. The causes of fear of childbirth are stated as biological reasons, psychological reasons and lack of social support. However, it is not possible to explain the causes of the fear of childbirth in pregnant women and the risk factors affecting them. Similarly, fear of childbirth in individuals with anxiety sensitivity and amplification of somatosensory symptoms has not been adequately investigated.What do the results of this study add? In this study, we aimed to contribute to the related literature by examining the relationship between fear of childbirth in pregnant women and anxiety sensitivity and amplification of somatosensory symptoms. It was observed that there was a weak positive correlation between the fear of childbirth and the sensitivity of anxiety and the amplification of somatosensory symptoms. According to the findings of our study, as the fear of childbirth increases, anxiety sensitivity, and somatosensory amplification increase.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? For this reason, it is crucial to carefully monitor the pregnants who have prenatal anxiety sensitivity, somatosensory amplification, and state-continuous anxiety. Due to insufficient number of studies related to the subject, extensive sample studies on the subject are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Worry and functional somatic symptoms (FSS) are important clinical features of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Although there is literature on the prevalence of worry and FSS in GAD, there is limited data on psychological correlates of worry and somatic symptoms in patients with GAD. Objective: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the relationship of worry and FSS with somatosensory amplification, health anxiety (hypochondriasis), and alexithymia in patients with GAD. Methods: Forty patients with the diagnosis of GAD were assessed with Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Bradford Somatic Inventory (BSI), GAD-7 Scale, somatosensory amplification Scale (SSAS), Whiteley Index (WI), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 Hindi version (TAS-H-20). Results: Worry had significant positive correlation with total scores of BSI, GAD-7 scale, TAS-H-20 subscale 1, SSAS, and WI. Younger age of onset was associated with higher FSS as assessed on BSI. BSI total score had positive correlation with total scores of GAD-7 scale, TAS-H-20 and its subscales, SSAS, WI, and with the severity grades of BSI and GAD. Conclusion: Worry and FSS are associated with somatosensory amplification and hypochondriasis. In addition, somatic symptoms are associated with alexithymia.

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which is a global public health problem continues to affect humans both physically and psychologically all around the world. So, it is important to diagnose and manage the anxiety while fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to separately evaluate state and trait anxiety in the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. In addition, it was aimed to investigate the relation of demographic variable with state anxiety in the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the relationship between trait anxiety and somatosensory amplification with state anxiety.726 participants who responded to online survey between March 30th and April 20th, 2020 were evaluated. All participants answered the survey that covered sociodemographic data and questions specifically about COVID-19 pandemic as well as State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Somatosensory Amplification Scale. Pearson test was used for correlation analysis, ordinal variables were analyzed with Spearman correlation test. State anxiety is higher, if the participant is woman, has an acquaintance with the COVID-19 positivity, has a chronic medical condition and currently receiving or has history of psychiatric treatment. Age, monthly income, trait anxiety level and somatosensory amplification are also factors related to state anxiety. In conclusion, it is considered that those populations may be more vulnerable to the psychological effects of pandemic and they should be closely followed up for longer periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is based on patient history and physical examination, and may require medical imaging. Masticatory muscle palpation is essential to make a diagnosis of TMD. However, the response of masticatory muscles to mechanical pressure stimuli depends on many physical and psychological factors. Objective: This study aimed at determining the impact of somatosensory amplification (SSA)—an estimate of somatic awareness and bodily hypervigilance—on pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) measured at both trigeminal and extra‐trigeminal locations in healthy individuals. Methods: PPTs were measured at the right anterior temporalis and superficial masseter, and the thenar eminence of the right hand in one hundred healhty individuals (69F, 31M), divided in three groups based on their SSA scores: low (N = 32), intermediate (N = 34) and high (N = 34). General linear models were used to test between‐group differences in PPTs including sex as a covariate. The level of significance was set at P <.05. Results: Individuals with high SSA had lower PPTs at the anterior temporalis than individuals with low (P =.006) and intermediate (P =.001) SSA. No significant between‐group differences were found in PPTs measured at the masseter (P =.372). PPTs measured at the thenar eminence were significantly lower in the high than the low SSA group (P =.009). Females had lower PPTs at the masseter than males (P =.021) but not at other muscle locations (all P >.05). Conclusion: Increased somatosensory amplification is associated with decreased pressure pain thresholds at both trigeminal and extra‐trigeminal locations in healthy individuals. SSA could be a potential confounder while diagnosing TMD and evaluating treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study objectives: Positive airway pressure (PAP) noncompliance remains a major barrier in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment. The PAP-NAP, a daytime PAP "test-drive," has been associated with increased PAP use, but risk factors and indications for the procedure remain unspecified. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 139 patients who (1) were diagnosed with OSA (n = 116) or upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) (n = 23); (2) adamantly refused to proceed with either a full-night attended titration or in-home trial of PAP; and (3) elected to proceed with a PAP-NAP instead. Risk factors for PAP rejection (identified on intake) and indications for the PAP-NAP (identified post-diagnostic polysomnography) were confirmed through multiple encounters with sleep center personnel. All patients completed the PAP-NAP, which utilizes an elaborate desensitization program to provide a less challenging introduction and facilitate a gentler adaptation to pressurized air as well as to test advanced PAP modes when subjective or objective expiratory pressure intolerance emerges. Both emotional aversion toward and lack of motivation for PAP therapy were assessed pre- and post-PAP-NAP. PAP use was determined several months post-procedure. Results: At intake, most common risk factors for PAP rejection were depression, insomnia, and claustrophobia; most common indications for PAP-NAP were general reluctance, anxiety, and claustrophobia. Procedure averaged 3+ hours [tech coaching, 83 (± 30) min; napping, 107 (± 57) min]. Ninety-nine percent required advanced PAP. Compared to baseline, emotional aversion (p = 0.0001) and motivation (p = 0.0001) significantly improved for the entire sample of which 86% completed full-night titrations and 78% filled PAP prescriptions. At final follow-up, 71% (n = 98) were users and 29% (n = 41) were non-users. Compared to non-users, users showed significantly greater decreases in emotional aversion (p < 0.001; Z = − 6.11) and greater increases in motivation (p < 0.001; Z = − 8.57). Conclusion: PAP-NAP was associated with a sizeable proportion of highly reluctant patients proceeding to titrations they initially had rejected, and the majority achieved PAP user status. Improvements in emotional aversion and motivation were associated with increased PAP use. Randomized control trials must assess the experiential component at the core of the PAP-NAP procedure and its efficacy in reversing early PAP rejecters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symptoms that are not completely explicable, such as mastalgia, might cause individuals to experience more apprehension regarding health and to visit doctors more frequently. No study has been found in the literature that assessed the level of somatosensory amplification of patients with mastalgia. This study is intended to assess the levels of somatosensory amplification of patients who complain of mastalgia and to compare them to a healthy control group. Forty patients with the diagnosis of non-cyclical mastalgia and 41 voluntary controls were incorporated in the study. All patients participating in the study were assessed using the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The scores of SSAS, HAI, BAI, and BDI for the patient group were higher than those for the control group. Upon a simple regression analysis, the effect of education duration in mastalgia group on HAI was 12.4%, the effect of anxiety level on SSAS was 28%, and that of the depression level on HAI was 10.8%. Patients with mastalgia exhibited higher levels of somatosensory amplification, depression, anxiety, and health anxiety than the control group. The idiopathic symptoms might cause individuals to develop a higher level of somatosensory amplification and to perceive bodily symptoms more severely. Furthermore, such symptoms might further produce anxiety and depressive symptoms due to the higher perception by the individuals with apprehension related to their health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Along with hemodialysis treatment which is a part of daily life in patients with renal insufficiency, patients may become dependent on health professionals and family members, lose economic self-confidence, experience decreases in pastime and social activities resulting in impairments in social relations. These patients may also have loss of bodily functions and distorted body image, increased death anxiety and many other psychiatric symptoms. The aim of the present study was to determine depression-anxiety, somatosensory amplification and somatization levels of patients in dialysis programs due to chronic renal failure. Methods: The study included 78 patients and 60 healthy controls. All participants were evaluated using sociodemographic data form, Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) and Somatization Scale (SS). Results: There was no difference between the patient and control groups for socioeconomic data except for working status and socioeconomic level (p>0.05). In terms of scales used, SASS and SS points were markedly higher in patient group compared to healthy control group (p<0.001 for both scales). Neither anxiety nor depression subscale points of HADS scale was significant between patient and control groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: It has been concluded that evaluation of patients together with mental health and disease doctors would be useful to help patients better, to increase their functionalities, to notice overlooked symptoms and to start treatment for these symptoms in patients with renal failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) is associated with a certain kind of anxiety around coronavirus in healthy population. Coronavirus anxiety can put healthy individuals at a risk of false safety behaviours, which can bring corrosive consequences. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural intervention for health anxiety, somatosensory amplification, and depression among healthy individuals with coronavirus disease anxiety in Iran. This study was conducted in Rasht, Iran, and included 150 college students aged between 18 and 32 years. In accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for illness anxiety disorder and using 8 items of the Short Health Anxiety Inventory, which were adapted to coronavirus disease anxiety, the participants were randomly assigned into experimental group (n = 75) and waitlist control group (n = 75). The cognitive-behavioural intervention was provided for the experimental group participants in 10 90-minute sessions (5-day a week). The intervention was groupbased and included the reduction of hypervigilance, amplification, and false safety-seeking behaviours. The Short Health Anxiety Inventory, Somatosensory Amplification Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory were completed by the participants before and after the intervention. Significant reductions were observed in health anxiety (p < 0.01), somatosensory amplification (p < 0.01), and depression (p < 0.01) for the experimental group. Given the contagious nature of illness anxiety and its negative consequences, it is essential to deal with coronavirus anxiety. Cognitive behavioural therapy is efficacious for coronavirus anxiety by reducing the catastrophic beliefs and false safety behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aim: The aim of this study was to study somatosensory amplification, health anxiety (hypochondriasis), and alexithymia among patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and to evaluate the association of these variables with the severity of GAD. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional design was employed, and patients were recruited from the outpatient clinic of the psychiatry department of a multispecialty tertiary care medical institute in North India. The patients who were clinically diagnosed to have GAD by the two independent qualified psychiatrists were screened with Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview to confirm the diagnosis. Forty patients with GAD meeting the inclusion criteria were assessed with GAD-7 scale, somatosensory amplification scale (SSAS), the Whiteley Index (WI) and Toronto alexithymia scale - 20 Hindi version (TAS-H-20). Results: The mean scores of patients with GAD on SSAS, WI, TAS-H-20, and GAD-7 scale were 25.70 (SD-5.84), 7.75 (SD-3.30), 59.77 (SD- 8.63), and 13.37 (SD- 3.58), respectively. Half of the patients with GAD had significant health anxiety as defined by WI score of >7. Around 40% of GAD patients were alexithymic as defined with TAS-H-20 scores of >60. SSAS, WI, TAS-H-20 had a positive correlation with the severity of GAD as measured with GAD-7 scale. Conclusions: GAD patients have significant somatosensory amplification, health anxiety (hypochondriasis), and alexithymia. Accordingly, there is a need to develop effective psychological interventions focused on these factors in GAD.

Abstract Background Researchers have recently begun to seek cognitive explanations for physical symptoms with no obvious biological cause. Concepts such as somatization, somatosensory amplification, and somatosensory catastrophizing have been invoked to explain these phenomena. Somatosensory amplification occurs when these bodily sensations become stronger and more painful. Somatosensory catastrophizing is the tendency to attribute these bodily sensations to unbearable functional modulation or as signs of serious illness. This causes the sufferer to pay excessive attention to these physical sensations. However, there is no scale for evaluating somatosensory catastrophizing, and there are no standard diagnostic criteria. There were two objectives for this study: to develop a scale for evaluating somatosensory catastrophizing and to investigate relationships between somatosensory amplification, somatosensory catastrophizing, and physical symptoms. Methods In the first part of this study, in which we developed the scale, there were 231 student participants with an average age of 20.1 years. Of these, 57% of the participants were female. In the second part of the study, there were two groups of participants. The first group consisted of 158 non-patient subjects, 56% of whom were female, with an average age of 20.2 years. There were 33 outpatients receiving treatment for somatoform disorders in the second group. The average age of these participants, of whom 67% were female, was 48.8 years. The second part of the study was conducted using standardized self-rating questionnaires to assess somatosensory amplification and catastrophizing. Results We developed a 27-item scale, which we have called the Somatosensory catastrophizing scale (SSCS). The SSCS assesses five key areas, and our analysis confirmed it to be valid and highly reliable. The scale identified that the patient group from the second part of the study scored more highly than the control group for both somatosensory amplification and catastrophizing. Additionally, the results of covariance structure analyses revealed a significant causal relationship of the form “somatosensory amplifcation” via “somatosensory catastrophizing” to “physical symptoms”. This relationship held in both groups of participants. The key difference between the patient and non-patient groups was that somatosensory catastrophizing had a greater impact on the physical symptoms of the participants in the patient group. Conclusions In this study, we developed the SSCS, which enables us to measure somatosensory catastrophizing empirically. We then clarified the relationship between somatosensory amplification, somatosensory catastrophizing, and physical symptoms. In the future, we expect to be able to apply our new understanding to developing intervention techniques to mitigate the physical symptoms caused by somatosensory catastrophizing.

Although nature relatedness is considered a positive characteristic, its relationship to constructs involving worries about the negative effects of artificial environmental factors is also feasible. A questionnaire assessing modern health worries, electrosensitivity, somatosensory amplification, spirituality, and nature relatedness was completed by 510 individuals. Nature relatedness was related to electrosensitivity, modern health worries, and spirituality. In a binary logistic regression analysis, somatosensory amplification, modern health worries, and nature relatedness were associated with electrosensitivity, and nature relatedness moderated the connection between modern health worries and electrosensitivity. In naive representations, "natural" might be associated with health, whereas "modern" and "artificial" evoke negative associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objectives: Oral behaviors are activities, like gum chewing, teeth clenching, and biting of objects, that go beyond normal functioning demands and contribute to the onset of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Somatosensory amplification refers to the tendency to experience somatic sensations as intense, noxious, and disturbing and is related to bodily hypervigilance. Clinical experience suggests that individuals with bodily hypervigilance also present with occlusal hypervigilance and continuously check their occlusion. This study aimed at investigating whether somatosensory amplification and trait anxiety, a characteristic correlated with hypervigilance, are associated with a greater incidence of oral behaviors, and verifying how self-reported facial TMD pain affect this relationship.Materials and methods: The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Somatosensory Amplification Scale, the Oral Behavior Checklist (OBC), and the TMD-Pain Screener Questionnaire were filled out by 255 University students with self-reported facial TMD pain (PAIN group; 47 subjects, 24.8 ± 4.2 years) and without pain (CTR group; 208 subjects, 26.0 ± 4.8 years) using a web survey.Results: Trait anxiety, somatosensory amplification, and OBC scores were greater in the PAIN than CTR group (all p < 0.05). Trait anxiety and somatosensory amplification were positively associated with the frequency of oral behaviors, as measured with the OBC (all p < 0.05). A significant effect of the interaction study group*trait anxiety (p = 0.028) on OBC scores was found.Conclusions: Individuals with greater trait anxiety and somatosensory amplification report more frequent oral behaviors. The relationship between anxiety and oral behaviors is affected by concurrent facial pain.Clinical relevance: Individuals with increased trait anxiety and concurrent facial pain report more frequent oral behaviors than those without pain. Clinicians should evaluate patients' anxiety and somatosensory amplification before starting dental treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has indicated that, reflecting East Asians' holistic attentional style, they are likely to emphasize more somatic symptoms and perceive their internal visceral states less accurately as compared with Westerners. Based on these findings, comparing representative samples of Americans and Japanese participants, this research examined whether somatosensory amplification would vary across cultures. Moreover, by controlling confounding factors, including neuroticism and chronic disorders, the possibility that the association between somatosensory amplification and negative affective states differs across cultures also was tested. The results showed that Japanese exhibit higher somatosensory amplification than do Americans. In both cultures, as neuroticism and the number of chronic disorders increased, negative affective states also increased, leading to higher somatosensory amplification. Whereas negative affective states completely mediated the paths of neuroticism and chronic disorders to somatosensory amplification in the United States, such mediation was partial in Japan. Moreover, the association between somatosensory amplification and negative affective states was weaker in Japanese than in Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Worry and functional somatic symptoms (FSS) are important clinical features of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Although there is literature on the prevalence of worry and FSS in GAD, there is limited data on psychological correlates of worry and somatic symptoms in patients with GAD. Objective: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the relationship of worry and FSS with somatosensory amplification, health anxiety (hypochondriasis), and alexithymia in patients with GAD. Methods: Forty patients with the diagnosis of GAD were assessed with Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Bradford Somatic Inventory (BSI), GAD-7 Scale, somatosensory amplification Scale (SSAS), Whiteley Index (WI), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 Hindi version (TAS-H-20). Results: Worry had significant positive correlation with total scores of BSI, GAD-7 scale, TAS-H-20 subscale 1, SSAS, and WI. Younger age of onset was associated with higher FSS as assessed on BSI. BSI total score had positive correlation with total scores of GAD-7 scale, TAS-H-20 and its subscales, SSAS, WI, and with the severity grades of BSI and GAD. Conclusion: Worry and FSS are associated with somatosensory amplification and hypochondriasis. In addition, somatic symptoms are associated with alexithymia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the self-image distortions and sensitivities of pathological narcissism have been theorized to contribute to somatization, limited empirical research has been devoted to this issue. The present study was developed to test the hypothesis that pathological narcissism contributes to somatic symptoms through increased hypervigiliance to physical sensations. A community sample of 248 adults completed measures of pathological narcissism, somatosensory amplification, somatic symptoms, and depression. Mediation analysis was conducted, controlling for depression, using 99% bootstrapped confidence intervals to examine the indirect effect of pathological narcissism on somatic symptoms via somatosensory amplification. Although pathological narcissism was not directly related to somatic symptoms, a significant indirect effect was observed for pathological narcissism on somatic symptoms via somatosensory amplification. This finding suggests that pathological narcissism contributes to physical hypersensitivity, in turn influencing perceptions of somatic distress. The role of narcissistic dysfunction in somatization indicates the importance of further research and potential clinical consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the frequent co-ocurrence of hypermobile Ehler-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and pathological anxiety, little is known about the psychosocial and health implications of such comorbidity. Our aim was to explore the association between high levels of anxiety and psychosocial (catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, somatosensory amplification, social support and functioning), health (pain, fatigue, BMI, tobacco/alcohol use, depression, diagnosis delay, general health), and sociodemographic factors in people with hEDS. In this cross-sectional study, 80 hEDS patients were divided into two groups according to self-reported anxiety levels: low and high. Psychosocial, sociodemographic and health variables were compared between the groups. Forty-one participants reported a high level of anxiety (51.2%). No differences were found in the sociodemographic variables between high-anxious and low-anxious patients. The percentage of participants with severe fatigue and high depressive symptomatology was significantly higher in the high-anxious group (80.5 vs 56.4; 26.8 vs 12.8%, respectively). High-anxious hEDS patients also showed significantly higher levels of pain catastrophizing, somatosensory amplification as well as a poorer social functioning and general health. Multivariate analyses showed that somatosensory amplification, pain catastrophizing and poor social functioning are variables that increase the probability of belonging to the high-anxious group. Despite limitations, this first study comparing high-anxious versus low-anxious hEDS patients with respect to health aspects, highlight the importance of considering the psychosocial factors (many susceptible to modification), to improve the adjustment to this chronic condition and provide support to those affected through a biopsychosocial approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to study somatosensory amplification, health anxiety (hypochondriasis), and alexithymia among patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and to evaluate the association of these variables with the severity of GAD. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional design was employed, and patients were recruited from the outpatient clinic of the psychiatry department of a multispecialty tertiary care medical institute in North India. The patients who were clinically diagnosed to have GAD by the two independent qualified psychiatrists were screened with Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview to confirm the diagnosis. Forty patients with GAD meeting the inclusion criteria were assessed with GAD-7 scale, somatosensory amplification scale (SSAS), the Whiteley Index (WI) and Toronto alexithymia scale - 20 Hindi version (TAS-H-20). Results: The mean scores of patients with GAD on SSAS, WI, TAS-H-20, and GAD-7 scale were 25.70 (SD-5.84), 7.75 (SD-3.30), 59.77 (SD- 8.63), and 13.37 (SD- 3.58), respectively. Half of the patients with GAD had significant health anxiety as defined by WI score of >7. Around 40% of GAD patients were alexithymic as defined with TAS-H-20 scores of >60. SSAS, WI, TAS-H-20 had a positive correlation with the severity of GAD as measured with GAD-7 scale. Conclusions: GAD patients have significant somatosensory amplification, health anxiety (hypochondriasis), and alexithymia. Accordingly, there is a need to develop effective psychological interventions focused on these factors in GAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Based on a transdiagnostic approach, this study assesses the impact of cognitive and emotional processes (difficulties in emotional regulation, impulsiveness, rumination and somatosensory amplification) on the psychological risk factors of chronic low-back pain. Methods The study was carried out with 256 patients with chronic low-back pain. All the variables were assessed through a booklet of 10 validated questionnaires. Multiple regression analysis and moderation analysis were performed. Results Predictors included in multiple regression models explain 3%–42% (adjusted R 2 ) of the variance in psychological risk factors. Moreover, analyses reveal a significant moderator effect of somatosensory amplification on the link between fear-avoidance beliefs linked to work and pain intensity ( F (3;250) = 12.33; p = .00), of somatosensory amplification and brooding on the link between depression and functional repercussions (FR) on everyday life ( F (3;252) = 13.36; p = .000; F (1;252) = 12.42; p = .00), of the reflection dimension of rumination on the link between the helplessness dimension of catastrophizing and FRs on sociability ( F (3;252) = 37.02; p = .00). There is also a moderation analysis with a significant trend concerning the lack of emotional awareness and the difficulties in controlling impulsive behaviours. Conclusions Our results indicate an important role of some dimensions of difficulties in emotional regulation, somatosensory amplification and rumination in the increase in negative affects and dysfunctional beliefs, and in the links between those psychological risk factors and pain/disability. Implications This study identifies some cognitive and emotional dysregulations substantially involved in work-related chronic pain. This contribute to put in place psychotherapeutic protocols to tackle these deficits and dysregulations in a relevant way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The associations of body awareness (BA) and somatosensory amplification (SSA) with the Big Five personality factors and sensory modalities were investigated in a cross-sectional study. It was expected that both constructs would be related to introversion; and that SSA as opposed to BA would be connected with emotional lability. Perception of pain and bitter taste were expected to be associated with both BA and SSA; whereas heartbeat perception and balancing ability were not. A sample of university students (n = 212) filled out questionnaires assessing BA ( Body Awareness Questionnaire , BAQ), SSA ( Somatosensory Amplification Scale , SSAS) and the Big Five ( Big Five Inventory , BFI), and a subsample pf participants (n = 118) completed the sensory measurements (heart rate detection, balance, perception of pain and bitterness). SSA showed a weak connection with emotional lability and introversion, while BA was associated with openness and conscientiousness. Furthermore, SSA was related to the perception of pain and bitter taste, whereas BA was not related to any interoceptive modality. No correlations among the perceptions of different sensory modalities were found. According to these findings BA and SSA are related but not identical constructs; while interoceptive ability cannot be generalized across modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Side effects consist of drug-specific and non-specific symptoms. Both components are based on bodily sensations that a person perceives after taking a drug and subsequently attributes to the drug. We suggest that somatosensory amplification (SSA) may explain a proportion of inter-individual differences in reports of side effects that cannot be accounted for by drug-specific safety profiles. This hypothesis was investigated in hypertensive patients starting a new pharmacotherapy. Method: This longitudinal study included 50 patients (66 % women, aged 55 ± 14 years) with a diagnosis of primary hypertension. Patients completed the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), started to take their new medication, and recorded side effects on a daily basis for 4 weeks. Results: After controlling for age, gender, number of pills taken, and previous personal and family experiences with medication side effects in the regression analyses, SSAS scores remained a significant predictor of reported side effects over the entire study period (weeks 1 and 2: β = .621, p < .001; weeks 3 and 4: β = .493, p = .003). In a subsample comprising patients taking the four most commonly used drug regimes, SSAS was a significant predictor of side effects, even when controlling for type of medication. Conclusion: In this sample of patients undergoing anti-hypertensive pharmacotherapy, higher SSA scores predicted increased reports of medication side effects. To account for this tendency and to improve compliance with medication regimes, this group may require special education about the nocebo phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]