Spatial and temporal connectivity of brain resting-state fMRI during music-induced analgesia in fibromyalgia patients

IntroductionMusic-induced analgesia (MIA) has significant clinical value for patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and serves as a key model for understanding the complex neural mechanisms underlying the effects of music on physical and mental states. However, previous research offers limited interpretation of the broader neural network characteristics underlying pain regulation through music, particularly regarding spatial synchronization and temporal connectivity.MethodsThe present study examined the neural correlates of MIA in FM patients using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) with fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo) and degree centrality (DC) measures. Twenty female FM patients underwent RS-fMRI scans before and after listening to self-selected, familiar, highly pleasant, and slow-tempo music. Behavioral assessments of pain intensity (PI) and pain unpleasantness (PU) were collected immediately before and after music listening. Paired t-tests and correlation analyses were performed.ResultsFollowing music listening, FM patients exhibited a significant reduction in PI and a marginal reduction in PU. Significant RS-fMRI changes were observed: increased fALFF in the frontal, occipital, and cerebellar regions; increased ReHo in the precentral gyrus, cerebellum_crus2, and postcentral gyrus; decreased ReHo in the temporal, occipital, frontal, limbic, and cingulate regions; and increased DC in frontal areas and the supplementary motor area. Additionally, significant correlations were found between clinical measures and fALFF or ReHo measures, including positive correlations between PI and fALFF in the left middle occipital gyrus, and negative correlations between PU and fALFF/ReHo in the right cerebellum_crus2 and left middle occipital gyrus.ConclusionThese findings suggested the effectiveness of music’s pain regulation function in FM patients, potentially through both cognitive and emotional pathways. The spatial and temporal fMRI evidence highlights key roles of the frontal, occipital, sensorimotor, limbic, and cerebellar regions in MIA, providing a more comprehensive framework for understanding its underlying neural mechanisms.