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We study the tomographic clustering properties of the photometric cluster catalogue derived from the third data release of the Kilo Degree Survey (KiDS), focusing on the angular correlation function and its spherical harmonic counterpart: the angular power spectrum. We measured the angular correlation function and power spectrum from a sample of 5162 clusters, with an intrinsic richness of λ* ≥ 15, in the photometric redshift range of z ∈ [0.1, 0.6]. We compared our measurements with theoretical models, within the framework of the Λ cold dark matter cosmology. We performed a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) analysis to constrain the cosmological parameters, Ωm and σ8, as well as the structure growth parameter, S8 ≡ σ8√Ωm/0.3. We adopted Gaussian priors on the parameters of the mass-richness relation, based on the posterior distributions derived from a previous joint analysis of cluster counts and weak-lensing mass measurements carried out on the basis of the same catalogue. From the angular correlation function, we obtained Ωm = 0.32−0.04+0.05, σ8 = 0.77−0.09+0.13, and S8 = 0.80−0.06+0.08, which are in agreement, within 1σ, with the 3D clustering result based on the same cluster sample and with existing complementary studies on other data sets. For the angular power spectrum, we checked the validity of the Poissonian shot noise approximation, also considering the mode-mode coupling induced by the mask. We derived statistically consistent results, in particular, Ωm = 0.24−0.04+0.05 and S8 = 0.93−0.12+0.11; while the constraint on σ8 alone is weaker with respect to the one provided by the angular correlation function, σ8 = 1.01−0.17+0.25. Our results show that the 2D clustering from photometric cluster surveys can provide competitive cosmological constraints with respect to the full 3D clustering statistics. We also demonstrate that they can be successfully applied to ongoing and forthcoming spectrometric and photometric surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a set of 73 numerically simulated galaxy clusters, we have characterised the statistical and physical biases for three velocity dispersion and mass estimators, namely biweight, gapper and standard deviation, in the small number of galaxies regime (Ngal ≤ 75), both for the determination of the velocity dispersion and the dynamical mass of the clusters via the σ–M relation. These results are used to define a new set of unbiased estimators, that are able to correct for those statistical biases. By applying these new estimators to a subset of simulated observations, we show that they can retrieve bias-corrected values for both the mean velocity dispersion and the mean mass.

We present a new strong lensing analysis of the galaxy cluster MACS J1206.2-0847 (MACS 1206), at z = 0:44, using deep spectroscopy from CLASH-VLT and VLT/MUSE archival data in combination with imaging from the Cluster Lensing and Supernova survey with Hubble. MUSE observations enable the spectroscopic identification of 23 new multiply imaged sources, extending the previous compilations by a factor of approximately five. In total, we use the positional measurements of 82 spectroscopic multiple images belonging to 27 families at z = 1:0-6:1 to reconstruct the projected total mass distribution of MACS 1206. Remarkably, 11 multiple images are found within 50 kpc of the brightest cluster galaxy, making this an unprecedented set of constraints for the innermost projected mass distribution of a galaxy cluster. We thus find that, although dynamically relaxed, the smooth matter component (dark matter plus hot gas) of MACS 1206 shows a significant asymmetry, which closely follows the asymmetric distribution of the stellar component (galaxy members and intracluster light). We determine the value of the innermost logarithmic slope of the projected total mass density profile and find it to be close to the canonical Navarro-Frenk-White value. We demonstrate that this quantity is very robust against di erent parametrizations of the di use mass component; however, this is not the case when only one central image is used in the mass reconstruction.We also show that the mass density profile from our new strong lensing model is in very good agreement with dynamical and X-ray measurements at larger radII, where they overlap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Determination of cluster masses is a fundamental tool for cosmology. Comparing mass estimates obtained by different probes allows to understand possible systematic uncertainties. Aims. The cluster Abell 315 is an interesting test case, since it has been claimed to be underluminous in X-ray for its mass (determined via kinematics and weak lensing). We have undertaken new spectroscopic observations with the aim of improving the cluster mass estimate, using the distribution of galaxies in projected phase space. Methods. We identified cluster members in our new spectroscopic sample. We estimated the cluster mass from the projected phasespace distribution of cluster members using the MAMPOSSt method. In doing this estimate we took into account the presence of substructures that we were able to identify. Results. We identify several cluster substructures. The main two have an overlapping spatial distribution, suggesting a (past or ongoing) collision along the line-of-sight. After accounting for the presence of substructures, the mass estimate of Abell 315 from kinematics is reduced by a factor 4, down to M200 = 0.8-0.4+0.6 × 1014 M⊙. We also find evidence that the cluster mass concentration is unusually low, c200 ≡ r200=r-2 ≲ 1. Using our new estimate of c200 we revise the weak lensing mass estimate down to M200 = 1.8-0.9+1.7 × 1014 M⊙. Our new mass estimates are in agreement with that derived from the cluster X-ray luminosity via a scaling relation, M200 = 0.9 ± 0.2 × 1014 M⊙. Conclusions. Abell 315 no longer belongs to the class of X-ray underluminous clusters. Its mass estimate was inflated by the presence of an undetected subcluster in collision with the main cluster. Whether the presence of undetected line-of-sight structures can be a general explanation for all X-ray underluminous clusters remains to be explored using a statistically significant sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the spectroscopic confirmation of 22 new multiply lensed sources behind the Hubble Frontier Field (HFF) galaxy cluster MACS J0416.1-2403 (MACS 0416), using archival data from the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) on the VLT. Combining with previous spectroscopic measurements of 15 other multiply imaged sources, we have obtained a sample of 102 secure multiple images with measured redshifts, the largest to date in a single strong lensing system. The newly confirmed sources are largely lowluminosity Lyman-α emitters with redshift in the range [3:08-6:15]. With such a large number of secure constraints, and a significantly improved sample of galaxy members in the cluster core, we have improved our previous strong lensing model and obtained a robust determination of the projected total mass distribution of MACS 0416. We find evidence of three cored dark-matter halos, adding to the known complexity of this merging system. The total mass density profile, as well as the sub-halo population, are found to be in good agreement with previous works. We update and make public the redshift catalog of MACS 0416 from our previous spectroscopic campaign with the new MUSE redshifts. We also release lensing maps (convergence, shear, magnification) in the standard HFF format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The dynamics of clusters of galaxies and its evolution provide information on their formation and growth, on the nature of dark matter and on the evolution of the baryonic components. Poor observational constraints exist so far on the dynamics of clusters at redshift z > 0.8. Aims. We aim to constrain the internal dynamics of clusters of galaxies at redshift z ~ 1, namely their mass profile M(r), velocity anisotropy profile β(r), and pseudo-phase-space density profiles Q(r) and Qr(r), obtained from the ratio between the mass density profile and the third power of the (total and, respectively, radial) velocity dispersion profiles of cluster galaxies. Methods. We used the spectroscopic and photometric data-set of 10 clusters at 0.87 < z < 1.34 from the Gemini Cluster Astrophysics Spectroscopic Survey (GCLASS). We determined the individual cluster masses from their velocity dispersions, then stack the clusters in projected phase-space. We investigated the internal dynamics of this stack cluster, using the spatial and velocity distribution of its member galaxies. We determined the stack cluster M(r) using the MAMPOSSt method, and its β(r) by direct inversion of the Jeans equation. The procedures used to determine the two aforementioned profiles also allowed us to determine Q(r) and Qr(r). Results. Several M(r) models are statistically acceptable for the stack cluster (Burkert, Einasto, Hernquist, NFW). The stack cluster total mass concentration, c ≡ r200/r-2 = 4.0-0.6+1.0, is in agreement with theoretical expectations. The total mass distribution is less concentrated than both the cluster stellar-mass and the cluster galaxies distributions. The stack cluster β(r) indicates that galaxy orbits are isotropic near the cluster center and become increasingly radially elongated with increasing cluster-centric distance. Passive and star-forming galaxies have similar β(r). The observed β(r) is similar to that of dark matter particles in simulated cosmological halos. Q(r) and Qr(r) are almost power-law relations with slopes similar to those predicted from numerical simulations of dark matter halos. Conclusions. Comparing our results with those obtained for lower-redshift clusters, we conclude that the evolution of the concentration-total mass relation and pseudo-phase-space density profiles agree with the expectations from ΛCDM cosmological simulations. The fact that Q(r) and Qr(r) already follow the theoretical expectations in z ~ 1 clusters suggest these profiles are the result of rapid dynamical relaxation processes, such as violent relaxation. The different concentrations of the total and stellar mass distribution, and their subsequent evolution, can be explained by merging processes of central galaxies leading to the formation of the brightest cluster galaxy. The orbits of passive cluster galaxies appear to become more isotropic with time, while those of star-forming galaxies do not evolve, presumably because star-formation is quenched on a shorter timescale than that required for orbital isotropization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the characteristics of the galaxy cluster samples expected from the European Space Agency's Euclid satellite and forecast constraints on parameters describing a variety of cosmological models. In this paper we use the same method of analysis already adopted in the Euclid Red Book, which is based on the Fisher matrix approach. Based on our analytical estimate of the cluster selection function in the photometric Euclid survey, we forecast the constraints on cosmological parameters corresponding to different extensions of the standard Λ cold dark matter model. Using only Euclid clusters, we find that the amplitude of the matter power spectrum will be constrained to Δσ8 = 0.0014 and the mass density parameter to ΔΩm = 0.0011. The dynamical evolution of dark energy will be constrained to Δw0 = 0.03 and Δwa = 0.2 with free curvature Ωk, resulting in a (w0, wa) figure of merit (FoM) of 291. In combination with Planck cosmic microwave background (CMB) constraints, the amplitude of primordial non-Gaussianity will be constrained to ΔfNL ≃ 6.6 for the local shape scenario. The growth factor parameter γ, which signals deviations from general relativity, will be constrained to Δγ = 0.02, and the neutrino density parameter to ΔΩν = 0.0013 (or ΔΣmν = 0.01). Including the Planck CMB covariance matrix improves dark energy constraints to Δw0 = 0.02, Δwa = 0.07, and a FoM = 802. Knowledge of the observable-cluster mass scaling relation is crucial to reach these accuracies. Imaging and spectroscopic capabilities of Euclid will enable internal mass calibration from weak lensing and the dynamics of cluster galaxies, supported by external cluster surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Environmental effects gain importance as large scale structures in the Universe develop with time and have become the dominant mechanism for quenching galaxies of intermediate and low stellar masses at lower redshifts. Therefore, clusters of galaxies at z< 0.5 are the sites where environmental effects are expected to be more pronounced and more easily observed with present-day large telescopes. Methods. We explore the Frontier Fields cluster MACS J0416.1-2403 at z = 0.3972 with VIMOS/VLT spectroscopy from the CLASH-VLT survey covering a region that corresponds to almost three virial radii. We measure fluxes of Hβ, [O III]λ 5007, Hα, and [N II]λ 6584  emission lines of cluster members enabling us to unambiguously derive O/H gas metallicities, and also star formation rates from extinction-corrected Hα  fluxes. We compare our cluster galaxy sample with a field sample at z ~ 0.4 drawn from zCOSMOS. Results. The 76 galaxies of our cluster sample follow the star-forming metallicity sequence in a diagnostic diagram disentangling ionizing sources. For intermediate masses we find a similar distribution of cluster and field galaxies in the mass vs. metallicity and mass vs. sSFR diagrams. An in-depth investigation furthermore reveals that bulge-dominated cluster galaxies have on average lower sSFRs and higher O/Hs than their disk-dominated counterparts. We use the location of galaxies in the projected velocity vs. position phase-space to separate our cluster sample into a region of objects accreted longer ago and a region of recently accreted and infalling galaxies. We find a higher fraction of accreted metal-rich galaxies (63%) compared to the fraction of 28% of metal-rich galaxies in the infalling regions. Intermediate-mass galaxies (9.2 < log (M/M⊙) < 10.2) falling into the cluster for the first time are found to be in agreement with predictions of the fundamental metallicity relation. In contrast, for already accreted star-forming galaxies of similar masses, we find on average metallicities higher than predicted by the models. This trend is intensified for accreted cluster galaxies of the lowest mass bin (log (M/M⊙) < 9.2), that display metallicities two to three times higher than predicted by models with primordial gas inflow. Environmental effects therefore strongly influence gas regulations and control gas metallicities of log (M/M⊙) < 10.2 cluster galaxies. We also investigate chemical evolutionary paths of model galaxies with and without inflow of gas showing that strangulation is needed to explain the higher metallicities of accreted cluster galaxies. Our results favor a strangulation scenario in which gas inflow stops for galaxies with log (M/M⊙) < 10.2 when accreted by the cluster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The study of the galaxy stellar mass function (SMF) in relation to the galaxy environment and the stellar mass density profile, ρ*(r), is a powerful tool to constrain models of galaxy evolution. Aims. We determine the SMF of the z = 0.44 cluster of galaxies MACS J1206.2-0847 separately for passive and star-forming (SF) galaxies, in different regions of the cluster, from the center out to approximately 2 virial radii. We also determine ρ*(r) to compare it to the number density and total mass density profiles. Methods. We use the dataset from the CLASH-VLT survey. Stellar masses are obtained by spectral energy distribution fitting with the MAGPHYS technique on 5-band photometric data obtained at the Subaru telescope. We identify 1363 cluster members down to a stellar mass of 109.5 M☉, selected on the basis of their spectroscopic (∼1/3 of the total) and photometric redshifts. We correct our sample for incompleteness and contamination by non members. Cluster member environments are defined using either the clustercentric radius or the local galaxy number density. Results. The whole cluster SMF is well fitted by a double Schechter function, which is the sum of the two Schechter functions that provide good fits to the SMFs of, separately, the passive and SF cluster populations. The SMF of SF galaxies is significantly steeper than the SMF of passive galaxies at the faint end. The SMF of the SF cluster galaxies does not depend on the environment. The SMF of the passive cluster galaxies has a significantly smaller slope (in absolute value) in the innermost (⩽0.50 Mpc, i.e., ∼0.25 virial radii), and in the highest density cluster region than in more external, lower density regions. The number ratio of giant/subgiant galaxies is maximum in this innermost region and minimum in the adjacent region, but then gently increases again toward the cluster outskirts. This is also reflected in a decreasing radial trend of the average stellar mass per cluster galaxy. On the other hand, the stellar mass fraction, i.e., the ratio of stellar to total cluster mass, does not show any significant radial trend. Conclusions. Our results appear consistent with a scenario in which SF galaxies evolve into passive galaxies due to density-dependent environmental processes and eventually get destroyed very near the cluster center to become part of a diffuse intracluster medium. Dynamical friction, on the other hand, does not seem to play an important role. Future investigations of other clusters of the CLASHVLT sample will allow us to confirm our interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We aim constrain the assembly history of clusters by studying the intracluster light (ICL) properties, estimating its contribution to the fraction of baryons in stars, f*, and understanding possible systematics or bias using different ICL detection techniques. Methods. We developed an automated method, GALtoICL, based on the software GALAPAGOS, to obtain a refined version of typical BCG+ICL maps. We applied this method to our test case MACS J1206.2-0847, a massive cluster located at z ~ 0:44, which is part of the CLASH sample. Using deep multiband Subaru images, we extracted the surface brightness (SB) profile of the BCG+ICL and studied the ICL morphology, color, and contribution to f* out to R500. We repeated the same analysis using a different definition of the ICL, SBlimit method, i.e., a SB cut-off level, to compare the results. Results. The most peculiar feature of the ICL in MACS1206 is its asymmetric radial distribution, with an excess in the SE direction and extending toward the second brightest cluster galaxy, which is a post starburst galaxy. This suggests an interaction between the BCG and this galaxy that dates back to ≤ 1:5 Gyr. The BCG+ICL stellar content is ~8% of M*; 500, and the (de-) projected baryon fraction in stars is f* = 0:0177(0:0116), in excellent agreement with recent results. The SBlimit method provides systematically higher ICL fractions and this effect is stronger at lower SB limits. This is due to the light from the outer envelopes of member galaxies that contaminate the ICL. Though more time consuming, the GALtoICL method provides safer ICL detections that are almost free of this contamination. This is one of the few ICL study at redshift z > 0:3. At completion, the CLASH/VLT program will allow us to extend this analysis to a statistically significant cluster sample spanning a wide redshift range: 0:2 . z . 0:6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We report the discovery of CXO J1415.2+3610, a distant (z ~1.5) galaxy cluster serendipitously detected as an extended source with a very high significance level (S/N ~11) in a deep, high-resolution Chandra observation targeted to study the cluster WARP J1415.1+3612 at z = 1.03. This is the highest-z cluster discovered with Chandra so far. Moreover, the total exposure time of 280 ks with ACIS-S provides the deepest X-ray observation currently achieved on a cluster at z ⩾ 1.5. Methods. We perform an X-ray spectral fit of the extended emission of the intracluster medium (ICM) with Xspec assuming a singletemperature thermal mekal model. We use optical and infrared (IR) observations from Subaru-Suprime (BVRiz), Moircs (JKs), and Spitzer-IRAC (3.6 μm) to confirm the presence of an overdensity of red galaxies matching the X-ray extended emission. We use optical and IR data to investigate the color-magnitude relation of the candidate member galaxies. Results. From a preliminary X-ray spectral analysis, we detect at a 99.5% confidence level the rest frame 6.7-6.9 keV Iron Kα line complex, from which we obtain zX = 1.46 ± 0.025. Our X-ray redshift measurement is supported by the optical and IR data. The analysis of the z - 3.6 μm color-magnitude diagram shows a well-defined sequence of red galaxies within 1' from the cluster X-ray emission peak with a color range [5 < z - 3.6 μm < 6]. The photometric redshift obtained by spectral energy distribution fitting is zphot = 1.52 ± 0.06. After fixing the redshift to z = 1.46, we perform the final spectral analysis and measure the average gas temperature with a 20% error, kT = 5.8+1.2 -1.0 keV, and the Fe abundance ZFe = 1.3+0.8 -0.5 Z☉. We fit the background-subtracted surface brightness with a single beta-model out to 35 arcsec (the maximum radius where the X-ray emission is detected), and derive the deprojected electron density profile. The ICM mass is 1.09+0.3-0.2 × 1013 M☉ within 300 kpc. Under the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium, the total mass is M2500 = 8.6+2.1-1.7 × 1013 M☉ for R2500 = (220 ± 55) kpc. Extrapolating the profile at larger radii, we find M500 = 2.1+0.7-0.5 × 1014 M☉ for R500 = 510+55-50 kpc. This analysis establishes CXOJ1415.2+3610 as one of the best characterized distant galaxy clusters based on X-ray data alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We present forecasts on the capability of future wide-area high-sensitivity X-ray surveys of galaxy clusters to yield constraints on the parameters defining the dark energy (DE) equation of state. Our analysis is carried out for future X-ray surveys which have enough sensitivity to provide accurate measurements of X-ray mass proxies and Fe-line-based redshifts for about 2 × 104 clusters. We base our analysis on the Fisher matrix formalism, by combining information on the cluster number counts and power spectrum, also including, for the first time in the analysis of the large-scale cluster distribution, the effect of linear redshift-space distortions. This study is performed with the main purpose of dissecting the cosmological information provided by geometrical and growth tests, which are both included in the analysis of number counts and clustering of galaxy clusters. We compare cosmological constraints obtained by assuming different levels of prior knowledge of the parameters which define the relation between cluster mass and X-ray observables. This comparison further demonstrates the fundamental importance of having a well calibrated observable-mass relation and, most importantly, its redshift evolution. Such a calibration can be achieved only by having at least ∼103 net photon counts for each cluster included in the survey, with sufficient angular resolution. We show that redshift-space distortions in the power spectrum analysis carry important cosmological information also when traced with galaxy clusters. We find that the DE figure of merit increases by a factor of 8 when including the effect of such distortions. Besides confirming the potential that large cluster surveys have in constraining the nature of DE, our analysis emphasizes that a full exploitation of the cosmological information carried by such surveys requires not only a large statistic but also a robust measurement of the mass proxies and redshift for a significant fraction of the cluster sample, which ought to be derived from the same X-ray survey data. This will be possible with future X-ray surveys, such as those envisioned with the Wide Field X-ray Telescope, with an adequate combination of survey area, sensitivity and angular resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present forecasts for constraints on deviations from Gaussian distribution of primordial density perturbations from future high-sensitivity X-ray surveys of galaxy clusters. Our analysis is based on computing the Fisher matrix for number counts and large-scale power spectrum of clusters. The surveys that we consider have high sensitivity and wide area to detect about extended sources, and to provide reliable measurements of robust mass proxies for about clusters. Based on the so-called self-calibration approach, and including Planck priors in our analysis, we constrain at once nine cosmological parameters and four nuisance parameters, which define the relation between cluster mass and X-ray flux. Because of the scale dependence of large-scale bias induced by local-shape non-Gaussianity, we find that the power spectrum provides strong constraints on the non-Gaussianity fNL parameter, which complement the stringent constraints on the power spectrum normalization, σ8, from the number counts. To quantify the joint constraints on the two parameters, σ8 and fNL, that specify the timing of structure formation for a fixed background expansion, we define the figure of merit . We find that our surveys constrain deviations from Gaussianity with a precision of at 1σ confidence level, with . We point out that constraints on fNL are weakly sensitive to the uncertainties in the knowledge of the nuisance parameters. As an application of non-Gaussian constraints from available data, we analyse the impact of positive skewness on the occurrence of XMMU-J2235, a massive distant cluster recently discovered at . We confirm that in a WMAP-7 Gaussian ΛCDM cosmology, within the survey volume, objects like this are expected to be found. To increase the probability of finding such a cluster by a factor of at least 10, one needs to evade either the available constraints on fNL or on the power-spectrum normalization σ8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the analysis of the Chandra observation of XDCP J0044.0-2033, a massive, distant (z = 1.579) galaxy cluster discovered in the XDCP survey. The total exposure time of 380 ks with Chandra ACIS-S provides the deepest X-ray observation currently achieved on a massive, high-redshift cluster. Extended emission from the intra cluster medium (ICM) is detected at a very high significance level (S/N ∼ 20) on a circular region with a 44″ radius, corresponding to Rext = 375 kpc at the cluster redshift. We perform an X-ray spectral fit of the ICM emission modeling the spectrum with a single-temperature thermal mekal model. Our analysis provides a global temperature keV, and a iron abundance (error bars correspond to 1σ). We fit the background-subtracted surface brightness profile with a single β-model out to 44″, finding a rather flat profile with no hints of a cool core. We derive the deprojected electron density profile and compute the ICM mass within the extraction radius Rext = 375 kpc to be MICM(r < Rext) = (1.48 ± 0.20) × 1013M☼. Under the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium and assuming isothermality within Rext, the total mass is for kpc. Extrapolating the profile at radii larger than the extraction radius Rext we find for kpc. This analysis establishes the existence of virialized, massive galaxy clusters at redshift z ∼ 1.6, paving the way to the investigation of the progenitors of the most massive clusters today. Given its mass and the XDCP survey volume, XDCP J0044.0-2033 does not create significant tension with the WMAP-7 ΛCDM cosmology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of conventional TENS in women affected by chronic facial myalgia., Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 49 women affected by chronic facial myalgia randomly allocated in the TENS group (34 women) and the control group (15 women). The subjective level of pain was assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale indicating the mean (VAS MEAN), the maximum (VAS MAX) and the current intensity of pain (VAS NOW). The level of pain at the muscular palpation sites was assessed by the Pericranial Muscle Tenderness Score (PTS) and the Cervical Muscle Tenderness Score (CTS). The TENS therapy lasted for 10 weeks, and data were collected at baseline, after 5, 10, 15 and 25 weeks. The differences between groups before and after treatment were compared with the Mann-Whitney and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. The intra-group differences were compared with the one-way ANOVA test., Results: The results showed that the VAS MEAN, VAS MAX, PTS and CTS were significantly reduced in the TENS group compared to the control group after 10 weeks of TENS (p < 0.05). The intra-group analysis revealed a decreasing tendency of VAS MEAN, VAS MAX, VAS NOW, PTS and CTS in the TENS group in a 25-week period (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: The study demonstrated the efficacy of conventional TENS in patients with chronic facial myalgia and the decrease in both subjective and objective pain., Clinical Relevance: Conventional TENS is a safe, non-invasive, easy-to-administer therapy for chronic facial myalgia.

One hundred and eighteen clinical records of soldiers attending the Psychological Unit of the Ospedale Militare "A. Riberi" in Turin were included in the study. Records assessed according to the "Somatization Index" and the scores obtained were analysed using statistical methods (t test) according to the following parameters: geographical origin of the family (North/South); place of residence (southern Italians resident in the South/southern Italians resident in the North, and rural/urban environment); educational level (5th class in primary school/upper secondary school). A substantial overlapping was observed between the groups studied. Various hypotheses can be put forward: 1) the index is not capable of distinguishing between expressiveness in psychic terms and expressiveness in somatic terms in relation to the patient's psychosocial malaise; 2) the results of the index are valid and may be interpreted in the following ways: a) the Italian population is homogeneous with regard to the modes of expressing and communicating psychosocial malaise; b) the results obtained are influenced by the excessive homogeneity of the sample studied in terms of age; c) the results obtained are biased by the strong reactive nature of the soldier's psychological problems with respect to Military Service: the reaction has characteristics of immediacy and should therefore be interpreted as a maladjustment which is experienced and expressed in a psychic context; d) the results are influenced by the name of the place of study ("psychological unit") and by the "civil" appearance of its workers.