Objectives: The goal of this study was to identify central sensitization–related symptom severity subgroups in a large multicountry sample composed of patients with chronic pain and pain-free individuals using the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI).Methods: A large, pooled international (N = 8 countries) sample of chronic pain patients plus healthy subjects (total N = 2,620) was randomly divided into two subsamples for cross-validation purposes. First, a hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was performed using CSI item-level data as clustering variables (test sample; N = 1,312). Second, a latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to confirm the optimal number of CSI clusters (validation sample; N = 1,308). Finally, to promote implementation in real-world clinical practice, we built a free online Central Sensitization Inventory Symptom Severity Calculator.Results: In both HCA (N = 1,219 valid cases) and LPA (N = 1,245 valid cases) analyses, a three-cluster and three-profile solution, respectively, emerged as the most statistically optimal and clinically meaningful. Clusters were labeled as follows: (i) Low Level of CS-Related Symptom Severity, (ii) Medium Level of CS-Related Symptom Severity, and (iii) High Level of CS-Related Symptom Severity.Conclusions: Our results indicated that a three-cluster solution clearly captured the heterogeneity of the CSI data. The calculator might provide an efficient way of classifying subjects into the cluster groups. Future studies should analyze the extent to which the CSI cluster classification correlates with other patient-reported and objective signs and symptoms of CS in patients with chronic pain, their associations with clinical outcomes, health-related costs, biomarkers, (etc.), and responsiveness to treatment.

The Fear Avoidance Components Scale (FACS) is a new patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaire designed to comprehensively evaluate fear avoidance (FA) beliefs and attitudes in persons with painful medical conditions. The original English version has demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties, including concurrent and predictive validity. Two factors have been identified: 1. general fear avoidance; and 2. types of activities that are avoided. The FACS was first translated into Serbian, and then psychometrically validated. A cohort of 322 chronic musculoskeletal pain subjects completed the FACS-Serb and additional FA-related patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures. Their FACS-Serb scores were then compared to a cohort of 68 acute pain subjects. Test-retest reliability (ICC2,1 = 0.928) and internal consistency for both Factors (Cronbach α 0.904 and 0,880 respectively) were very good. An acceptable fit was found with a confirmatory factor analysis of the 2-factor model found with the original English version of the FACS. Strong associations were found among FACS-Serb scores and other PRO measures of pain catastrophizing, depressive/anxiety symptoms, perceived disability, and pain intensity (p<0.001 for all analyses). FACS-Serb total scores, separate Factor scores, and subjective pain ratings were significantly higher in the chronic vs. acute pain cohorts (p<0.001 for all analyses). The FACS-Serb demonstrated strong psychometric properties, including strong reliability and internal consistency, criterion validity (through associations with other FA-related PRO measures), and discriminant validity (through comparisons with a separate acute pain cohort). The FACS-Serb appears to be a potentially useful pain-related assessment tool.

Reaction time is of great importance in life. In both sports and video games, movements of participants are conditioned by different visual, acoustic and somatosensory signals. The aim of this research was to determine whether reaction time is influenced by regular physical activity and playing video games in adolescents. The study included 41 female and 26 male students, aged 10–14 years. Questionnaires about habits related to regular physical activity and playing video games were given to the examinees. Afterwards, the reaction time was determined for visual stimuli, via a computer program. The obtained results show that there is a statistically significant difference in the value of the reaction time of children who are regularly engaged in physical activity relative to those who play video games ((0.327 ± 0.081) s vs. (0.403 ± 0.137) s, p = 0.013), while there is no statistically significant difference in reaction time between children who equally participate in physical activity and video games ((0.386 ± 0.134) s) compared to those who regularly practice physical activity (p = 0.156), and those who only play video games (p = 0.610). Physical activity can decrease reaction time in children, but further studies are needed to elucidate the impact of regular physical activity and gaming on the developing adolescent brain.

Objective: The aim of this study was to correlate degree of depression, somatization, and chronic pain in asymptomatic women with clinical findings, using Research Diagnostic Criteria/Temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD). Methods: A total of 200 female participants, ages 18–65, filled out a standard RDC/TMD axis II form for the assessment of chronic pain, disability, depression, and non-specific physical symptoms and underwent clinical examination of the temporomandibular joint. Correlation of clinical findings (axis I) and axis II assessment was performed using Spearman’s correlation test, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: There was a significant correlation between depression scores (p < 0.04), chronic pain (p < 0.001), and non-specific physical symptoms without questions about pain (p = 0.008). Discussion: The highest scores on the Graded Chronic Pain Scale were observed in patients with arthralgia, while patients with myofascial pain scored higher on depression and somatization tests.