Interoceptive intervention for chronic musculoskeletal pain

Sense to Act: Randomized-controlled Trial of an Interoceptive Sensibility Intervention for Musculoskeletal Pain

Not applicable Interventional Iscte-University Institute of Lisbon · NCT06285864

This study is testing a new program to help adults with chronic pain better understand and manage their body sensations to see if it can improve their pain experience.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment70 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorIscte-University Institute of Lisbon Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Lisbon and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06285864 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the feasibility of an intervention aimed at improving interoceptive sensibility in adults suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain. The intervention focuses on enhancing individuals' ability to sense, interpret, and regulate bodily sensations, which is often disrupted in chronic pain conditions. Participants will be divided into a group receiving the interoception-based intervention and a control group on a waiting list, allowing for comparison of outcomes related to pain adjustment and intervention acceptability. The study is conducted in community settings in Portugal, addressing a gap in cost-effective pain management solutions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 years old experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain for at least three months and who can understand and speak Portuguese.

Not a fit: Patients with neurodegenerative diseases, cancer pain, or those who have had recent fractures or surgeries may not benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve pain management and quality of life for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

How similar studies have performed: While there is growing research on interoceptive-based interventions, this specific approach tailored for chronic pain patients is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult individuals (over 18 years old)
* experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain (≥ 3 months)
* able to understand and speak portuguese

Exclusion Criteria:

* neurodegenerative diseases
* cancer pain
* recent fractures, or surgeries (\< 3 months).

Where this trial is running

Lisbon and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Musculoskeletal PainChronic Paininteroceptionmusculoskeletal painfeasibility
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.