EXPRESS: Pain Variability in Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review

Mol Pain. 2026 Apr 9:17448069261439609. doi: 10.1177/17448069261439609. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To present the first systematic review on the empirical evidence for variations in intraindividual pain intensity in patients with long-term pain conditions.

METHODS: The search was conducted on Medline and included prospective longitudinal non-interventional studies done on adult human subjects with chronic pain conditions linked to nociplastic pain mechanisms. Abstract screening and full-text review were performed by 2 independent reviewers. A third reviewer was consulted in case of disagreement.

RESULTS: Of the 1195 results, 13 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria as determined by abstract screening and full-text review performed by 2 independent reviewers. Studies included patients with fibromyalgia, low back pain, temporomandibular disorder and, because of the growing evidence for central sensitization, osteoarthritis. Findings showed consistent evidence of intraindividual pain variability in patients with nociplastic pain, regardless of diagnosis. In several studies, it was possible to cluster patients based on degree of pain variability.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide evidence of intraindividual variability in pain intensity in patients with pain conditions that includes nociplastic pain mechanisms, regardless of precise diagnosis. Preliminary evidence suggests that degree of intraindividual pain variability may be associated with measures of clinical relevance, including mental health, fatigue, physical activity level, and drug and placebo response.

PMID:41953999 | DOI:10.1177/17448069261439609