Somatosensory Amplification Research Articles

The effect of psychopathology on quality of life and disability in patients with fibromyalgia

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between pain, depression, anxiety, somatic amplification and alexithymia in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), and on quality of life and disability. As a secondary goal, the predictors of disability were evaluated. Methods: Participants were 112 female patients aged 18 and over, applied to the outpatient clinic of University of Health Sciences Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital Medical Ecology and Hydroclimatology department and diagnosed with FMS according to ACR 2016 Revised Fibromyalgia Diagnosis Criteria. The Sociodemographic Data Form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and Health Survey Questionnaire Short Form (SF-36) were applied to each participant. All data were analyzed with correlation and linear regression. Results: Increased pain intensity, depression, anxiety, somatic amplification, "difficulty identifying feeling" and "difficulty describing feelings" dimensions of alexithymia were found related to lower quality of life and increased disability. Depression, somatic amplification, and pain severity were defined as the predictors of disability in FMS. Conclusions: Psychiatric examination of FMS patients especially in terms of depression, anxiety, alexithymia and somatic amplification as well as their physical complaints can be beneficial to minimize disability and increase the quality of life. To our best knowledge, this is the first study to show somatic amplification as a predictor of disability in FMS patients. Further studies will be helpful to understand this relationship.

Effects of psychological predictors on hospital discharge duration after total knee arthroplasty

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.

Persistent SOMAtic symptoms ACROSS diseases — from risk factors to modification: scientific framework and overarching protocol of the interdisciplinary SOMACROSS research unit (RU 5211)

IntroductionPersistent somatic symptoms (PSS) are highly prevalent in all areas of medicine; they are disabling for patients and costly for society. The subjective symptom burden often correlates poorly with the...

Functional somatic symptoms and their predictors in patients with major depressive disorder and fibromyalgia syndrome

Despite being different medical conditions, functional somatic symptoms (FSSs) are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Higher levels of depression, anxiety, somatosensory amplification, hypochondriacal worry and alexithymia may be related to the severity of somatization in patients with MDD and FMS. We aimed to investigate the typology and severity of FSSs and the association between FSSs and these psychiatric symptoms in patients with MDD and FMS. 56 MDD, 33 FMS, 21 CoMF (Comorbidity of MDD and FMS) patients, and 50 healthy participants were included in the study, respectively. Diagnosis of MDD and FMS was established according to DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Text), and ACR (American College of Rheumatology) 2010 diagnostic criteria. All participants were evaluated with self-report questionnaires including Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), Whiteley Index-7 (WI-7), The Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) somatization subscale and Bradford Somatic Inventory-44 (BSI-44). The severity of somatization was statistically significantly highest in the CoMF group, and similar in the FMS and MDD groups, and lowest in the control group according to the BSI-44 and SCL-90-R results. The typology of FSSs was quite similar in patients with MDD and FMS, and weakness, tiredness and neck pain were the most common FSSs in both groups. Independent predictors of FSSs were age, the severity of anxiety and alexithymia in the MDD group, however, it was only the severity of anxiety in the FMS group. Our results show that the typology and severity of FSSs are similar in MDD and FMS patients. Moreover, somatization appears to be more associated with anxiety in patients with MDD and FMS.

The Adaptation, Validity and Reliability Study of Turkish Metacognitive Beliefs about Health Anxiety Questionnaire (MCQ-HA).

The aim of the present study was to adapt the Metacognitive Beliefs about Health Anxiety Questionnaire (MCQ-HA) to Turkish, and to evaluate its psychometric properties. The study consisted of 631 participants, 146 of whom were diagnosed with a physical illness, while 485 of whom did not have any physical illness. As similar to its original form, factor analysis results confirmed a three-factor structure in samples with and without physical illness, as well as in the total sample. Results of composite reliability, itemtotal correlation and test-retest analyses revealed acceptable reliability coefficients for the MCQ-HA. Convergent validity of the MCQHA was supported with significant correlations with health anxiety symptoms and somatosensory amplification both in physical illness and healthy samples. Result of discriminant validity analysis revealed that the MCQ-HA was able to differentiate individuals with high and low levels of health anxiety. Incremental validity examinations showed that the MCQ-HA accounted for additional variance in health anxiety after controlling for neuroticism. The Turkish form of the MCQ-HA has similar psychometric properties to its original form, and a valid and reliable assessment device to be used in studies focusing on health anxiety.

Is female urge associated with incontinence, somatosensory amplification, health anxiety and depression?

Incontinence is a condition that can cause significant problems that can affect patients' quality of social, emotional, psychological and sexual life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of anxiety, health anxiety, depression and somatosensory amplification in patients with urge incontinence. The study group consisted of 58 patients that met the inclusion criteria. The control group consisted of 67 volunteer participants that did not have physical or psychiatric illness and incontinence complaints. All participants filled out sociodemographic data form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) and Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI). The mean duration of incontinence in patients with urge incontinence was 16.55 ± 10.03 months. The mean age in urge incontinence group and the control group were 40.98 ± 9.58 and 39.1 ± 7.89 years, respectively. The mean values of SSAS, HAI and BAI scores in the incontinence group were significantly higher than the control group (P < .001), but there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of BDI scores. The linear regression analysis indicated that HAI and BAI significantly affected SSAS (P = .025 and 0.019, respectively). Anxiety, health anxiety and somatosensory amplification are more common in patients who report urge incontinence. For these reasons, we believe that psychiatric evaluation should be included in the diagnosis and treatment process of patients presenting with urgency and incontinence symptoms.

Hypochondriac Beliefs and Behavior in Patients with Somatoform Disorders: Relationship to Somatic Complaints and Subjective Well-Being

Background: studies of the psychological mechanisms of perpetuation and quality of life in patients with somatoform disorders are important for identifying targets for psychological interventions and defi ning risk groups.Aim: to reveal specifi c hypochondriac beliefs and behavior in patients with somatoform disorders related to severity of somatic complaints and subjective well-being.Patients and methods: 100 patients with somatoform disorders were assessed by using Screening for Somatoform Symptoms, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Cognitions About Body And Health Questionnaire, Scale for the Assessment of Illness Behaviour, and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-18.Results: level of somatoform symptoms is higher in patients with a tendency to catastrophize bodily sensations, autonomic disfunction, mental scanning for bodily symptoms, and disturbances in daily activities due to illness. Regardless of somatoform symptoms’ severity, subjective well-being is lower in patients with belief in bodily weakness and somatosensory amplifi cation, autonomic sensations, expression of symptoms, and changes in daily activities due to illness.Conclusions: the results are discussed in the context of possible psychological and behavioral factors in the perpetuation of somatoform disorders. Patients of older age are at risk of perpetuation of somatoform disorders due to a greater tendency to catastrophize bodily sensations and higher belief in bodily weakness.

Reduced vestibular perception thresholds in persistent postural-perceptual dizziness- a cross-sectional study

BackgroundPersistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is the most common functional vestibular disorder. A multisensory mismatch altered by psychological influences is considered to be an important pathophysiological mechanism. Increased cortical and subcortical excitability may play a role in the pathophysiology of PPPD. We hypothesized that decreased motion perception thresholds reflect one mechanism of the abnormal vestibular responsiveness in this disorder. We investigated the vestibular perception thresholds and the vestibular ocular reflex with a rotatory chair experiment to gain insights in the processing and adaption to vestibular provocation.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study 26 female PPPD patients and 33 healthy female age matched controls (HC) were investigated sitting in a motorized rotary chair shielded regarding visual and acoustic stimuli. The chair was rotated for 20 minutes with slowly increasing velocity to a maximum of 72°/s. We functionally tested motion perception thresholds and vegetative responses to rotation as well as vestibular-ocular reflex thresholds. We additionally investigated several psychological comorbidities (i.e. depression, anxiety, somatosensory amplification) using validated scores. Conventional dizziness scores were obtained to quantify the experienced dizziness and impact on daily life.ResultsPPPD patients showed a significant reduced vestibulo-perceptual threshold (PPPD: 10.9°/s vs. HC: 29.5°/s; p<0.001) with increased motion sensitivity and concomitant vegetative response during and after the chair rotation compared to healthy controls. The extent of increased vestibular sensitivity was in correlation with the duration of the disease (p=0.043). No significant difference was measured regarding nystagmus parameters between both groups.ConclusionPPPD patients showed increased vegetative response as well as decreased vestibulo-perceptual thresholds which are related to disease duration. This is of interest as PPPD might be sustained by increased vestibular excitability leading to motion intolerance and induction of dizziness when exposed to movement.

Elektromyografisi normal karpal tünel sendromlu bireylerde anksiyete, sağlık anksiyetesi ve somatosensoryal amplifikasyon düzeyleri

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of anxiety, health anxiety and somatosensory amplification in patients who presented with the clinical manifestation of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) without electromyography findings.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Patients who applied to the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic, respectively, and were diagnosed with CTS with clinical findings were included in the study. The patients who were determined to have no evidence of conduction loss in EMG were evaluated by using Short Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI-18), SomatoSensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ).&#x0D; Results: A total of 111 participants were included in the study, of whom 56 were patients and 55 were healthy control subjects. There was no significant difference between the patient and control groups in terms of age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). A statistically significant relationship was observed between these scales and the VAS, BCTQ symptom-severity and BCTQ function status in the positive direction.&#x0D; Conclusion: In our study, it was shown that the patient group showed higher anxiety, health anxiety and somatosensory amplification characteristics, and these features were associated with the severity of the CTS clinical scales. Studies with large-scale samples are needed to be carried out to confirm the results of this study.

Sustained attention is related to heartbeat counting task performance but not to self-reported aspects of interoception and mindfulness

Although association between sustained attention and various aspects of interoception (i.e. the perception of the body state) seems plausible, research on this subject is scarce. In the present study, 74 undergraduate students (41 females; age: 22.3 ± 4.04 yrs) filled out the Body Awareness Questionnaire, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale and completed the Heartbeat Counting Task (HCT), a sensory-perceptual measure of cardiac interoception and the PEBL Continuous Performance Test (CPT) assessing sustained attention. The HCT score showed a weak to moderate negative correlation with the number of commission errors shown in CPT, indicating a lack of response inhibition (frequentist analysis: rs = −0.313, p = 0.008; Bayesian analysis: τb = −0.216, BF10 = 5.865). Questionnaire measures did not show any connection with CPT-performance. These findings suggest that the subjective representation of attentiveness to bodily processes is unrelated to the objectively measured sustained attention. Response inhibition, however, is moderately related to HCT performance.

Levels of anxiety sensitivity, somatosensory amplification and alexithymia in patients with unexplained infertility.

In this study, we aimed to focus on the psychological aspect of unexplained infertility by comparing their psychological features to those of infertile patients with a known causes and fertile patients. Sixty unexplained infertility patients, 50 infertile patients with a known cause and 56 fertile patients were included in the study. Patients were evaluated using socio-demographic data form, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SAS) and Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-3). No significant differences in the levels of alexithymia, somatosensory amplification and anxiety sensitivity were detected between the groups (P>.05). When the correlation of clinical scale scores with each other was analysed in the whole group of infertile patients regardless of the cause, a weak positive correlation was found between anxiety sensitivity and difficulty in identifying feelings. In our study, it has been found out that; regardless of the knowledge of the aetiology of infertility, the levels of alexithymia, somatosensory amplification and anxiety sensitivity of infertile cases did not differ from those of fertile women. However, it has been shown that as the difficulty in identifying emotions increases in infertile cases, anxiety sensitivity, which may cause psychological infertility, also increases.

Assessing Multisensory Sensitivity Across Scales: Using the Resulting Core Factors to Create the Multisensory Amplification Scale

Multisensory sensitivity (MSS), observed in some chronic pain patients, may reflect a generalized central nervous system sensitivity. While several surveys measure aspects of MSS, there remains no gold standard. We explored the underlying constructs of 4 MSS-related surveys (80 items in total) using factor analyses using REDCap surveys (N = 614, 58.7% with pain). Four core- and 6 associated-MSS factors were identified from the items assessed. None of these surveys addressed all major sensory systems and most included additional related constructs. A revised version of the Somatosensory Amplification Scale was developed, encompassing 5 core MSS systems: vision, hearing, smell, tactile, and internal bodily sensations: the 12-item Multisensory Amplification Scale (MSAS). The MSAS demonstrated good internal consistency (alpha = 0.82), test-retest reliability (ICC3,1 = 0.90), and construct validity in the original and in a new, separate cohort (R = 0.54–0.79, P < .0001). Further, the odds of having pain were 2–3.5 times higher in the highest sex-specific MSAS quartile relative to the lowest MSAS quartile, after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and pain schema (P < .03). The MSAS provides a psychometrically comprehensive, brief, and promising tool for measuring the core-dimensions of MSS. PerspectiveMultiple multisensory sensitivity (MSS) tools are used, but without exploration of their underlying domains. We found several measures lacking core MSS domains, thus we modified an existing scale to encompass 5 core MSS domains: light, smell, sound, tactile, and internal bodily sensations using only 12 items, with good psychometric properties.

Relationship between somatosensory amplification and frequency of vertigo episodes: a study of psychogenic vertigo

Objective: Onset of psychogenic vertigo/dizziness is affected by psychosocial factors. Somatosensory amplification is one of the psychological factors associated with functional physical symptoms, but its relationship to psychogenic vertigo remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between the frequency of vertigo episodes and somatosensory amplification in patients with psychogenic vertigo.

Comparison of brain activity within the sensorimotor network between sports players and patients with somatic symptom disorder

ObjectiveWe aimed to identify differences in brain functional connectivity (FC) and characteristics of body sensation between sports players and patients with somatic symptom disorder (SSD), in order to investigate the neurobiological basis of SSD. MethodsThirty-five sports players (SPORTS group), 36 patients with SSD (SOM group), and 33 healthy control participants (HC group) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We used a seed-based FC analysis. ResultsBoth groups showed increased brain activity in the left precuneus. The level of body intelligence in the SPORTS group and the level of somatosensory amplification in the SOM group were positively correlated with brain activity in the left precuneus. The SPORTS group showed increased FC between the left precuneus and the right/left insula compared to the HC group. The SOM group showed increased FC between the left precuneus and the right parahippocampal gyrus compared to the HC group. The SPORTS group showed increased FC between the left precuneus and left posterior cingulate gyrus compared to the SOM group. ConclusionIncreased FC between the precuneus within the default mode network (DMN) and the insula connected to the sensorimotor network in sports players may be related to better somatosensory functions. In contrast, increased FC between the precuneus of the DMN and the parahippocampal gyrus of the affective network in SSD may be associated with dysfunctional processing and misconception of information. Future studies should examine whether treatments for improving affective processing normalize the affective network, and if this is correlated with somatic symptom improvement.

Smiling, Yawning, Jaw Functional Limitations and Oral Behaviors With Respect to General Health Status in Patients With Temporomandibular Disorder-Myofascial Pain With Referral.

Background: The temporomandibular joint is the one of the most important joints in the human body. It enables numerous orofacial functions such as mastication, swallowing, breathing, speech, emotional communication, and facial expressions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of jaw functional limitations and oral behaviors with respect to general health status in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders—myofascial pain with referral.Materials and methods: The study group consisted of 50 individuals (37 females and 13 males) with complete natural dentition. The average age was 23.36 years with ± 0.30 as a standard error. All subjects underwent clinical examination and were diagnosed with myofascial pain with referral according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. The survey was conducted in connection with the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8 (JFLS-8), Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-20 (JFLS-20), Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), and Oral Behaviors Checklist (OBC).Results: The most common functional problems in the entire study group were chewing tough food and yawning. In terms of gender, statistically significant differences were noted for chewing tough food and smiling (p = 0.015451; p = 0.035978, respectively). With respect to Bonferroni correction and Benjamini-Hochberg procedure, the observed differences were not statistically significant. There were no statistically considerable differences in mastication, mandibular mobility, verbal and emotional communication, or global limitations (p > 0.05). Over half (56%) of the respondents had depression of varying severity. Somatic symptoms of different severity were found in 78% of the patients, and 44% of the respondents declared anxiety disorders. The score of the Oral Behavior Checklist (OBC = 27.18) highlighted a high tendency for developing craniomandibular disorders.Conclusion: Patients with myofascial pain with referral, demonstrated a disturbed biopsychosocial profile. The restrictions in yawning and smiling as well as limitations in mastication, mobility, verbal and emotional communication, and global limitations appear to be significant predictors of craniomandibular dysfunction. Depression, stress, and somatic disorders are important factors predisposing patients to the occurrence of myofascial pain with referral. The progression of oral behaviors may indicate the role of somatosensory amplification.

Investigating Attachment Insecurity and Somatosensory Amplification, and the Mediating Role of Interpersonal Problems

Abstract. Background: Somatosensory amplification involves perceptual sensitivity to and cognitive-affective interpretation of bodily sensations and external stimuli, contributing to heightened experiences of somatic symptoms. However, little is known about somatosensory amplification in relation to vulnerabilities such as attachment insecurity. Aims: The present study investigated the link between attachment insecurity and somatosensory amplification, including the mediating role of dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors. Method: A sample of 245 adult community members completed the Somatosensory Amplification Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and abbreviated versions of the Experiences in Close Relationships scale and Inventory of Interpersonal Problems. Correlational and regression analyses were used to examine relations among study variables, including a hypothesized parallel mediation model. Results: Somatosensory amplification was significantly associated with attachment anxiety, but not attachment avoidance. Regression analyses, controlling for general anxiety symptoms and gender, found that interpersonal sensitivity (but not aggression or ambivalence) mediated the link between attachment anxiety and somatosensory amplification. Limitations: Study limitations include the use of cross-sectional data and a non-clinical sample. Conclusion: The findings indicate that somatosensory amplification may be related to individuals’ attachment anxiety, through the mediating effect of interpersonal sensitivity problems.

Modern health worries and idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields are associated with paranoid ideation

ObjectiveParanoid ideation is assumed to characterize worries about possible harmful effects of modern technologies (MHWs) and idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEIs), such as IEI attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF). Empirical evidence on these associations is scarce. MethodsIn a cross-sectional on-line survey, participants of a community sample (n = 700; mean age: 28.4 ± 12.0; 434 females) completed the Somatosensory Amplification Scale, the Modern Health Worries Scale, and the Paranoid Ideation scale of the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised. They were considered IEI-EMF if (1) they categorized themselves so, (2) they had experienced symptoms that they attributed to the exposure to electromagnetic fields, and (3) the condition impacted their everyday functioning. ResultsParanoid ideation was significantly positively associated with MHWs (standardized β = 0.150, p < .001) even after controlling for socio-demographic variables and somatosensory amplification tendency, an indicator of somatic symptom distress. Also, paranoid ideation explained significant variability in IEI-EMF (OR = 1.090, 95% CI: 1.006–1.180, p = .035) even after statistically controlling for socio-demographic variables and somatosensory amplification. ConclusionsParanoid ideation was found to be associated with MHWs and IEI-EMF. This association appears independent of general somatic symptom distress in both cases. This might partly explain the temporal stability of these constructs.

Cognitive and behavioral factors of quality of life in patients with somatoform disorders

IntroductionStudies of the cognitive and behavioral factors of perpetuation and quality of life in patients with somatoform disorders are important for identifying targets for psychological interventions and risk groups (Piontek et al., 2018, Dehoust et al., 2017, Schaefer et al., 2012, Flasinski et al., 2020).ObjectivesTo reveal beliefs and behavior in patients with somatoform disorders associated severity of somatic complaints and poorer subjective well-being.Methods125 patients with somatoform disorders 17-68 years old filled Screening for Somatoform Symptoms (Rief, Hiller, 2003), Cognitions About Body And Health Questionnaire (Rief et al., 1998), Scale for the Assessment of Illness Behaviour (Rief, Ihle, Pigler, 2003), and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnairie-18 (Ritsner et al., 2005).ResultsSeverity of somatoform symptoms is higher in patients with catastrophization of bodily sensations, autonomic sensations, belief in their bodily weakness, somatosensory amplification, scanning for bodily symptoms, and disturbances in daily activities due to illness (r=.18-.38, p&lt;.05). Adjusting for the severity of somatoform symptoms, subjective well-being was lower in patients with higher belief in their bodily weakness and somatosensory amplification, autonomic sensations, expression of symptoms, and changes in daily activities due to illness (r=.21-.40, p&lt;.05).ConclusionsThe results suggests that regardless of symptoms severity poorer quality of life in patients with somatoform disorders is associated with beliefs about body and body perception that could be addressed in psychotherapy.

Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Cognitions About Body and Health Questionnaire.

IntroductionThe Cognitions About Body and Health Questionnaire (CABAH) is a self-rating questionnaire measuring cognitions about health. The psychometric properties of its Chinese version and its performance on evaluating somatic symptom disorder (SSD) were examined in this study.MethodsAfter translating the CABAH into Chinese, we collected data of the CABAH and another four questionnaires (Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Health Anxiety Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory) in 208 SSD patients and 197 healthy individuals. We used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to explore the structure of the Chinese CABAH. Internal consistency and criterion-related validity were analyzed. An independent t-test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to evaluate the performance of the CABAH for evaluating SSD.ResultsSix factors were suggested by EFA. Five (bodily weakness, health habits, catastrophizing interpretation of specific bodily complaints, somatosensory amplification, catastrophizing interpretation of general bodily complaints) are conceptually associated with the original CABAH. The sixth factor (reverse, with three items) is different from the original construct. Cronbach’s alpha for the CABAH was 0.885. The CABAH score was moderately correlated with scores of the other four questionnaires. Scores for the whole CABAH and scores of the six factors were all significantly higher in SSD patients than in healthy individuals. The results of ROC curve analysis were as follows: area under the curve=0.700; suggested cutoff=58/59; Youden’s J=0.295.ConclusionThe reliability and validity of the Chinese CABAH were fair, although the three items in the reverse factor should be interpreted cautiously.

日本語版Body Perception Questionnaire-Body Awareness（BPQ-BA）超短縮版の作成─因子構造，および信頼性，妥当性の検討─

The present study aimed to develop and validate the Japanese version of the Body Perception Questionnaire-Body Awareness Very Short Form (BPQ-BAVSF-J). In Study 1, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 358 crowdsourced participants and 296 university students. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis and then conducted a confirmatory factor analysis. The results of the factor analysis indicated that the BPQ-BAVSF-J has a unidimensional structure with sufficient reliability. Additionally, consistent with the original version, the BPQ-BAVSF-J had a positive correlation with somatosensory amplification and physical stress. Thus, it was shown that the BPQ-BAVSF-J has adequate validity. In Study 2, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 305 and 295 crowdsourced participants and then compared the BPQ-BAVSF-J and the Japanese version of the Body Perception Questionnaire-Body Awareness Short Form (BPQ-BASF-J). The results of Study 2 showed that both the BPQ-BAVSF-J and the BPQ-BASF-J had the same level of correlation with the validity scale. These results suggest that the BPQ-BAVSF-J can measure interoceptive awareness as well as the BPQ-BASF-J, which has a larger number of items. In study 3, we conducted a two-wave survey with a one-month interval (N＝68) and confirmed that the BPQ-BAVSF-J has sufficient test-retest reliability.