Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41667877›Full record

SynthesisNeurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology2026

Human assumed central sensitization in interictal migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Elise Cnockaert, Mira Meeus, Barbara Cagnie, Marjolein Chys, Carmel Steverlynck, Matthijs Moerkerke, Jessica Van Oosterwijck

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Elise CnockaertDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7497-0304
Mira MeeusPain in Motion International Research Consortium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2022-5114
Barbara CagnieDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4342-4519
Marjolein ChysDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6277-5309
Carmel SteverlynckDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
Matthijs MoerkerkeDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7133-8418
Jessica Van OosterwijckDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. Jessica.VanOosterwijck@UGent.be.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8946-4383

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the presence of human assumed central sensitization in interictal episodic and chronic migraine patients.

methodA comprehensive literature search was conducted in September 2024 across three databases. Studies evaluating human assumed central sensitization using static or dynamic quantitative sensory testing in adults with interictal migraine were included. Two independent, blinded reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, and assessments of risk of bias and evidence quality. Meta-analyses were conducted using Review Manager. Sixty-two studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, with 37 contributing to the meta-analysis.

resultsFindings, categorized by headache frequency and testing modality, revealed reduced pressure pain thresholds in trigeminal, extra-trigeminal, and pain-free areas in episodic and chronic migraine patients. Other static sensory testing outcomes were inconsistent. Altered defensive reflexes were observed in both groups. No significant differences were found between episodic and chronic migraine regardless of testing method used.

conclusionThese findings support the presence of human assumed central sensitization in interictal episodic and chronic migraine, highlighting the potential benefit of multimodal treatment approaches aimed at central nervous system desensitization. Although different quantitative sensory testing profiles may influence the development of human assumed central sensitization, headache frequency appears to have a limited impact.

Indexed as

Central Nervous System SensitizationMigraine DisordersPain ThresholdHumansNociplastic PainCentral sensitizationMigraineNociplastic painPain thresholdQuantitative sensory testingReflex

Identifiers

PMID41667877

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.