title: Impaired Empathic Abilities among Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Type I).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to evaluate differences in empathic abilities between patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) Type I and healthy control subjects (HCs) and to assess correlations between empathic abilities and multidimensional aspects of pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Empathic ability was measured in 32 patients with CRPS Type I and in 36 HCs using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). A comprehensive assessment of pain was conducted in the patient group using the West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory (WHYMPI). Psychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories (BDI and BAI), and quality of life was evaluated using the WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with CRPS showed impaired cognitive and emotional empathic abilities compared with HCs. Significantly lower levels of perspective taking and empathic concern and higher levels of personal distress on the IRI were exhibited by the patient group. Perspective taking and personal distress were associated with affective distress and poor quality of life in social contexts (BDI, BAI, and WHOQOL). However, empathic concern was positively correlated with pain severity and social support from others (WHYMPI).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A tendency toward self-oriented distress in social cognition was exhibited among patients with CRPS Type I. Impaired empathic ability was shown to have potentially negative effects on subjective emotional outcomes and social performance in the lives of patients. Interventions to improve emotional awareness and theory of mind would be beneficial for enhancing social functioning in patients with CRPS Type I.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hong-Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Do-Hyeong
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Jun
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Program of Neuroscience, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Chung
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.; Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Soo-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Joon Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.; Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Do-Hyung
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kang
keywords: Chronic pain; Complex regional pain syndrome; Empathic ability; Social cognition