title: Electroencephalographic Patterns in Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review of the Literature.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program on Medicine and Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.|Laboratory of Functional Electrostimulation, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eulália Silva dos Santos
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Functional Electrostimulation, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Costa
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: de Queirós
authors.affiliation: Research Institute on Health Sciences, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Majorca, Spain.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montoya
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Functional Electrostimulation, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cleber Luz
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program on Medicine and Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.|Laboratory of Functional Electrostimulation, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marion Alves
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: do Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program on Medicine and Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.|Laboratory of Functional Electrostimulation, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Clara Hikari
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program on Medicine and Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.|Laboratory of Functional Electrostimulation, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Functional Electrostimulation, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: David Barros
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Nunes Santos
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Functional Electrostimulation, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.|Department of Speech-Language Therapy & Audiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benevides
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physics, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Garcia Vivas
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Functional Electrostimulation, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.|Graduate and Research Program, Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health, Salvador-BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Katia Nunes
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Sá
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program on Medicine and Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.|Laboratory of Functional Electrostimulation, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil.|Graduate and Research Program, Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health, Salvador-BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Abrahão Fontes
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Baptista
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011786:Quality Control