Do Psychological Factors Influence the Elastic Properties of Soft Tissue in Subjects with Fibromyalgia? A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Abstract

Nowadays, there is evidence related to the impact that psychological factors have on symptoms, specifically vegetative ones, and on the autonomic nervous system in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). However, there are no studies to correlate the level of association between psychological factors and the elastic properties of tissue in the FM population. Elastic properties of soft tissue reflect age- and disease-related changes in the mechanical functions of soft tissue, and mechanical failure has a profound impact on morbidity and mortality. The study has a cross-sectional observational design with 42 participants recruited from a private clinic and rehabilitation service. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale and Self-Efficacy Scale were used to assess psychological factors. The elastic properties of the tissue in the characteristic painful points, which patients suffering from FM described, were assessed by strain elastography. A low and significant level of association was found between pain catastrophising scale (PCS) and the non-dominant lateral epicondyle (r = −0.318; p = 0.045). Kinesiophobia was found to be related to the dominant lateral epicondyle (r = 0.403; p = 0.010), the non-dominant knee (r = −0.34; p = 0.027) and the dominant forearm (r = 0.360; p = 0.010). Self-Efficacy showed a low level of association with the non-dominant supraspinatus (r = −0.338; p = 0.033) and the non-dominant medial epicondyle (r = −0.326; p = 0.040). Psychological factors and the elastic properties of tissue seem to be associated in patients suffering from FM. The most profound association between psychological factors and non-dominant parts of the body could be related to neglect and non-use of those parts of the body.

Ultrasound Strain Elastography Reliability in the Assessment of the Plantar Fascia and Its Relationship with the Plantar Thickness in Healthy Adults: An Intra and Interobserver Reliability Study in Novice Evaluators

“…In this regard, our results showed similar values when assessing SEL in healthy plantar fascia; nevertheless, the level of association between PF elasticity and thickness was very low. If this relationship were found, it would be of great interest to both clinicians and researchers since the loss of elasticity indicates disease progression and/or the effects of non-successful aging [35]. Although the presented results showed no relationship between PF elasticity and thickness, further studies should analyze this not only in healthy subjects, but also in those suffering from chronic PF pain.…”

“…Although the presented results showed no relationship between PF elasticity and thickness, further studies should analyze this not only in healthy subjects, but also in those suffering from chronic PF pain. In this line, current studies have found a relationship between elastic properties of tissue and alterations in the autonomic nervous system [35,36]. This is only a hypothesis and more studies in this line are needed.…”

Association between elasticity of tissue and pain pressure threshold in the tender points present in subjects with fibromyalgia: a cross-sectional study

“…Additionally, the elastic properties of soft tissue, as well as cartilaginous tissues, are influenced or even determined by the activity of the sympathetic nervous system 19 . In patients with FM, a relationship between psychological factors and the elasticity of tissues has been shown 20 , as well as with sympathetic nervous system dysfunction 21 , however, little research has been carried out to study elastic properties in tender or MTrp, and the existing results are not yet conclusive. Therefore, there is a need for research to assess such painful points to better understand the relationship between tissue elasticity and pain pressure thresholds (PPT), since SEL can be employed to measure the elastic properties of soft tissue, and a decrease in elasticity indicates the progression of disease and/or the effects of unsuccessful aging 21 – 23 .…”