Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)最新文献

{"title":"Efficacy and safety of different acupuncture-related therapies for primary trigeminal neuralgia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.","authors":"Guanxi Ren, Yinsu Chen, Xinyu Zhang, Yaqing Guo, Weijia Peng, Kunping Jia, Jiawen Li, Yulong Shan, Xinyue Qiu, Guofeng Cai","doi":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1854738","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1854738","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) is a debilitating neuropathic pain disorder with limited long-term treatment options. Although acupuncture is widely used, the comparative effectiveness of different acupuncture modalities remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the efficacy and safety of various acupuncture therapies for PTN using a network meta-analysis (NMA).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Randomized controlled trials were identified through a systematic search of seven databases from database inception to 2 March 2026. Outcomes included total effective rate (TER), visual analogue scale (VAS), attack frequency (AF), traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score (TCMSS), and adverse events (AEs). A network meta-analysis was conducted, and treatments were ranked using SUCRA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This network meta-analysis included 58 randomized controlled trials. The results showed that bloodletting therapy was identified as a potentially effective intervention for improving TER (RR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.15-3.47; SUCRA = 95.6%; CINeMA: low certainty) and reducing VAS scores (MD = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01-0.61; SUCRA = 87.4%; CINeMA: very low certainty). In contrast, acupuncture combined with conventional Western medicine performed better in reducing AF (MD = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.02-0.14; SUCRA = 100%; CINeMA: very low certainty), improving TCMSS (SMD = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.07-0.34; SUCRA = 90.7%; CINeMA: very low certainty), and decreasing the risk of AEs (OR=0.18, 95% CI: 0.12-0.28; SUCRA = 73.8%; CINeMA: moderate certainty).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Different acupuncture modalities may offer distinct therapeutic benefits for PTN. Bloodletting therapy showed potential advantages in improving TER and reducing VAS, whereas acupuncture combined with conventional Western medicine appeared to perform better in reducing AF, improving TCMSS, and lowering the risk of AEs. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously because of moderate-to-high heterogeneity across some outcomes and the generally low certainty of the evidence. Further large-scale, multicenter, high-quality randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, PROSPERO (CRD420261339021).</p>","PeriodicalId":73097,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)","volume":"7 ","pages":"1854738"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13410674/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148622862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pain severity trajectory and influencing factors in children with recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a latent variable growth mixture model.","authors":"Hu Ruping, Song Hongjie","doi":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1869523","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1869523","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore the potential categories of pain intensity development trajectory in children with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and analyze the influencing factors of category differences.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Conveniently select 200 children with recurrent aphthous stomatitis treated in our hospital from September 2023 to June 2025 as the research subjects, and retrospectively collect the pain dimension scores of the local body sign scores of oral ulcers at the time of visit (T0), as well as on the third day (T1), seventh day (T2), and fourteenth day (T3) after visit. The optimal number of categories was analyzed and named using a latent variable growth mixture model. Clinical data of the children were collected using a self-designed clinical data questionnaire. Independent influencing factors of potential category differences were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The pain intensity development trajectory of the 200 children with recurrent aphthous stomatitis could be divided into three potential categories: high pain level relief type (68 cases, 34.00%), moderate pain level improvement type (82 cases, 41.00%), and low pain level stable type (50 cases, 25.00%). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that for the high pain relief type, ulcer size, number of ulcers, ulcer type, frequency of attacks, and picky eating are independent influencing factors (<i>P</i> < 0.05); For the moderate pain level improvement type, ulcer classification, frequency of attacks, and picky eating are independent influencing factors (<i>P</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The development trajectory of pain severity in children with recurrent aphthous stomatitis exhibits certain heterogeneity and is influenced by factors such as ulcer size, number of ulcers, ulcer type, frequency of attacks, and picky eating habits. However, there are differences in the influencing factors of different trajectory categories. The above findings can provide reference for identifying high-risk pain trajectory children.</p>","PeriodicalId":73097,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)","volume":"7 ","pages":"1869523"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13384924/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148551710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Iterating the women in pain reduction and improved mood through empowerment intervention.","authors":"Catherine Ann Clair, Natalie G Regier, Sarah L Szanton, Richard L Skolasky, Janiece L Taylor","doi":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1859361","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1859361","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To explain key adaptations made to a depression and pain intervention that addresses inequities in pain outcomes among older women.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>The DAPPER (Depression and Pain Perseverance through Empowered Recovery) pilot study and the Women in PRIME (Pain Reduction and Improved Mood through Empowerment) study were randomized controlled trials using waitlist control designs. DAPPER focused on pain and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older African American women who were pre-frail or frail, while Women in PRIME addressed similar symptoms among middle-aged and older women of all races living with physical disabilities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Ten DAPPER and eight Women in PRIME participants were interviewed post-intervention completion. Qualitative data for both studies was analyzed using a deductive qualitative content analysis approach. Quantitative data included descriptive statistics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven changes were made from the DAPPER Study to the Women in PRIME Study. These changes included 1) Re-naming the intervention; 2) Adding retention practices; 3) Expanding to include women of all races; 4) Switching criterion of (pre)frailty to physical disability; 5) Adding group Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) sessions; 6) Reducing individual nurse visits from 8 to 5 visits; and 7) Switching from saliva to sweat patch for biomarker measurement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The changes made from DAPPER to Women in PRIME resulted in greater retention, participation in the intervention, and participation in the data collection timepoints. A critical component of equity-focused intervention iteration is ensuring that participant input and guidance directly shape the modifications and adaptations that advance the intervention toward larger scale trials.</p>","PeriodicalId":73097,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)","volume":"7 ","pages":"1859361"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13381692/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148610738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the predictive capacity of smartphone-based digital phenotyping to monitor pain and physical quality of life in advanced cancer patients, family caregivers, and dyads.","authors":"Kristen Allen-Watts, Andres Azuero, Kyungmi Lee, Erin R Harrell, Erin Currie, Avery C Bechthold, Sally Engler, Kayleigh Curry, Frank Puga, Natashia Bibriescas, Arif H Kamal, Christine S Ritchie, George Demiris, Alexi A Wright, Marie A Bakitas, Burel R Goodin, J Nicholas Odom","doi":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1767157","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1767157","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pain is among the most prevalent and distressing symptoms in advanced cancer, impairing physical, emotional, and social well-being. Management often requires support from family caregivers, whose own health and psychological well-being may also be adversely affected. This study examined the potential utility of digital phenotyping-moment-to-moment quantification of individual-level human behavior-to assess pain and physical quality of life (QOL) in patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients with advanced cancer (<i>n</i> = 14) and their caregivers (<i>n</i> = 32) installed the Beiwe smartphone application, which enabled passive GPS data collection over 24 weeks. Raw GPS data were processed into daily mobility features and aggregated using biweekly moving averages and variability measures. Participants completed PROMIS measures of pain (intensity and interference) and physical QOL every 6 weeks. Within-person regression models were used to examine associations between changes in passive mobility features and changes in outcomes, with adjusted R² interpreted as effect size (small = 0.02, medium = 0.13, large = 0.26).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Caregiver GPS-derived mobility features predicted a large proportion of variance in patient pain intensity (R² = 0.31) and pain interference (R² = 0.32). Combined caregiver and patient mobility data predicted large variance in caregiver physical QOL (R² = 0.43) and medium-to-large variance in patient pain intensity (R² = 0.16) and pain interference (R² = 0.33). Patient mobility features alone predicted small variance in caregiver physical QOL (R² = 0.02). When examining patient data predicting patient outcomes, mobility features were associated with small variance in physical QOL (R² = 0.03), pain intensity (R² = 0.05), and pain interference (R² = 0.08).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings suggest that digital phenotyping may be a useful approach for predicting pain and physical QOL in advanced cancer, particularly when incorporating both patient and caregiver data. Further research is warranted to evaluate digital phenotyping as a novel method for monitoring symptoms and functional outcomes in advanced cancer care.</p>","PeriodicalId":73097,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)","volume":"7 ","pages":"1767157"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13381520/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148610725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of tegileridine at different doses in patients with postoperative pain: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.","authors":"Shanhui Yuan, Hui Ji, Yuntao Lu, Zhenyu Li, Junnan Wang, Hui Tang","doi":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1860136","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1860136","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of tegileridine at different doses in patients with postoperative acute pain through a meta-analysis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic literature search was conducted across six databases from their inception to 24 March 2026 to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving tegileridine for the treatment of postoperative acute pain. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of four cohorts from three RCTs involving 1,011 patients were included. Compared with placebo, tegileridine significantly reduced rSPID24 and rSPID12, demonstrating superior analgesic efficacy. Compared with morphine, there was no significant difference at rSPID12; however, tegileridine exhibited significantly weaker efficacy than morphine at rSPID24. Safety analyses revealed that although the total adverse events with tegileridine were higher than with placebo, it remained comparable to that of morphine. The incidence of nausea and vomiting with tegileridine was similar to that with placebo and significantly lower than that with morphine. No significant difference was observed in the incidence of respiratory depression between tegileridine and morphine.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This meta-analysis demonstrates that the efficacy of tegileridine was significantly superior to that of placebo, and it had a more favorable safety profile than morphine regarding nausea and vomiting, suggesting its potential as a viable alternative for postoperative acute pain.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/view/CRD420261364062/1/0], PROSPERO CRD420261364062.</p>","PeriodicalId":73097,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)","volume":"7 ","pages":"1860136"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13376256/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148581537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Low dose naltrexone for fibromyalgia: case series demonstrating pain relief and other health benefits.","authors":"Adrienne Junek, Mya Anderson","doi":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1731455","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1731455","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder with multiple proposed etiologies. Pharmacological treatments approved for fibromyalgia are few and not always effective; therefore, some practitioners use off-label medications such as low dose naltrexone (LDN). This case series presents a retrospective chart review of patients who were prescribed LDN for fibromyalgia at an integrative medicine clinic over a 2-year period. Outcomes assessed included pain relief, other health benefits, side effects and prescription habits. Of 10 patients identified, LDN provided substantial pain relief for 8 patients (-4.7/10 points, average -3.75/10 for all 10 patients, <i>p</i> < 0.001). These same patients also reported other important health benefits such better quality of life in 6 patients, reductions in pain flares in 5 patients, improved sleep in 4 patients, improved cognitive functioning in 2 patients, and cessation of other pain medications in 4 patients. Two patients discontinued LDN due to side effects, which in both cases was increased pain. LDN was well tolerated overall, although reported side effects included increased pain, vivid dreams, insomnia and irritability. LDN's proposed mechanism involving hormesis at opioid receptors and its implications for customized dosing in clinical care and research trials are discussed. While not all patients respond to LDN, this medication shows promise as an effective and safe intervention and deserves to be considered as a treatment recommendation for fibromyalgia.</p>","PeriodicalId":73097,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)","volume":"7 ","pages":"1731455"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13372990/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148474612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adapting to life with chronic migraine: a qualitative study of lived experiences among multi-ethnic Asian patients.","authors":"Yasmin Idu Jion, Jun Ying Hor, Jun Zhi Teh, Yi Jing Zhao, Chai Ching Ng, Jiao Jiao Dang, Nijanth Manohararaj, Chew Seah Tan, Sungwon Yoon","doi":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1825004","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1825004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic migraine is associated with greater disability, productivity losses and reduced quality of life compared to episodic migraine. Limited research has explored the multi-faceted burden of chronic migraine from patients' perspectives and experiences, particularly in the Asian context. This study aims to explore the burden of chronic migraine through the lived experience of multi-ethnic Asian patients and to identify gaps in migraine awareness, service provision and clinical management.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a qualitative study design involving semi-structured interviews with patients with chronic migraine recruited from a Neurology outpatient clinic in a large tertiary hospital in Singapore. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and transcribed verbatim. Inductive thematic analysis was performed to identify key themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>17 participants with chronic migraine took part in the study. 4 main themes were identified which illustrate the substantial burden of chronic migraine: 1) Living with migraine long-term; 2) Dealing with stigma; 3) Navigating the healthcare journey; and 4) Regaining agency and validation. Participants described physical, psychosocial and financial consequences that disrupted their daily roles and sense of self. Stigma and the invisibility of chronic migraine compounded this burden. Participants demonstrated strong efforts to regain agency through lifestyle modifications, complementary therapies and peer support, despite limited treatment options and persistent uncertainty.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provided insights into the lived experience of chronic migraine among multi-ethnic Asian patients. Our findings highlight the importance of culturally sensitive and patient-centred approaches that validate patients' experiences, address stigma, and integrate psychosocial as well as medical needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":73097,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)","volume":"7 ","pages":"1825004"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13372775/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148474580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cellular and molecular changes in the skin driving increased nociception and pain during burn injury and repair.","authors":"Chiara Nappi, Francisco J Taberner","doi":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1797161","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1797161","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Burn injuries are among the most frequent traumas associated with human activity and primarily affect the skin. Unlike other forms of tissue injury, burns produce a unique combination of extensive tissue destruction, rapid release of damage-associated signals, and profound alterations in cutaneous architecture. These injury-specific features generate a robust inflammatory environment and early neuroimmune activation that can transition into neuropathic pain. Together, they drive marked peripheral sensitization and, in some cases, evolve into pain chronification, substantially affecting long-term quality of life in burn survivors. This review synthesizes current evidence on how thermal injury reshapes the function of key cutaneous cell populations, including keratinocytes, epidermal stem cells, melanocytes, fibroblasts, and immune cells, and how these changes modulate nociceptor activity through inflammatory, neurotrophic, and neuroimmune pathways. Furthermore, we describe how burn-induced cellular dysregulation contributes to peripheral sensitization across the continuum of wound healing, from acute inflammation to tissue repair. By integrating emerging mechanistic insights, this review highlights therapeutic targets aimed at minimizing subacute pain and preventing or mitigating chronic pain after burn injury.</p>","PeriodicalId":73097,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)","volume":"7 ","pages":"1797161"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13373096/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148474538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Tai Chi on pain, functional dysfunction, and sleep in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Cenhui Xu, Huaimeng Cui, Tongtong Hao","doi":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1852975","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1852975","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study systematically evaluated the effects of Tai Chi on pain, functional disability, and sleep quality in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched CNKI, WanFang, VIP, China Biology Medicine Database, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Tai Chi for CNLBP. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool and the PEDro scale. Meta-analysis was used to pool the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eight RCTs involving 526 patients with CNLBP were included. Meta-analysis showed that Tai Chi significantly reduced pain, improving VAS scores (MD = -1.40, 95% CI: -2.41 to -0.40) and NRS scores. Tai Chi also significantly improved RMDQ scores (MD = -1.67, 95% CI: -2.75 to -0.59) and overall functional disability (SMD = -0.51, 95% CI: -0.90 to -0.12), but did not significantly affect ODI scores (MD = -0.62, 95% CI: -2.53 to 1.29). Moreover, improvements in PSQI scores were not statistically significant (MD = -0.18, 95% CI: -1.82 to 1.45).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Tai Chi can effectively relieve pain and improve functional disability in patients with CNLBP. It is a safe and feasible non-pharmacological rehabilitation approach. However, current evidence is insufficient to confirm its effect on sleep quality. Further high-quality RCTs are needed.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>PROSPERO CRD420261361228.</p>","PeriodicalId":73097,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)","volume":"7 ","pages":"1852975"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13373050/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148474591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diffusion tensor imaging in chronic tension-type headache.","authors":"M Teepker, L Vacik, A M Hermsen, K Menzler, V Mylius, L Timmermann, S Knake, M Belke","doi":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1850836","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpain.2026.1850836","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most common primary headache disorder and chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) is difficult to treat. Despite this clinical importance, the pathophysiology especially of CTTH remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to search for microstructural changes in CTTH to further evaluate the pathogenesis of CTTH.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Nine female patients suffering from CTTH and ten healthy controls matched by age and gender were included. All participants underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan with a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) sequence. From the diffusion tensor the Fractional Anisotropy (FA), the Axial Diffusivity (AD), the Radial Diffusivity (RD), the NODDI parameters, the Orientation Dispersion Index (ODI), and the Neurite Density Index (NDI) were calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Microstructural changes were found in the right cerebellum, tectum, right occipital fusiform gyrus, left inferior temporal gyrus, left cingulate gyrus (anterior and posterior devision), right thalamic radiation, right lateral occipital cortex (inferior division), left cerebellum, left insular cortex, left precuneous, left central opercular cortex, left inferior frontal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, left superior longitudinal fasciculus, and the right paracingulate gyrus.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Patients suffering from CTTH had microstructural changes in multiple brain areas. Those were related to brain regions that belong to or interact with the pain matrix, trigeminal system or association fibers.</p>","PeriodicalId":73097,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)","volume":"7 ","pages":"1850836"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13368757/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148457698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}