BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (Sep 2024)

Can electroencephalography (EEG) identify the different dimensions of pain in fibromyalgia? A pilot study

  • Luam Diniz,
  • Maíra Carneiro,
  • André Fonseca,
  • Lívia Shirahige,
  • Rodrigo Brito,
  • Lorena Melo,
  • Daniel Melo,
  • Marília Austregésilo,
  • Daniele Piscitelli,
  • Katia Monte-Silva

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07824-0
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Background Electroencephalography (EEG) is a promising tool for identifying the physiological biomarkers of fibromyalgia (FM). Evidence suggests differences in power band and density between individuals with FM and healthy controls. EEG changes appear to be associated with pain intensity; however, their relationship with the quality of pain has not been examined. We aimed to investigate whether abnormal EEG in the frontal and central points of the 10–20 EEG system in individuals with FM is associated with pain’s sensory-discriminative and affective-motivational dimensions. The association between EEG and the two dimensions of emotional disorders (depression and anxiety) was also investigated. Methods In this cross-sectional pilot study, pain experience (pain rating index [PRI]) and two dimensions of emotional disorders (depression and anxiety) were assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire (PRI-sensory and PRI-affective) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), respectively. In quantitative EEG analysis, the relative spectral power of each frequency band (delta, theta, alpha, and beta) was identified in the frontal and central points during rest. Results A negative correlation was found between the relative spectral power for the delta bands in the frontal (r= -0.656; p = 0.028) and central points (r= -0.624; p = 0.040) and the PRI-affective scores. A positive correlation was found between the alpha bands in the frontal (r = 0.642; p = 0.033) and central points (r = 0.642; p = 0.033) and the PRI-affective scores. A negative correlation between the delta bands in the central points and the anxiety subscale of the HADS (r = -0.648; p = 0.031) was detected. Conclusion The affective-motivational dimension of pain and mood disorders may be related to abnormal patterns of electrical activity in patients with FM. Trial registration Retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05962658).

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