Neuromodulation for chronic pain in neurological disorders: a scoping review protocol

Abstract

Background: Chronic pain is a frequent and debilitating symptom associated with various neurological disorders. Neuromodulation offers a promising alternative for managing chronic pain by modulating nervous system activity. Techniques include spinal cord stimulation, deep brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and vagus nerve stimulation, among others. While some systematic reviews have evaluated individual techniques, a comprehensive mapping of all neuromodulation approaches across diverse neurological disorders is lacking.

Objective: This scoping review aims to systematically map existing literature on the use of neuromodulation techniques for chronic pain in individuals with neurological disorders, with a focus on applications in lowand middle-income countries (LMICs). It seeks to identify the types of neuromodulation techniques used, their stimulation parameters, reported mechanisms of action, and pain outcome measures.

Methods: Following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, the review will include studies from 2005 to 2025. Databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO will be searched alongside grey literature. Inclusion criteria are based on the population, concept, and context framework, targeting adults with neurological conditions experiencing chronic pain managed by neuromodulation techniques. Data extraction and synthesis will involve descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis.

Conclusion: The review will provide a broad overview of neuromodulation practices for chronic pain in neurological disorders, highlight research gaps, and guide future clinical and research directions, particularly in LMIC contexts.