{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,10]],"date-time":"2026-02-10T17:16:55Z","timestamp":1770743815222,"version":"3.49.0"},"reference-count":28,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,9]]},"DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.103313","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,10]],"date-time":"2026-02-10T01:16:34Z","timestamp":1770686194000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The Effect of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Pain Severity Scores in Patients With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis"],"prefix":"10.7759","author":[{"given":"Zachary J","family":"Buchman","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Josie C","family":"Lorea","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Daniel P","family":"Oar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Dante","family":"DiSilvestro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Logan F","family":"Jay","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Christopher R","family":"Lazo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Megan","family":"Clark","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"297","reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/j.pain.0000000000002951","article-title":"The establishment, maintenance, and adaptation of high- and low-impact chronic pain: a framework for biopsychosocial pain research","volume":"164","author":"Eccleston C","year":"2023","unstructured":"Eccleston C, Begley E, Birkinshaw H, et al.. The establishment, maintenance, and adaptation of high- and low-impact chronic pain: a framework for biopsychosocial pain research. Pain. 2023, 164:2143-7. 10.1097\/j.pain.0000000000002951","journal-title":"Pain"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bja.2019.03.023","article-title":"Chronic pain: a review of its epidemiology and associated factors in population-based studies","volume":"123","author":"Mills SE","year":"2019","unstructured":"Mills SE, Nicolson KP, Smith BH. Chronic pain: a review of its epidemiology and associated factors in population-based studies. Br J Anaesth. 2019, 123:e273-83. 10.1016\/j.bja.2019.03.023","journal-title":"Br J Anaesth"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/bja\/aet123","article-title":"Chronic pain epidemiology and its clinical relevance","volume":"111","author":"van Hecke O","year":"2013","unstructured":"van Hecke O, Torrance N, Smith BH. Chronic pain epidemiology and its clinical relevance. Br J Anaesth. 2013, 111:13-8. 10.1093\/bja\/aet123","journal-title":"Br J Anaesth"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s40122-021-00235-2","article-title":"Management of musculoskeletal pain: an update with emphasis on chronic musculoskeletal pain","volume":"10","author":"El-Tallawy SN","year":"2021","unstructured":"El-Tallawy SN, Nalamasu R, Salem GI, LeQuang JA, Pergolizzi JV, Christo PJ. Management of musculoskeletal pain: an update with emphasis on chronic musculoskeletal pain. Pain Ther. 2021, 10:181-209. 10.1007\/s40122-021-00235-2","journal-title":"Pain Ther"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1159\/000531626","article-title":"Role of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of chronic pain","volume":"30","author":"Shao P","year":"2023","unstructured":"Shao P, Li H, Jiang J, Guan Y, Chen X, Wang Y. Role of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of chronic pain. Neuroimmunomodulation. 2023, 30:167-83. 10.1159\/000531626","journal-title":"Neuroimmunomodulation"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.berh.2015.04.024","article-title":"Diagnosing and treating chronic musculoskeletal pain based on the underlying mechanism(s)","volume":"29","author":"Clauw DJ","year":"2015","unstructured":"Clauw DJ. Diagnosing and treating chronic musculoskeletal pain based on the underlying mechanism(s). Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2015, 29:6-19. 10.1016\/j.berh.2015.04.024","journal-title":"Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(21)00393-7","article-title":"Chronic pain: an update on burden, best practices, and new advances","volume":"397","author":"Cohen S","year":"2021","unstructured":"Cohen S, Vase L, Hooten W. Chronic pain: an update on burden, best practices, and new advances. Lancet. 2021, 397:2082-97.","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/j.pain.0000000000002291","article-title":"Prevalence of chronic pain among adults in the United States","volume":"163","author":"Yong RJ","year":"2022","unstructured":"Yong RJ, Mullins PM, Bhattacharyya N. Prevalence of chronic pain among adults in the United States. Pain. 2022, 163:e328-32. 10.1097\/j.pain.0000000000002291","journal-title":"Pain"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11916-015-0528-6","article-title":"Review of the uses of vagal nerve stimulation in chronic pain management","volume":"19","author":"Chakravarthy K","year":"2015","unstructured":"Chakravarthy K, Chaudhry H, Williams K, Christo PJ. Review of the uses of vagal nerve stimulation in chronic pain management. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2015, 19:54. 10.1007\/s11916-015-0528-6","journal-title":"Curr Pain Headache Rep"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s40473-014-0010-5","article-title":"Vagus nerve stimulation","volume":"1","author":"Howland RH","year":"2014","unstructured":"Howland RH. Vagus nerve stimulation. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2014, 1:64-73. 10.1007\/s40473-014-0010-5","journal-title":"Curr Behav Neurosci Rep"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/ner.12398","article-title":"Noninvasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation decreases whole blood culture-derived cytokines and chemokines: a randomized, blinded, healthy control pilot trial","volume":"19","author":"Lerman I","year":"2016","unstructured":"Lerman I, Hauger R, Sorkin L, et al.. Noninvasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation decreases whole blood culture-derived cytokines and chemokines: a randomized, blinded, healthy control pilot trial. Neuromodulation. 2016, 19:283-91. 10.1111\/ner.12398","journal-title":"Neuromodulation"},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.brs.2019.01.008","article-title":"Inter-ictal assay of peripheral circulating inflammatory mediators in migraine patients under adjunctive cervical non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS): a proof-of-concept study","volume":"12","author":"Chaudhry SR","year":"2019","unstructured":"Chaudhry SR, Lendvai IS, Muhammad S, et al.. Inter-ictal assay of peripheral circulating inflammatory mediators in migraine patients under adjunctive cervical non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS): a proof-of-concept study. Brain Stimul. 2019, 12:643-51. 10.1016\/j.brs.2019.01.008","journal-title":"Brain Stimul"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/0165-0173(92)90009-B","article-title":"Vagal afferent modulation of nociception","volume":"17","author":"Randich A","year":"1992","unstructured":"Randich A, Gebhart G. Vagal afferent modulation of nociception. Brain Res Rev. 1992, 17:77-99.","journal-title":"Brain Res Rev"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/annrheumdis-2020-217872","article-title":"Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation reduces pain and fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot trial","volume":"80","author":"Aranow C","year":"2021","unstructured":"Aranow C, Atish-Fregoso Y, Lesser M, et al.. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation reduces pain and fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot trial. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021, 80:203-8. 10.1136\/annrheumdis-2020-217872","journal-title":"Ann Rheum Dis"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12891-025-08288-6","article-title":"Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation as a pain modulator in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled clinical trial","volume":"26","author":"Elsehrawy GG","year":"2025","unstructured":"Elsehrawy GG, Ibrahim ME, A Moneim NH, Hefny MA, El Shaarawy NK. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation as a pain modulator in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled clinical trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025, 26:68. 10.1186\/s12891-025-08288-6","journal-title":"BMC Musculoskelet Disord"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ocarto.2024.100545","article-title":"Safety and preliminary efficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on chronic knee pain: A pilot trial","volume":"7","author":"Aoyagi K","year":"2025","unstructured":"Aoyagi K, Rivas E, Shababi R, et al.. Safety and preliminary efficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on chronic knee pain: A pilot trial. Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 2025, 7:100545. 10.1016\/j.ocarto.2024.100545","journal-title":"Osteoarthr Cartil Open"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm13247601","article-title":"Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in chronic low back pain: a pilot study","volume":"13","author":"Tavares-Figueiredo I","year":"2024","unstructured":"Tavares-Figueiredo I, Pers YM, Duflos C, et al.. Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in chronic low back pain: a pilot study. J Clin Med. 2024, 13:7601. 10.3390\/jcm13247601","journal-title":"J Clin Med"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ph14111166","article-title":"The effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica","volume":"14","author":"Venborg J","year":"2021","unstructured":"Venborg J, Wegeberg AM, Kristensen S, Brock B, Brock C, Pfeiffer-Jensen M. The effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021, 14:1166. 10.3390\/ph14111166","journal-title":"Pharmaceuticals (Basel)"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2022.1030927","article-title":"Meditative-based diaphragmatic breathing vs. vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of fibromyalgia-a randomized controlled trial: body vs. machine","volume":"13","author":"Paccione CE","year":"2022","unstructured":"Paccione CE, Stubhaug A, Diep LM, Rosseland LA, Jacobsen HB. Meditative-based diaphragmatic breathing vs. vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of fibromyalgia-a randomized controlled trial: body vs. machine. Front Neurol. 2022, 13:1030927. 10.3389\/fneur.2022.1030927","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"ref20","article-title":"Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA Statement","volume":"3","author":"Moher D","year":"2009","unstructured":"Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, PRISMA Group. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA Statement. Open Med. 2009, 3:e123-30.","journal-title":"Open Med"},{"key":"ref21","unstructured":"Study quality assessment tools. (2021). Accessed. March 10, 2025: https:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/health-topics\/study-quality-assessment-tools."},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjos-2020-100074","article-title":"Comparison of commonly used methods in random effects meta-analysis: application to preclinical data in drug discovery research","volume":"5","author":"Tanriver-Ayder E","year":"2021","unstructured":"Tanriver-Ayder E, Faes C, van de Casteele T, McCann SK, Macleod MR. Comparison of commonly used methods in random effects meta-analysis: application to preclinical data in drug discovery research. BMJ Open Sci. 2021, 5:e100074. 10.1136\/bmjos-2020-100074","journal-title":"BMJ Open Sci"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/21925682221110527","article-title":"Fixed-effect vs random-effects models for meta-analysis: 3 points to Consider","volume":"12","author":"Dettori JR","year":"2022","unstructured":"Dettori JR, Norvell DC, Chapman JR. Fixed-effect vs random-effects models for meta-analysis: 3 points to Consider. Global Spine J. 2022, 12:1624-6. 10.1177\/21925682221110527","journal-title":"Global Spine J"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1553-2712.2001.tb01132.x","article-title":"Reliability of the visual analog scale for measurement of acute pain","volume":"8","author":"Bijur PE","year":"2001","unstructured":"Bijur PE, Silver W, Gallagher EJ. Reliability of the visual analog scale for measurement of acute pain. Acad Emerg Med. 2001, 8:1153-7. 10.1111\/j.1553-2712.2001.tb01132.x","journal-title":"Acad Emerg Med"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.327.7414.557","article-title":"Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses","volume":"327","author":"Higgins JP","year":"2003","unstructured":"Higgins JP, Thompson SG, Deeks JJ, Altman DG. Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses. BMJ. 2003, 327:557-60. 10.1136\/bmj.327.7414.557","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.genhosppsych.2021.01.009","article-title":"The role of social isolation in physical and emotional outcomes among patients with chronic pain","volume":"69","author":"Bannon S","year":"2021","unstructured":"Bannon S, Greenberg J, Mace RA, Locascio JJ, Vranceanu AM. The role of social isolation in physical and emotional outcomes among patients with chronic pain. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2021, 69:50-4. 10.1016\/j.genhosppsych.2021.01.009","journal-title":"Gen Hosp Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2020.00284","article-title":"Critical review of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: challenges for translation to clinical practice","volume":"14","author":"Yap JY","year":"2020","unstructured":"Yap JY, Keatch C, Lambert E, Woods W, Stoddart PR, Kameneva T. Critical review of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: challenges for translation to clinical practice. Front Neurosci. 2020, 14:284. 10.3389\/fnins.2020.00284","journal-title":"Front Neurosci"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12891-024-07569-w","article-title":"Effects of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on chronic low back pain: a systematic review","volume":"25","author":"Eid L","year":"2024","unstructured":"Eid L, George M, Hady DA. Effects of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on chronic low back pain: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024, 25:498. 10.1186\/s12891-024-07569-w","journal-title":"BMC Musculoskelet Disord"}],"container-title":["Cureus"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.cureus.com\/articles\/387820-the-effect-of-vagus-nerve-stimulation-on-pain-severity-scores-in-patients-with-chronic-musculoskeletal-pain-syndrome-a-meta-analysis","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,10]],"date-time":"2026-02-10T01:16:35Z","timestamp":1770686195000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.cureus.com\/articles\/387820-the-effect-of-vagus-nerve-stimulation-on-pain-severity-scores-in-patients-with-chronic-musculoskeletal-pain-syndrome-a-meta-analysis"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,9]]},"references-count":28,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7759\/cureus.103313","relation":{},"ISSN":["2168-8184"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2168-8184","type":"print"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,9]]}}}