Electroencephalographic Patterns in Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review of the Literature

The main objective of this study is to review and summarize recent findings on electroencephalographic patterns in individuals with chronic pain. We also discuss recent advances in the use of quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG) for the assessment of pathophysiology and biopsychosocial factors...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2016-02, Vol.11 (2), p.e0149085-e0149085
Main Authors: Pinheiro, Eulália Silva dos Santos, de Queirós, Fernanda Costa, Montoya, Pedro, Santos, Cleber Luz, do Nascimento, Marion Alves, Ito, Clara Hikari, Silva, Manuela, Nunes Santos, David Barros, Benevides, Silvia, Miranda, José Garcia Vivas, Sá, Katia Nunes, Baptista, Abrahão Fontes
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analgesics
Analysis
Athletic taping
Biology and Life Sciences
Brain
Brain research
Chronic pain
Chronic Pain - diagnosis
Chronic Pain - physiopathology
Clinical trials
Cognitive ability
Cognitive tasks
Correlation analysis
Data collection
Development and progression
Diagnosis
EEG
Electroencephalography
Electroencephalography - methods
Evoked potentials
Health care
Health sciences
Humans
Laboratory animals
Literature reviews
Longitudinal studies
Medical research
Medicine
Medicine and Health Sciences
Nervous system
Pain
Physical therapy
Public health
Quality Control
Research and Analysis Methods
Reviews
Sensory stimulation
Studies
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation-TENS
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Summary:The main objective of this study is to review and summarize recent findings on electroencephalographic patterns in individuals with chronic pain. We also discuss recent advances in the use of quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG) for the assessment of pathophysiology and biopsychosocial factors involved in its maintenance over time. Data collection took place from February 2014 to July 2015 in PubMed, SciELO and PEDro databases. Data from cross-sectional studies and longitudinal studies, as well as clinical trials involving chronic pain participants were incorporated into the final analysis. Our primary findings related to chronic pain were an increase of theta and alpha EEG power at rest, and a decrease in the amplitude of evoked potentials after sensory stimulation and cognitive tasks. This review suggests that qEEG could be considered as a simple and objective tool for the study of brain mechanisms involved in chronic pain, as well as for identifying the specific characteristics of chronic pain condition. In addition, results show that qEEG probably is a relevant outcome measure for assessing changes in therapeutic studies.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0149085