Cited by 4Pain Management and TreatmentFibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ResearchPain Mechanisms and Treatments

Sensory processing in medically unexplained pain syndrome. A systematic review

Open access
Quodling, Nicole, Hoffman, Norman, Carrick, Frederick Robert, Jemni, Monèm·2025·Frontiers in Pain Research

Abstract

Chronic pain is inherently multifactorial, with biological, psychological and social factors contributing to neuropathic pain (NP) and central sensitization (CS) syndromes. Comorbidity between functional disorders and the lack of clinical biomarkers adds to the challenge of diagnosis and treatment, leading to frustration for healthcare professionals and patients. The main objective of this review is to investigate the association between NP, CS syndromes and sensory processing disorders. A structured search was conducted on the PubMed database using the keywords Central Sensitization, Fibromyalgia, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and Neuropathic Pain, combined with the keywords Vision, Audition, Olfaction, Touch, Taste, and Proprioception. PubMed was chosen because it is accessible and user-friendly. Articles within the last five years, from 2018 to 2023, have been included. 380 studies on conditions of CS and sensory processing were identified. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, the number of retained papers was 78. There were a few emerging themes. Reduced sensory thresholds were found to be comorbid with chronic pain conditions, particularly those with a component of CS. Both cranial nerve and sensory evaluation examinations may prove helpful as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and for potential treatments.

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Crossref · 10.3389/fpain.2025.1584227

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  1. [18]Dydyk AM Givler A. Central Pain Syndrome. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing LLC (2024). 31971703

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Authors
Quodling, N., Hoffman, N., Carrick, F. R., & Jemni, M.
Affiliations
  • Carrick Institute (US)
  • University of Central Florida (US)
  • Ningbo University (CN)
Corresponding author
Quodling, Nicole
Venue
Frontiers in Pain Research
Published
2025-06-06
Volume
6
Pages
1584227-1584227
ISSN
2673-561X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4411107441
Cited by
4
References
87
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2
FWCI
1.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Frontiers in Pain Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Apollo (University of Cambridge) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine › Pain Management and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
Keywords
sensory processing disorders, medically unexplained pain, central sensitization, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, chronic pain, sensory threshold, cranial nerve examination, sensory evaluation, biomarkers, comorbidities

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