Pain-related disability in functional neurological disorder (FND): the role of pain intensity and psychological factors 2026 Callanan et al

[Andy]

Background​

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a complex neurological condition characterised by involuntary motor and sensory symptoms, linked to alterations in brain network functioning rather than abnormalities in brain structure. Pain is common in FND and is associated with reduced quality of life (QoL), distress, and increased disability. The Fear-Avoidance Model (FAM) posits that psychological factors can exacerbate pain and disability. This study aimed to examine whether pain intensity and psychological factors of the FAM predict pain-related disability in individuals with FND. A secondary aim was to assess whether the relationship between pain intensity and pain-related disability was sequentially mediated by pain catastrophising, pain-related avoidance, and depression.

Methods​

A total of 248 adults with FND and pain (18–73 years) completed an online cross-sectional survey. Hierarchical regression analysis assessed whether pain intensity and psychological variables predicted pain-related disability. Sequential mediation analysis investigated direct and indirect effects.

Results​

Eighty-nine percent of participants reported pain associated with FND, and 93.5% reported persistent pain. Pain intensity, pain catastrophising, and pain-related avoidance explained 58.1% of the variance in pain-related disability. Mediation analysis revealed a significant direct effect of pain intensity on pain-related disability, with partial and sequential indirect effects via psychological variables. The final model explained 61.5% of the variance in pain-related disability.

Conclusion​

Participants with FND reported high levels of pain intensity, pain-related disability, and low QoL. These findings highlight the complex interplay between pain and psychological factors in FND, which may be important targets for intervention.

Open access

 

[Andy]

"Regarding co-occurring symptoms associated with FND, 93.1% (n = 231) reported fatigue and 89.9% (n = 223) reported pain."

 

[rvallee]

Condition defined by symptoms including pain includes pain, is exactly the kind of satire "water is wet shows study" tries to mock but usually fails at, except here it's genuine, because it's how the thing is defined.

Pain intensity, pain catastrophising, and pain-related avoidance explained 58.1% of the variance in pain-related disability

So, pain. That's just pain described differently. How could we possibly ever make progress on those issues without this kind of genius work?

The final model explained 61.5% of the variance in pain-related disability

Gotta love the precision digit on subjective sensations, pure mathemagics and vibism.

These findings highlight the complex interplay between pain and psychological factors in FND, which may be important targets for intervention.

They, uh, do no such thing. But clearly it's popular to say so anyway, and popular wins over correct every single time.