Altered local connectivity in chronic pain: A voxel-wise meta-analysis of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies

BACKGROUND: A number of studies have used regional homogeneity (ReHo) to depict local functional connectivity in chronic pain (CP). However, the findings from these studies were mixed and inconsistent. METHODS: A computerized literature search will be performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, and SinoMed databases until June 15, 2019 and updated on March 20, 2020. This protocol will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). The Seed-based d Mapping with Permutation of Subject Images (SDM-PSI) software will be used for this voxel-wise meta-analysis. RESULTS: This meta-analysis will identify the most consistent ReHo alterations in CP. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this will be the first voxel-wise meta-analysis that integrates ReHo findings in CP. This meta-analysis will offer the quantitative evidence of ReHo alterations that characterize brain local functional connectivity of CP. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019148523