Factors associated with post-stroke pain and pain perception-a scoping review

Pain is commonly experienced after stroke. It may impact the survivor's ability to sleep and is associated with an increase in disability, reduced physical function, and poor rehabilitation outcomes. Multiple factors have been reported to affect post-stroke pain. However, factors specifically associated with the perception (or experience) of pain in stroke survivors have not been systematically identified and characterised. The aim of this review was to identify and summarise the factors affecting pain and pain perception in stroke survivors.

A scoping review of included articles searched in Cochrane, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, MEDLINE, AMED databases and Scopus (till 21 April 2026) was conducted.

Sixty-seven studies were identified with a total of 31,075 participants included. This review found several main factors associated with pain outcomes in stroke survivors, including sensorimotor functions, functional dependency, specific somatosensory impairments, depression and fatigue, shoulder subluxation, movement restrictions, spasticity, and stroke severity. Factors that may reduce pain in stroke survivors, including peace, warmth, rest, quiet, posture adjustments, rubbing the arm, and early rehabilitation, were also identified.

There is currently limited literature related to the pain experience of the stroke survivor and factors that may impact it. A systematic investigation of pain perception post-stroke and factors impacting it, is required.