Effectiveness of Communication-Focused Pain Neuroscience Education in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the "Algo(S)Therapy" Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) program in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The study will assess whether the integration of communication skills training for physiotherapists enhances the outcomes of PNE. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) PNE with communication-focused delivery, (2) PNE without communication emphasis, or (3) standard- usual physiotherapy care. The primary objective is to determine whether PNE combined with enhanced communication skills leads to greater improvements in pain, function, and psychosocial outcomes compared to the other interventions.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 to 65 years * Diagnosis of chronic musculoskeletal pain in the lumbar spine, cervical spine, shoulder, or knee * Pain duration longer than 3 months * Pain intensity ≥3/10 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) * Pain present most days of the week * Able to understand and speak the Greek language Exclusion Criteria: * Acute pain in any body region * Neurological disorders or myopathies * Chronic pain of non-musculoskeletal origin * Active cancer diagnosis * History of trauma, fractures, or surgery in the past year * Pregnancy * Diagnosis of fibromyalgia * Cognitive impairments affecting communication or completion of questionnaires * Current use of corticosteroid medication * Participation in other treatment programs or alternative therapies during the study period * Concurrent enrollment in another clinical trial