Communication-focused pain neuroscience education for chronic musculoskeletal pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial will compare three groups: pain neuroscience education (PNE) delivered by physiotherapists trained in both PNE and communication skills (Algo(S)Therapy), PNE delivered without the communication emphasis, and usual physiotherapy care. Adults aged 18–65 with chronic musculoskeletal pain in the lumbar spine, cervical spine, shoulder, or knee of more than three months and average pain ≥3/10 will be enrolled and randomized. Outcomes include pain intensity, function, and psychosocial measures collected over the intervention period following CONSORT guidelines. The setting is the Physiotherapy Department at the University of Thessaly in Lamia, Greece, and all participants must speak Greek.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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

Where it's running

• Physiotherapy Department, University of Thessaly, Greece
  Lamia, Central Greece, Greece Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Konstantina Savvoulidou
• Email: ksavvoulidou@uth.gr
• Phone: +30 22310 6017

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.