Cold fact or hot air? Joint pain from changing weather is a myth, Australian researchers say

Meta-analysis finds that despite anecdotal reports, the pain felt is more about perception than drop in temperature or humidity

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The common belief that changes in temperature and humidity can trigger musculoskeletal aches or common forms of arthritis has been challenged by the first comprehensive review to examine the effect of weather on joint pain.

Researchers led by Prof Manuela Ferreira, a pain expert from the University of Sydney, analysed 11 international studies on weather and musculoskeletal pain that involved more than 15,000 participants. The subjects had reported new or worsening muscle or joint pain due to factors such as hotter or colder temperatures, wind speed, humidity and air pressure.

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