Resting-state EEG and MEG showed higher theta and beta power in patients with chronic pain compared to healthy participants, but no clear associations with pain relief or intensity were found.
Systematic Review (n=76)
Can resting-state EEG and MEG serve as reliable biomarkers for chronic pain in adult patients?
Resting-state EEG and MEG show potential as diagnostic biomarkers for chronic pain through elevated theta and beta power, but currently lack clear evidence for monitoring pain intensity or relief.
ABSTRACT: Reliable and objective biomarkers promise to improve the assessment and treatment of chronic pain. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) is broadly available, easy to use, and cost efficient and, therefore, appealing as a potential biomarker of chronic pain. However, results of EEG studies are heterogeneous. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42021272622) of quantitative resting-state EEG and magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies in adult patients with different types of chronic pain. We excluded populations with severe psychiatric or neurologic comorbidity. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Semiquantitative data synthesis was conducted using modified albatross plots. We included 76 studies after searching MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE. For cross-sectional studies that can serve to develop diagnostic biomarkers, we found higher theta and beta power in patients with chronic pain than in healthy participants. For longitudinal studies, which can yield monitoring and/or predictive biomarkers, we found no clear associations of pain relief with M/EEG measures. Similarly, descriptive studies that can yield diagnostic or monitoring biomarkers showed no clear correlations of pain intensity with M/EEG measures. Risk of bias was high in many studies and domains. Together, this systematic review synthesizes evidence on how resting-state M/EEG might serve as a diagnostic biomarker of chronic pain. Beyond, this review might help to guide future M/EEG studies on the development of pain biomarkers.
Zebhauser et al. (Mon,) conducted a systematic review in chronic pain (n=76). Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) vs. healthy participants was evaluated on theta and beta power. Resting-state EEG and MEG showed higher theta and beta power in patients with chronic pain compared to healthy participants, but no clear associations with pain relief or intensity were found.