Pain science education plus adapted exercise for older adults with chronic pain
Efficacy of Pain Science Education Combined With Exercise in Older Adults With Chronic Pain
This program will test whether adding pain science education to an adapted exercise plan helps people over 65 with long-term pain reduce pain and move better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Salamanca Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Salamanca, Salamanca) |
| Trial ID | NCT07287501 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Older adults with chronic pain will be enrolled and receive multicomponent exercise either alone or combined with pain science education delivered over 8 to 32 weeks. Physical function, muscle strength, body composition, pain severity, pain-related beliefs, quality of life, and brain activity (qEEG) will be measured at baseline and follow-up. Assessments include SPPB, TUG, handgrip, sit-to-stand, bioelectrical impedance, several validated pain and psychometric questionnaires, and blinded outcome collection by trained physiotherapists. The intervention is part of a preventive physiotherapy program run by the University of Salamanca and supported by local institutions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 65 or older with chronic pain lasting more than three months, pain intensity of at least 3/10, who can read and speak Spanish and do exercise safely.
Not a fit: People with severe cognitive impairment, psychiatric disorders, uncontrolled systemic or cardiac conditions, or who cannot attend regular in-person sessions are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the combined program could reduce pain, improve mobility and independence, and enhance quality of life for older adults with chronic pain.
How similar studies have performed: Combining exercise with pain education has shown benefits in younger chronic pain populations, but randomized evidence specifically in older adults remains limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults over 65 years of age * History of pain lasting more than 3 months. * Pain intensity of at least 3 out of 10 on the numeric pain rating scale. * Ability to understand, speak, and write in Spanish. Exclusion Criteria: * Severe cognitive impairment (score \< 24 on the Mini-Mental State Exam). * Psychiatric disorders. * Uncontrolled systemic or inflammatory conditions. * Uncontrolled cardiac conditions. * Any other circumstances deemed by the investigators that could interfere with the study's purpose or conduct. Elimination Criteria: \- Attendance below 85% of total sessions.
Where this trial is running
Salamanca, Salamanca
- Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy USAL. Campus Miguel de Unamuno, C. Donantes de Sangre, s/n, 37007 Salamanca — Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Javier Torres Alonso, PDI
- Email: javiertorres@usal.es
- Phone: +34 684111479
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.