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FibromyalgiaNCT06948903

Relationship Between Central Sensitization Symptoms and Cognitive Dysfunction in Fibromyalgia

An observational study of Fibromyalgia and Cognitive Dysfunction, run by Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between central sensitization parameters and cognitive dysfunction in patients with fibromyalgia.The main questions it aims to answer are: Do central sensitization symptoms affect cognitive dysfunction in patients with fibromyalgia? To what extent do central… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years
What is being tested?
Central Sensitization Inventory, The Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Cognitive Symptom Severity Scale-Extended
How many people
100 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
10 Jan 2023to 1 Oct 2025
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: Patients with Fibromyalgia

Who may be able to join

  • Being diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to American College of Rheumatology 2016 criteria
  • Being between 18-65 years old
  • Being literate
  • Accepting to participate in the study

Who cannot join

  • Concomitant systemic inflammatory disease, central nervous system disease (cortical involvement), active infection and malignancy history
  • History of illness that may lead to cognitive impairment
  • Being <18 and >65 years old
  • Being illiterate
  • Not accepting to participate in the study

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Health Sciences University

    Istanbul, Uskudar, 34100

    Feyza Yücel, M.D., (0216) 542 20 00 ext. +90, dr.fny28@gmail.com

    Sefa Kurt, M.D.

    Recruiting

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Investigation of the Relationship Between Central Sensitization Symptoms and Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients With Fibromyalgia

The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between central sensitization parameters and cognitive dysfunction in patients with fibromyalgia.The main questions it aims to answer are:

Do central sensitization symptoms affect cognitive dysfunction in patients with fibromyalgia? To what extent do central sensitization symptoms affect objective and subjective cognitive complaints in fibromyalgia patients? How do cognitive complaints relate to other clinical parameters, including disease severity, in these patients?

Read the detailed description

Central sensitization is defined as an increase in pain sensitivity with amplification of neuron-derived signals in the central nervous system. Fibromyalgia is a disease characterized by chronic widespread pain, and although its etiology and pathophysiology are still not fully known, it is considered a major member of the group of diseases known as central sensitivity syndromes, which progress with impaired pain regulation.

Fibromyalgia negatively affects the patient's functionality in various ways. One of these is cognitive dysfunction, and previous studies have shown that fibromyalgia patients experience significant deterioration in all parameters related to cognitive function compared to healthy controls. Central sensitization has been shown to be associated with comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and fatigue in many disease groups, including fibromyalgia, and data on its effect on cognitive dysfunction are limited.

A study found that impaired conditioned pain modulation, one of the methods used in the evaluation of central sensitization in fibromyalgia patients, was associated with cognitive dysfunction.In addition, cognitive impairment in these patients is associated with a decrease in the quality of life of the patients and is suggested to be one of the important clinical findings of the disease. Considering all these data, it seems likely that central sensitization negatively affects cognitive function in fibromyalgia, and this study aimed to examine in detail the relationship between central sensitization and cognitive dysfunction in fibromyalgia patients.

Being tested
Central Sensitization Inventory, The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Cognitive Symptom Severity Scale-Extended, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Numeric rating scale
Keywords
Fibromyalgia, Cognitive Dysfunction, Central Sensitisation
Medical subject headings
Fibromyalgia, Cognitive Dysfunction

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Central Sensitization InventoryDiagnostic test

    The Central Sensitization Inventory is used by some researchers to investigate pain sensitivity through symptoms associated with central sensitization and related comorbidities. It can help determine the severity of central sensitization. The scale was developed to detect central sensitization in patients with chronic pain and consists of two sections: Section A and Section B. For scoring purposes, only Section A is used. A score of 40 or higher out of 100 is associated with an increased likelihood of central sensitization.

  • The Montreal Cognitive AssessmentDiagnostic test

    The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was initially developed as a test for mild cognitive impairment, but has also been determined to match qualities of the mini mental state examination 80. It assesses seven areas of cognition for a total possible score of 30 points. A score of 21 or less is indicative of cognitive impairment in Turkish population.

  • Cognitive Symptom Severity Scale-ExtendedDiagnostic test

    The Cognitive Symptom Severity Scale extends the scale of the original cognitive symptom severity scale. Participants are asked to rate their cognitive symptoms related to concentration and memory on a single scale ranging from 1-5, rather than the original 1-3, where higher scores indicate greater severity.

  • Fibromyalgia Impact QuestionnaireOther

    The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire is composed of 10 items. The first item contains 11 questions related to physical functioning - each question is rated on a 4 point Likert type scale. Items 2 and 3 ask the patient to mark the number of days they felt well and the number of days they were unable to work (including housework) because of fibromyalgia symptoms. Items 4 through 10 are horizontal linear scales marked in 10 increments on which the patient rates work difficulty, pain, fatigue, morning tiredness, stiffness, anxiety and depression. The maximum scale score is 100, with higher scores associated with increasing disability.

  • Numeric rating scaleOther

    Numeric Rating Scale will be used to determine pain intensity during assessments. Participants will be asked to rate their pain intensity by selecting a value between 0 and 10. Higher scores are associated with increased pain severity.

  • Hospital Anxiety and Depression ScaleOther

    This scale is used to assess anxiety and depression symptoms and consists of 14 items (7 items for anxiety, 7 items for depression). For each subscale, scores range from 0 to 21: • 0-7 points: No symptoms or very mild symptoms • 8-10 points: Moderate symptoms • 11 points or higher

Study groups in NCT06948903
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
PatientsPatients with fibromyalgia
Receives: Diagnostic Test: Central Sensitization Inventory; Diagnostic Test: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment; Diagnostic Test: Cognitive Symptom Severity Scale-Extended; Other: Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire; Other: Numeric rating scale; Other: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Central Sensitization Inventory

    The Central Sensitization Inventory is used by some researchers to investigate pain sensitivity through symptoms associated with central sensitization and related comorbidities. It can help determine the severity of central sensitization. The scale was developed to detect central sensitization in patients with chronic pain and consists of two sections: Section A and Section B. For scoring purposes, only Section A is used. A score of 40 or higher out of 100 is associated with an increased likelihood of central sensitization.

    Measured: 6 months

  2. Montreal Cognitive Assessment

    The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was initially developed as a test for mild cognitive impairment, but has also been determined to match qualities of the mini mental state examination 80. It assesses seven areas of cognition for a total possible score of 30 points. A score of 21 or less is indicative of cognitive impairment in Turkish population.

    Measured: 6 months

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Cognitive Symptom Severity Scale-Extended

    The Cognitive Symptom Severity Scale extends the scale of the original cognitive symptom severity scale. Participants are asked to rate their cognitive symptoms related to concentration and memory on a single scale ranging from 1-5, rather than the original 1-3, where higher scores indicate greater severity.

    Measured: 6 months

  2. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire

    This scale is composed of 10 items. The first item contains 11 questions related to physical functioning - each question is rated on a 4 point Likert type scale. Items 2 and 3 ask the patient to mark the number of days they felt well and the number of days they were unable to work (including housework) because of fibromyalgia symptoms. Items 4 through 10 are horizontal linear scales marked in 10 increments on which the patient rates work difficulty, pain, fatigue, morning tiredness, stiffness, anxiety and depression. The maximum scale score is 100, with higher scores associated with increasing disability.

    Measured: 6 months

  3. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

    This scale is used to assess anxiety and depression symptoms and consists of 14 items (7 items for anxiety, 7 items for depression). For each subscale, scores range from 0 to 21: • 0-7 points: No symptoms or very mild symptoms • 8-10 points: Moderate symptoms • 11 points or higher

    Measured: 6 months

  4. Numeric rating scale

    Numeric Rating Scale will be used to determine pain intensity during assessments. Participants will be asked to rate their pain intensity by selecting a value between 0 and 10. Higher scores are associated with increased pain severity.

    Measured: 6 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted29 Apr 2025
  2. Study start10 Jan 2023
  3. Primary completion1 Aug 2025
  4. Study completion1 Oct 2025 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Case only
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrolment
100 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06948903
Sponsor's protocol ID
11111
Status last verified
Sep 2025
First submitted
21 Apr 2025
Last updated
12 Sep 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Data sharing not planned

Publications

  • Akinci A, Al Shaker M, Chang MH, Cheung CW, Danilov A, Jose Duenas H, Kim YC, Guillen R, Tassanawipas W, Treuer T, Wang Y. Predictive factors and clinical biomarkers for treatment in patients with chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis with a central sensitisation component. Int J Clin Pract. 2016 Jan;70(1):31-44. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.12749. Epub 2015 Nov 11.

    PubMed 26558538
  • Bell T, Trost Z, Buelow MT, Clay O, Younger J, Moore D, Crowe M. Meta-analysis of cognitive performance in fibromyalgia. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2018 Sep;40(7):698-714. doi: 10.1080/13803395.2017.1422699. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

    PubMed 29388512
  • Coppieters I, Ickmans K, Cagnie B, Nijs J, De Pauw R, Noten S, Meeus M. Cognitive Performance Is Related to Central Sensitization and Health-related Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders and Fibromyalgia. Pain Physician. 2015 May-Jun;18(3):E389-401.

    PubMed 26000686
  • Bertolucci PH, de Oliveira FF. Cognitive impairment in fibromyalgia. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013 Jul;17(7):344. doi: 10.1007/s11916-013-0344-9.

    PubMed 23709236
  • Elkana O, Yaalon C, Raev S, Sobol N, Ablin JN, Shorer R, Aloush V. A modified version of the 2016 ACR fibromyalgia criteria cognitive items results in stronger correlations between subjective and objective measures of cognitive impairment. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2021 May-Jun;39 Suppl 130(3):66-71. doi: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/403mpp. Epub 2021 Mar 16.

    PubMed 33734966
  • Duzce Keles E, Birtane M, Ekuklu G, Kilincer C, Caliyurt O, Tastekin N, Is EE, Ketenci A, Neblett R. Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the central sensitization inventory. Arch Rheumatol. 2021 Oct 18;36(4):518-526. doi: 10.46497/ArchRheumatol.2022.8665. eCollection 2021 Dec.

    PubMed 35382371
  • Nasreddine ZS, Phillips NA, Bedirian V, Charbonneau S, Whitehead V, Collin I, Cummings JL, Chertkow H. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA: a brief screening tool for mild cognitive impairment. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005 Apr;53(4):695-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.53221.x.

    PubMed 15817019
  • Kaya Y, Aki OE, Can UA, Derle E, Kibaroglu S, Barak A. Validation of Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Discriminant Power of Montreal Cognitive Assessment Subtests in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Dementia in Turkish Population. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2014 Jun;27(2):103-9. doi: 10.1177/0891988714522701. Epub 2014 Feb 26.

    PubMed 24578463
  • Sarmer S, Ergin S, Yavuzer G. The validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Rheumatol Int. 2000 Dec;20(1):9-12. doi: 10.1007/s002960000077.

    PubMed 11149662

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Fibromyalgia and Cognitive Dysfunction, run by Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Feyza Yücel, M.D. ((0216) 542 20 00 ext. +90, dr.fny28@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Central Sensitization Inventory (time frame: 6 months). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06948903, which also lists 9 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Sep 2025.

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