Christopher Keating, Emilio Puentedura, Ann Lucado, Joshua Cleland
{"title":"Exploring the Relationship Between Central Sensitization, Pain Characteristics, and Function in a Cross-Sectional Study of Individuals with Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy.","authors":"Christopher Keating, Emilio Puentedura, Ann Lucado, Joshua Cleland","doi":"10.1097/AJP.0000000000001335","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000001335","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the relationship between central sensitization, pain intensity, pain interference, and function in individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy, and to determine the influence of psychological factors such as anxiety and depression. A cohort study involving comprehensive assessments to explore associations between neurophysiological and psychological factors in lateral elbow tendinopathy patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants diagnosed with lateral elbow tendinopathy underwent evaluations including the Central Sensitization Inventory, neurophysiological measures, and psychological assessments (anxiety and depression scales). Pain intensity and interference were measured, along with patient-specific functional scores to assess functional ability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Elevated Central Sensitization Inventory scores were significantly associated with increased continuous pain intensity, highlighting the role of central sensitization in pain perception. Psychological factors, particularly anxiety and depression, correlated closely with higher pain intensity. Two-point discrimination emerged as a statistically significant predictor of functional ability, suggesting that functional impairment may involve multifaceted factors including neurophysiological measures.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The findings underscore the importance of identifying central sensitization and psychological factors to develop targeted, biopsychosocial interventions for lateral elbow tendinopathy. Recognizing the contribution of central mechanisms and emotional health can improve personalized treatment strategies, ultimately enhancing recovery and quality of life. The study emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive assessments that extend beyond pain severity to include psychological evaluations.</p>","PeriodicalId":50678,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145287704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gabrielle Campbell, Hanafi Mohamad Husin, Jessica A Kerr, S Ghazaleh Dashti, Craig A Olsson, George C Patton, Thomas Santo, Ria E Hopkins, Louisa Degenhardt, Susan M Sawyer
{"title":"Mid-life Social and Health Outcomes Associated with early onset chronic NON-Cancer Pain: Findings from the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study.","authors":"Gabrielle Campbell, Hanafi Mohamad Husin, Jessica A Kerr, S Ghazaleh Dashti, Craig A Olsson, George C Patton, Thomas Santo, Ria E Hopkins, Louisa Degenhardt, Susan M Sawyer","doi":"10.1097/AJP.0000000000001331","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000001331","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Little is known about how those with early life experiences of chronic pain fare in middle adulthood. The current study examines the association of adolescent, young adult and adult chronic pain onset with middle-age socio-demographic, physical and mental health and substance use profiles.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study (VAHCS) commenced in 1992 as a population-representative sample of 1,943 14-15-year-old adolescents who have been followed across 11 waves into middle adulthood. We analysed data from Wave 11 (2019-2021, n=1,412, age 43 years [mid-life]) to describe the mid-life socio-demographic, physical and mental health and substance use profiles of those who retrospectively reported adolescent (10-24 y), young adult (25-34 y) and adult (35-44 y) onset chronic pain. We also describe associations by sex at birth.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Two in five participants (41%) reported experiencing chronic pain by age 43 years. This was higher in females than males (44.6% vs. 36.4%, respectively). Of these, just under half (45%) reported adolescent-onset chronic pain, 30% reported young adult-onset and 25% reported adult-onset chronic pain. Compared to later onset pain, adolescent-onset was associated with a greater risk for financial hardship (particularly in males), past 12-month major illness, generalised anxiety disorder (among males) and more frequent cannabis use in mid-adult life.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Our findings suggest that chronic pain in midlife commonly starts early, across adolescence and young adulthood, and that many with earlier life histories of chronic pain are not faring well across a range of indicators in middle adult life, particularly those with the onset of chronic pain in adolescence.</p>","PeriodicalId":50678,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145287664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julia R Craner, Andrea J Fromson, Kayla B Moore, Eric S Lake, Arianna E A Perra, Teri Holwerda
{"title":"Longitudinal Outcomes for a 10-week Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program.","authors":"Julia R Craner, Andrea J Fromson, Kayla B Moore, Eric S Lake, Arianna E A Perra, Teri Holwerda","doi":"10.1097/AJP.0000000000001333","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000001333","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Chronic pain is an important public health problem. Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (IPRPs) demonstrate immediate and long-term improvements in pain, functioning, and overall quality of life for individuals with chronic pain. However, data on treatment durability for different program models and patient populations are limited. The purpose of this study was to examine long-term outcomes of a 10-week IPRP.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>398 adults with chronic pain were treated at a rehabilitation hospital between February 2019 and May 2021 in an intensive 10-week outpatient interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program consisting of physical therapy, occupational therapy, pain psychology, and medical management. Participants completed measures of pain ratings, pain interference, depressed mood, anxiety, physical functioning and pain catastrophizing at intake, discharge, and 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months posttreatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 34.7% of participants returned post program surveys at 3 months, 26.9% at 6 months, 17.6% at 9 months, and 15.6% at 12 months. Participants were primarily female (79.1%), White/Caucasian (79.4%) and married (51.5%) with an average age of 49.30±15.29 years. The results demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvement across all outcome measures comparing intake to discharge. While there was some deterioration of treatment gains over time, all measures remained improved at all time points compared to intake.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>A 10-week IPRP model can improve pain and functioning in a population of participants with heterogenous chronic pain conditions in a community setting, providing durable improvements over time. These results add to the body of literature supporting IPRPs as an effective intervention for chronic pain.</p>","PeriodicalId":50678,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145281659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Letter to the Editor regarding \"Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for Management of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)\".","authors":"Michal Hajek, Miloslav Klugar","doi":"10.1097/AJP.0000000000001332","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000001332","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50678,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145259948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lisa R Miller-Matero, Emily P Morris, Brittany Christopher, Celeste Pappas, Timothy Chrusciel, Joanne Salas, Lauren Wilson, Scott Secrest, Mark D Sullivan, Ryan W Carpenter, Patrick J Lustman, Brian K Ahmedani, Jeffrey F Scherrer
{"title":"Social Determinants of Health among Individuals Receiving Opioids for Pain Management.","authors":"Lisa R Miller-Matero, Emily P Morris, Brittany Christopher, Celeste Pappas, Timothy Chrusciel, Joanne Salas, Lauren Wilson, Scott Secrest, Mark D Sullivan, Ryan W Carpenter, Patrick J Lustman, Brian K Ahmedani, Jeffrey F Scherrer","doi":"10.1097/AJP.0000000000001329","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000001329","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Individuals receiving opioids for pain management are at risk for negative outcomes. However, it is not clear whether social determinants of health (SDOH) predict outcomes a year after starting a prescription opioid. The purpose was to examine associations between SDOH with psychiatric-, pain-, and opioid-related outcomes at a 12-month follow-up.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants (N=783) with a new period of 30-90-day opioid use completed baseline and 12-month follow-up questionnaires regarding SDOH, depressive symptoms, pain severity, pain interference, and opioid use. Multivariate adjusted models estimated the association between SDOH and outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants had a mean age of 53.4 years (SD=11.9), 71.2% White race, and 69.9% women. Older age (OR=0.97; 0.95, 0.99) and Black race (OR=0.45; 0.27, 0.76) were inversely associated with depression, while being widowed/divorced/separated (OR=1.72; 1.01, 2.91) and lacking college education (OR=2.43; 1.25, 4.73) were positively associated with depression. Women (OR=1.56; 1.12, 2.18) and lower income (OR=2.09; 1.14, 3.85) were associated with greater odds of opioid use, while unemployment was associated with lower odds of opioid use at 12 months (OR=0.55; 0.34, 0.89). Older age (OR=0.95; 0.91, 0.99) was inversely associated with opioid use concerns while disability (OR=4.59; 1.60, 13.11) was positively associated.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Several SDOH variables were associated with poorer functioning at baseline and 12-months after individuals were prescribed an opioid. It may be useful for clinicians to screen for SDOH to identify higher-risk individuals.</p>","PeriodicalId":50678,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jelena Forget, Larissa Kalisch, David Attali, Raffaella Calati, Gabriele Torino, Philippe Courtet, Carolina Baeza-Velasco
{"title":"Psychopathological and Psychosocial Factors Associated with suicide-related Outcomes in Patients with non-malignant Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Jelena Forget, Larissa Kalisch, David Attali, Raffaella Calati, Gabriele Torino, Philippe Courtet, Carolina Baeza-Velasco","doi":"10.1097/AJP.0000000000001328","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000001328","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Non-malignant chronic pain patients are at increased risk for suicide, making it essential to identify factors associated with suicide-related outcomes (suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide death) in this population. This study aims to explore the psychopathological and psychosocial factors related to suicide-related outcomes in individuals with non-malignant chronic pain.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A systematic review was conducted by searching databases including PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase, and Cochrane using predefined keywords and a systematic search strategy to identify psychopathological and psychosocial factors associated with suicide-related outcomes in adults with non-malignant chronic pain.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 49 studies identified 17 factors associated with suicide-related outcomes in non-malignant chronic pain: 11 psychopathological, including schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, bipolar and related disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, trauma and stressor-related disorders, personality disorders, unspecified psychopathology, substance-related and addictive disorders, somatic symptom and related disorders, and sleep-wake disorders; and 6 psychosocial, including health-related quality of life, impact of pain/pain-related beliefs, coping strategies, interpersonal relationships, psychological and emotional state, and life events.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This systematic review highlights the variety of psychopathological and psychosocial factors associated with suicide-related outcomes in non-malignant chronic pain, underscoring the necessity of integrating these aspects to improve pain management and patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":50678,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Floris V Raasveld, Maxime R A Tiems, Benjamin R Johnston, Omar Moussa, Ian L Valerio, David Hao, J Henk Coert, Kyle R Eberlin
{"title":"Diagnostic Criteria for Centralized Pain Following Peripheral Nerve Injury: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Floris V Raasveld, Maxime R A Tiems, Benjamin R Johnston, Omar Moussa, Ian L Valerio, David Hao, J Henk Coert, Kyle R Eberlin","doi":"10.1097/AJP.0000000000001326","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000001326","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) resulting from trauma or surgery can lead to neuropathic pain and, in some cases progress to centralized pain. This condition significantly affects patients' quality of life and functional abilities. However, diagnostic criteria for centralized pain following PNI remain poorly defined, complicating patient identification and treatment. This systematic review aims to assess current diagnostic approaches and propose evidence-based criteria for clinical diagnosis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CENTRAL was conducted for studies assessing diagnostic approaches for centralized pain following PNI. Included studies addressed clinical characteristics, diagnostic tests, or signs of centralized pain after PNI. Exclusion criteria included acute pain studies (<3 months), pediatric patients, and non-English articles.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 950 citations screened, 28 studies (6,189 patients) were included. Based on the synthesized evidence, we propose the following diagnostic criteria for centralized pain following PNI: (1)documented peripheral nervous system injury or compression, (2)neuropathic pain persisting for three months, (3)hyperalgesia, allodynia, or other forms of hypersensitivity extending beyond the primary zone of injury, (4)associated mood/cognitive disturbances, and (5)limited response to peripheral nerve blocks, defined as less than <50% pain reduction, if performed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study proposes a comprehensive, evidence-based diagnostic framework for centralized pain following PNI. The algorithm combines clinical criteria with optional diagnostic testing, providing a practical approach for diagnosis that accounts for variability in access to advanced diagnostic tools. By standardizing the diagnostic process, the framework aims to enhance patient identification and support appropriate treatment selection in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":50678,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145114926","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ailyn Garcia-Hernandez, Pablo de la Coba, Stephen Bruehl, Stefan Duschek, Gustavo A Reyes Del Paso
{"title":"Pain Sensitization and Descending Pain Inhibition in Fibromyalgia.","authors":"Ailyn Garcia-Hernandez, Pablo de la Coba, Stephen Bruehl, Stefan Duschek, Gustavo A Reyes Del Paso","doi":"10.1097/AJP.0000000000001327","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000001327","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Both facilitation of ascending nociceptive pathways and impaired inhibition of descending ones may contribute to pain sensitization in fibromyalgia (FM). The slowly repeated evoked pain (SREP) protocol is a potential diagnostic marker for this sensitization. Though its mechanisms are unclear, SREP appears linked to ascending facilitation, while the role of descending inhibitory dysfunction in SREP sensitization remains to be clarified.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To quantify descending pain inhibition in FM compared to healthy individuals and to assess its relationship with pain sensitization via SREP. Additionally, associations between descending pain inhibition and clinical symptoms were examined.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In 55 women with FM and 45 healthy women, descending pain inhibition was estimated using the conditioned pain modulation (CPM) paradigm, with interdigital web pinching as the conditioning stimulus. The use of SREP protocol consisted of applying pressure stimuli to the nail of the third finger of the non-dominant hand. Clinical symptoms were assessed using questionnaires.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>SREP sensitization was stronger and CPM smaller in FM patients than in healthy women. In FM patients, SREP sensitization was inversely associated with CPM, and both related to clinical symptoms. Patients who did not show CPM reported greater severity of FM symptoms and higher anxiety and fatigue levels than those who showed CPM.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Impaired endogenous pain inhibition contributes to pain sensitization in FM and may partly explain SREP sensitization. This reduced pain inhibition could also underlie the clinical symptoms commonly seen in FM. Future research may clarify altered balance between ascending and descending pain processes in FM.</p>","PeriodicalId":50678,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145114840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gwen van der Wijk, Hanne Huygelier, Jonas Haslbeck, Andrea W M Evers, Madelon L Peters, Mathijs Teppers, Johan W S Vlaeyen
{"title":"A Network Analysis of Fear-Avoidance Beliefs, Mood and Disability in Chronic Pain.","authors":"Gwen van der Wijk, Hanne Huygelier, Jonas Haslbeck, Andrea W M Evers, Madelon L Peters, Mathijs Teppers, Johan W S Vlaeyen","doi":"10.1097/AJP.0000000000001322","DOIUrl":"10.1097/AJP.0000000000001322","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Although the multifactorial nature of chronic pain is well established, research has predominantly examined isolated variables or singular pathways that may contribute to this condition. We use a complex systems perspective to examine the interplay of psychological factors in the context of chronic pain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed two cross-sectional datasets (N=935 and 1366) collected at a pain clinic and rehabilitation center in Belgium from individuals primarily with musculoskeletal pain. These included self-reported data on pain-related fear and avoidance beliefs, depression and anxiety symptoms, and pain intensity and pain disability. We used Gaussian Graphical Models to examine conditional associations between these variables, their relative importance (having more/stronger relationships), and how they are moderated by pain-related fear and pain intensity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our analyses revealed highly interrelated networks, with several unique, positive associations between the included factors. Depressive symptoms and pain intensity were most strongly related to pain disability. Fear-avoidance beliefs featured less prominently than previous studies looking at this concept in isolation have suggested. Apart from differences in two associations between samples, and two moderation effects of pain intensity in one sample, the network structure was similar across the two samples.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Overall, our results show that psychological factors related to pain disability have intricate interrelations, highlighting the complexity of chronic pain and the need to study its many components in relation to each other. The consistency across the two samples provides encouraging evidence that the results reflect a stable pattern within this complex system.</p>","PeriodicalId":50678,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145031122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Procedural Pain Assessments for Neonates at Risk of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Julianna Lavergne, Erin Langman, Deborah Mansell, Justine Dol, Britney Benoit","doi":"10.1097/AJP.0000000000001325","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000001325","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To identify evidence for pain assessment during acute procedures in hospitalized neonates at risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This scoping review was conducted using the JBI scoping review methodology. The search strategy focused on identifying in-patient neonates undergoing acute painful procedures. Databases searched are MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and Scopus. The relevant data were extracted by two reviewers and the results were summarized in a narrative description and presented in a tabular format including the components of participants, concept, and context (PCC).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 22,731 unique studies were screened, with five studies ultimately included. Of these studies, two included neonates at risk of NOWS but did not report pain responses separately. The three remaining studies observed procedural pain in opioid-exposed neonates compared to neonates without opioid exposure during heel lance. Pain assessment methods included physiologic responses and validated composite pain scores. When using composite pain tools, one study showed higher pain response in opioid-exposed neonates, while the other two studies showed the same or lower pain response. For skin conductance the findings from two studies were discrepant, with one study reporting higher pain response in opioid-exposed neonates and the other showing no statistically significant difference.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>There is a need for more studies designed to examine the influence of opioid exposure and withdrawal on pain responding and management in neonates. As there is currently limited evidence to guide clinical care, clinicians should continue to use validated composite pain assessment tools and pain management strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":50678,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Journal of Pain","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145087988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}