Pain catastrophizing, fear of movement, and activity in postmenopausal women with chronic low back 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 observational study will enroll 150 natural postmenopausal women aged 45–65 with chronic nonspecific low back pain. A single in-person assessment by a trained physiotherapist will collect data through questionnaires on physical activity, pain catastrophizing, fear of movement, pain intensity, and disability, along with performance tests including the Timed Up and Go and the 30-second chair stand. The aim is to examine how pain catastrophizing and fear of movement jointly relate to physical activity levels. Average pain over the past week will be recorded using an 11-point scale focused on the low back. The study will exclude participants with surgically induced menopause or conditions that could better explain back pain.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Women aged 45 to 65 years.
* Natural postmenopause, defined as at least 12 consecutive months without menstruation, with no other apparent physiological or pathological cause and no clinical intervention explaining the absence of menstruation, confirmed by medical history and available medical records.
* Low back pain lasting at least three months, with no specific underlying cause identified through physician assessment.
* Ability to read and understand Turkish, provide informed consent, and follow the assessment instructions.
* Provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Surgically or medically induced menopause.
* Active malignancy, or a vertebral compression fracture, infection, inflammatory spinal disease, or another specific condition explaining the low back pain.
* Physician-confirmed radiculopathy, a marked neurological deficit, or lumbar spinal stenosis accompanied by neurogenic claudication.
* A severe neurological, rheumatological, or orthopedic disorder, or major surgery within the previous six months, that prevents safe or valid assessment.
* Cardiopulmonary disease or an acute medical condition that substantially limits physical activity or makes the physical performance assessments unsafe.
* Significant cognitive impairment or an acute or severe psychiatric condition that prevents valid informed consent or understanding of the assessment instructions.

Where it's running

• Istanbul Medipol University
  Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

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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.