Shibire, a common Japanese term for abnormal somatosensory experience, often coexists with pain. Its ambiguity impedes clinical communication and research. We investigated the interpersonal differences in Shibire’s definitions and prevalence in a Japanese cohort. A nationwide internet–based survey of 1,000 Japanese adults was conducted. Participants defined Shibire by endorsing one or more of three components: Positive sensory symptoms (PSS), Negative sensory symptoms (NSS), and Perceived motor weakness (PMW). We also assessed the prevalence and intensity of Shibire and coexisting pain using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and characterized coexisting pain using the Short–Form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF–MPQ–2). The point prevalence of Shibire was 22.5%. Among the 581 valid respondents, the most frequently endorsed component for the definition of Shibire was PSS (85.7%), followed by PMW (64.5%), and NSS (56.5%). While Shibire could be defined by a single component or a combination of components, the largest subgroup (37.9%) defined it as a combination of all three components. The overall intensity of Shibire correlated most strongly with PSS intensity (ρ = 0.79), and multiple regression analysis identified PSS as the factor most strongly associated with Shibire intensity (β = 0.64). The NSS component correlated with the SF–MPQ–2 "numbness" descriptor. Individuals perceive Shibire as a complex, multicomponent experience or a single sensation. Shibire is a multifaceted term that covers the positive sensory, negative sensory, and motor domains. Its high prevalence is a significant public health concern. To ensure accurate diagnosis and research, clinicians should deconstruct the complaint of Shibire by asking patients to specify its components.
Yamamoto et al. (2026) studied this question.