Understanding pain types and the lived experiences of individuals with multiple sclerosis and pain: A mixed methods study
Open accessAbstract
INTRODUCTION: People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) frequently experience pain. Whilst studies have reported pain prevalence in MS, our understanding of protean pain types remain limited. This study examined prevalence and distinct features of pain types in MS, including beliefs on whether pain is MS-related, predictability, and lived experiences. METHODS: Pain data was collected in 2021 among PwMS in Australia, including nine pre-determined pain types, with 1678 included for the quantitative component. Five focus groups were conducted, and thematic analysis was performed to themes. RESULTS: Over half of participants regularly experience pain (53.6 %). Dysesthetic extremity pain (44.6 %) and spasticity-associated pain (42.8 %) were most common. For seven pain types, over 70 % of participants attributed their pain to MS. Over 40 % had constant dysesthetic extremity pain and spasticity-associated pain. Progressive MS patients had higher rates of overall, dysesthetic extremity, and spasticity-associated pain than those with relapsing MS. Qualitative data affirmed that pain was an intrinsic part of daily life. CONCLUSIONS: Over half of individuals experienced pain, mostly attributed to MS. Findings highlight the need for multidisciplinary pain management, as most experience multiple pain requiring distinct treatments. Increasing awareness of pain burden experienced by PwMS could help improve management and health-related quality of life.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
A recent study found that the majority of people with multiple sclerosis experience co-occurring pains, often encompassing multiple phenotypes at once.
“A recent study supports this argument by finding that the majority of pwMS experience co‐occurring pains, often encompassing multiple phenotypes at once (Dagnew et al. 2025).”
From The Prevalence of Neuropathic Pain in Multiple Sclerosis—A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Using the <scp>NeuPSIG</scp> Algorithm (2026) · cites this paper as Dagnew et al. 2025
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Tong, A., Sainsbury, P., & Craig, J. (2007) · International Journal for Quality in Health Care · doi:10.1093/intqhc/mzm042 · Cited by 42,509 · see citing works
Sample Size in Qualitative Interview Studies: Guided by Information Power
Malterud, K., Siersma, V. D., & Guassora, A. D. (2016) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/1049732315617444 · Cited by 12,703 · see citing works
Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research: A Synthesis of Recommendations
O’Brien, B. C., Harris, I. B., Beckman, T. J., Reed, D. A., & Cook, D. A. (2014) · Academic Medicine · doi:10.1097/acm.0000000000000388 · Cited by 12,211 · see citing works
Pain assessment: global use of the Brief Pain Inventory.
Cs, C., & Km, R. (1994) · PubMed · Cited by 5,178 · see citing works
Neuropathic pain: aetiology, symptoms, mechanisms, and management
Woolf, C. J., & Mannion, R. (1999) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(99)01307-0 · Cited by 2,231 · see citing works
Qualitative and Mixed Methods Provide Unique Contributions to Outcomes Research
Curry, L. A., Nembhard, I. M., & Bradley, E. H. (2009) · Circulation · doi:10.1161/circulationaha.107.742775 · Cited by 1,091 · see citing works
Proctor, R. W., & Capaldi, E. J. (2006) · doi:10.1002/9780470773994.ch8 · Cited by 1,014 · see citing works
Pathogenic Mechanisms Associated With Different Clinical Courses of Multiple Sclerosis
Lassmann, H. (2019) · Frontiers in Immunology · doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.03116 · Cited by 678 · see citing works
Clinical Course of Multiple SclerosisPreprint
Klineova, S., & LUBLIN, F. D. (2018) · Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine · doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a028928 · Cited by 404 · see citing works
Anti-spasticity agents for multiple sclerosis
Shakespeare, D. T., Boggild, M., & Young, C. A. (2003) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd001332 · Cited by 271 · see citing works
Prevalence of chronic pain in developing countries: systematic review and meta-analysis
Sá, K. N., Moreira, L. G., Baptista, A. F., Yeng, L. T., Teixeira, M. J., Galhardoni, R., & de Andrade, D. C. (2019) · PAIN Reports · doi:10.1097/pr9.0000000000000779 · Cited by 254 · see citing works
A mechanism-based classification of pain in multiple sclerosis
Truini, A., Barbanti, P., Pozzilli, C., & Cruccu, G. (2012) · Journal of Neurology · doi:10.1007/s00415-012-6579-2 · Cited by 215 · see citing works
Severity of chronic pain and its relationship to quality of life in multiple sclerosis
Kalia, L. V., & O'Connor, P. W. (2005) · Multiple Sclerosis Journal · doi:10.1191/1352458505ms1168oa · Cited by 193 · see citing works
Clifford, D. B., & Trotter, J. L. (1984) · Archives of Neurology · doi:10.1001/archneur.1984.04050230052017 · Cited by 190 · see citing works
Lifetime and actual prevalence of pain and headache in multiple sclerosis
Boneschi, F. M., Colombo, B., Annovazzi, P. O. L., Martinelli, V., Bernasconi, L., Solaro, C. M., & Comı, G. (2008) · Multiple Sclerosis Journal · doi:10.1177/1352458507085551 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
From the prodromal stage of multiple sclerosis to disease prevention
Marrie, R. A., Allegretta, M., Barcellos, L. F., Bebo, B. F., Calabresi, P. A., Correale, J. D., Davis, B. G., Jager, P. L. D., Gasperi, C., Greenbaum, C. J., et al. (2022) · Nature Reviews Neurology · doi:10.1038/s41582-022-00686-x · Cited by 89 · see citing works
The Reliability and Validity of Pain Interference Measures in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis
Osborne, T. L., Raichle, K. A., Jensen, M. P., Ehde, D. M., & Kraft, G. H. (2006) · Journal of Pain and Symptom Management · doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2006.03.008 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
The multiple sclerosis prodrome: Emerging evidence, challenges, and opportunities
Tremlett, H. L., & Marrie, R. A. (2020) · Multiple Sclerosis Journal · doi:10.1177/1352458520914844 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Assessing possible selection bias in a national voluntary MS longitudinal study in Australia
Taylor, B. V., Palmer, A. J., Simpson, S., Lucas, R. M., NZMSPS study group, Simmons, R. D., Mason, D. F., Pearson, J. F., Clarke, G., Sabel, C. E., et al. (2013) · Multiple Sclerosis Journal · doi:10.1177/1352458513481511 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Self-citationCannabis and cannabinoids for symptomatic treatment for people with multiple sclerosis
Filippini, G., Minozzi, S., Borrelli, F., Cinquini, M., & Dwan, K. (2022) · Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd013444.pub2 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Prevalence and Impact of Pain in Multiple Sclerosis: Physical and Psychologic Contributors
Hirsh, A. T., Turner, A. P., Ehde, D. M., & Haselkorn, J. K. (2009) · Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2008.10.019 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Prevalence of Migraine in the Elderly: A Narrated Review
Wijeratne, T., Tang, H. M., Crewther, D. P., & Crewther, S. G. (2019) · Neuroepidemiology · doi:10.1159/000494758 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Characterizing chronic pain phenotypes in multiple sclerosis: a nationwide survey study
Kratz, A. L., Whibley, D., Alschuler, K. N., Ehde, D. M., Williams, D. A., Clauw, D. J., & Braley, T. J. (2020) · Pain · doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002136 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
on behalf of the Neuropathic Pain Special Interest Group of the Italian Neurological Society, Solaro, C. M., Cella, M., Signori, A., Martinelli, V., Radaelli, M., Centonze, D., Sica, F., Grasso, M. G., Clemenzi, A., et al. (2018) · Journal of Neurology · doi:10.1007/s00415-018-8758-2 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
The Prevalence of Pain in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Survey
Drulovic, J. S., Bašić-Kes, V., Grgić, S., Vojinović, S., Dinčić, E., Tončev, G., Gavric-Kezic, M., Kisić-Tepavčević, D., Dujmović, I., Mesaroš, Š., et al. (2015) · Pain Medicine · doi:10.1111/pme.12731 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Headaches in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Might Imply an Inflammatorial Process
Möhrke, J., Kropp, P. A., & Zettl, U. K. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0069570 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Trigeminal Neuralgia Commonly Precedes the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
Fallata, A., Salter, A. R., Tyry, T. M., Cutter, G., & Marrie, R. A. (2017) · International Journal of MS Care · doi:10.7224/1537-2073.2016-065 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Zhang, Y., Taylor, B. V., Simpson, S., Blizzard, L., Campbell, J. A., Palmer, A. J., & van der Mei, I. A. F. (2020) · Multiple Sclerosis Journal · doi:10.1177/1352458520958369 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Self-citationPractical Guide to Mixed Methods
Dossett, L. A., Kaji, A. H., & Dimick, J. B. (2020) · JAMA Surgery · doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2019.4388 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Symptomatology and pathogenesis of different types of pain in multiple sclerosis
Brola, W., Mitosek‐Szewczyk, K., & Opara, J. A. (2014) · Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska · doi:10.1016/j.pjnns.2014.07.009 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
An update on the pharmacological management of pain in patients with multiple sclerosis
Chisari, C. G., Sgarlata, E., Arena, S., D’Amico, E., Toscano, S., & Patti, F. (2020) · Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy · doi:10.1080/14656566.2020.1757649 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Unique features of central neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis: Results of a cluster analysis
Rivel, M., Achiron, A., Dolev, M., Stern, Y., Zeilig, G., & Defrin, R. (2022) · European Journal of Pain · doi:10.1002/ejp.1934 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
[Pain in the course of multiple sclerosis].
Fryze, W., Zaborski, J., & Członkowska, A. (2002) · PubMed · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Vidović, V., Rovazdi, M. Č., Slivar, S. R., Kraml, O., & Kes, V. B. (2014) · PubMed · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Amatya, B., Young, J., & Khan, F. (2018) · Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.rehab.2018.05.227 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Prevalence, Severity of Pain in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Ashtari, F., Valiani, M., Mansourian, M., Mohammadi, S., & Sodouri, M. (2016) · Biomedical & Pharmacology Journal · doi:10.13005/bpj/907 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Ezzy D. Qualitative analysis: Routledge; 2013.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Physiotherapy management of multiple sclerosis
Learmonth, Y. C. (2025) · Journal of physiotherapy · doi:10.1016/j.jphys.2025.11.008 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Jungersen, R. C., Baccaro, V. K., Hvid, L. G., Dalgas, U., & Hoegh, M. (2026) · European Journal of Pain · doi:10.1002/ejp.70375 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Albishi, A. M., Alshammari, Z. S., Almhawas, S. S., Alimam, D. M., Alosaimi, M. H., & Aljarallah, S. (2026) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare14030285
Obsa, M. S., Saul, A., Lefever, K., Campbell, J. A., Laslett, L. L., Dagnew, B., Taylor, B. V., & van der Mei, I. A. F. (2026) · Pain Research and Management · doi:10.1155/prm/9981770
Self-citationExpressions of Pain and Spasticity in People With Stroke
Bhimani, R., Charania, K., Xiong, J., & Anderson, L. (2026) · Journal of Neuroscience Nursing · doi:10.1097/jnn.0000000000000912
- Authors
- Dagnew, B., Campbell, J. A., Laslett, L. L., Honan, C. A., Lefever, K., Taylor, B. V., Saul, A., & van der Mei, I.
- Affiliations
- University of Tasmania (AU)
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Dagnew, Baye
- Campbell, Julie A
- Laslett, Laura L
- Honan, Cynthia A
- Lefever, Kristen
- Taylor, Bruce V
- Saul, Alice
- ORCID
- Venue
- Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2025-12
- Volume
- 104
- Pages
- 106778
- ISSN
- 2211-0348 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4414573034
- Cited by
- 5
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 1
- FWCI
- 3.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Health and Medical Research Council (2009,389, 23\u20130125, 19\u20130207, 23\u20130126, 21\u20133\u2013016)
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
- Keywords
- multiple sclerosis, pain, pain types, pain prevalence, lived experience, progressive multiple sclerosis, relapsing multiple sclerosis, multidisciplinary pain management, health-related quality of life
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Australia, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscle Spasticity, Pain, Focus Groups, Qualitative Research
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
