14/11/2025
Peripheral Nociceptor Input and Central Sensitization in Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Meisam Ahmadi Nejad1iD*, Arnold Desman Das1iD, Alexandra Ivanenko1iD, Hanh Nguyen-Clark1, Sabina Dhillon1iD
1 Medical Student, , School of Medicine, USA
Asploro Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Case Reports
ISSN: 2582-0370
Article Type: Review Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36502/2025/ASJBCCR.6423
Asp Biomed Clin Case Rep. 2025 Sept 10;8(3):256-62
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Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a prevalent nociplastic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive impairment. Central sensitization (CS), amplified pain processing within the central nervous system, is widely accepted as a core mechanism in FM pathophysiology. Whether ongoing peripheral nociceptor input is required to initiate and sustain CS in established FM remains controversial, despite evidence of subtle inflammation, muscle or metabolic abnormalities, and small-fiber pathology. This systematic review and meta-analysis integrate mechanistic and observational evidence from quantitative sensory testing, local anesthetic blocks, small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) studies, muscle and microcirculatory assessments, and markers of low-grade inflammation to reappraise the peripheral contribution to CS. Findings from local anesthetic block studies show that tonic peripheral input can dynamically modulate and maintain CS in some individuals, whereas the frequent observation of SFN (approximately 50%) and emerging metabolic or inflammatory data suggest clinically relevant peripheral drivers may define distinct FM phenotypes. Debate persists over the relative importance of peripheral versus central mechanisms, the clinical relevance of SFN, and the impact of minor peripheral changes when overt pathology is absent. Clarifying these issues has important implications for patient stratification and personalized treatment. The review underscores the need for high-quality longitudinal trials that simultaneously track peripheral and central sensitization dynamics, to illuminate the dynamic interplay between peripheral pathology and central pain amplification in FM.
This review was retrospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251077548).
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Fibromyalgia review on central sensitization, nociplastic pain, peripheral nociceptive input, and small-fiber neuropathy mechanisms.