Table 2.

Summary of the results

Network metrics		Noxious versus innocuous	Painful versus non-painful	Interpretation
Shortest path length		↑	↑	• Noxious stimulation results in fewer
Clustering coefficient		↑	↑	networks with more efficient intra-
Small-world-ness		↓	↓ (~)	network connectivity and greater
Modularity		↓	↑	resistance to disruption. Connectivity
Assortativity		↑	ns	between networks is reduced. High pain experience was associated with similar changes. Modularity differences between analyses may reflect competing changes in within- and between-network connectivity (see below)
Modules		• Innocuous condition: 8 subsystems. • Noxious condition: 4 subsystems. (Components of the ION, SCN, CCN and SMN were reorganized to form the PS)	• Non-painful condition: 6 subsystems (NMI (non-painful and innocuous) = 0.4287). • Painful condition: 4 subsystems (NMI (painful and noxious) = 0.4283).	• There are fewer modules (networks) during painful stimulation and high-pain experience
Hubs	Whole brain	• Concentrated within the PS in noxious condition.		• Brain regions within the PS become more densely connected during painful stimulation
		• Distributed broadly across multiple systems in innocuous condition.
	Provincial	↑	↑	• Increased intra-module communication
	Connector	↓	↓	• Decreased inter-module communication
Connections	Within PS	↑	ns	• Increased information transfer within the PS
	Between systems	↓		• Disrupted communication between the PS and OS
		(between PS and OS)	ns

Notes. ns, non-significant; “~” indicates the alteration is marginally significant.