RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Effectiveness of a Pain Neuroscience Education Programme on Physical Activity in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

This research is looking into how a special way of teaching about pain, called 'Pain Neuroscience Education' (PNE), can help people with ongoing back pain become more physically active. Many people suffer from long-lasting back pain, and finding good, non-drug ways to help them is very important. Traditionally, 'back schools' have been used, but they haven't always worked well in the long term. PNE, on the other hand, helps people understand that pain isn't just about damage to the body, but also involves other factors. This study will compare PNE with traditional back school education to see which is better at getting people more active. Researchers will use special watches to track activity levels and also look at how these different teaching methods affect pain, quality of life, and fears about movement over time.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospital, Montpellier

Enrolment target

Start

02 Oct 2023

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2027

Low Back Pain, Recurrent

What is this study about?

Imagine you have had back pain for a long time, maybe more than three months. It can be really frustrating, and doctors are always looking for better ways to help people like you. This study is testing out a new way of explaining pain, called 'Pain Neuroscience Education' (PNE), to see if it helps people with ongoing back pain become more active.

Traditional approaches, sometimes called 'back schools', often focus on the physical side of back problems. However, science now tells us that pain, especially long-lasting pain, is much more complicated. It's not just about a physical injury; things like stress, emotions, and even your understanding of pain can play a big role. PNE aims to help you understand these different aspects of pain. The idea is that if you understand pain better, it might change how you feel about it and encourage you to move more, which is often very good for back pain.

Being physically active is super important for staying healthy and especially for managing ongoing back pain. This study wants to find out if PNE is better than the older 'back school' methods at helping people stay active. They will compare both approaches and track how much people move using special activity watches. They'll also check in with people over three months and even a year to see if the chosen method helps with pain, quality of life, fear of movement, and how they think about their pain.

Key takeaways

New education about pain might help you be more active.
This study compares two ways of learning about back pain.
Activity levels will be tracked with smartwatches.
The study also looks at pain, mood, and quality of life.
It aims to find better ways to manage long-term back pain.
Participation involves educational sessions and questionnaires.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 or older, and have ongoing back pain that has lasted for more than three months. Your doctor would likely have called it 'ordinary back pain,' meaning it's not due to a specific illness or injury like a broken bone or cancer. You should also be taking part in a special rehabilitation program at Lamalou-les-Bains Hospital.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have other health conditions that make it hard for you to walk, or if you have a psychiatric or thinking problem that would make it difficult to follow the educational programs. If you've had back surgery recently (in the last three months) or are planning to have other specific back pain treatments like injections or more surgery, you wouldn't be able to join either. You also can't be in another back pain study at the same time.

Finally, if you don't understand French, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a legal guardian, you wouldn't be eligible. The aim is to make sure the study includes people who can safely and fully take part in the programs.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have back pain that has lasted for more than 3 months?
Are you currently attending a rehabilitation program at Lamalou-les-Bains Hospital?
Do you have any other conditions that severely limit your ability to walk?
Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
Have you had back surgery in the last 3 months, or planning more treatment soon?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll be assigned to either the 'Pain Neuroscience Education' (PNE) group or the traditional 'back school' group. Both groups will be part of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme. You'll wear an activity monitor, like a smartwatch, to help the researchers measure how active you are over time. You'll also be asked to fill out questionnaires to share information about your pain, how you feel, and your quality of life. These measurements will be taken at the beginning of the study, then again three months later, and for some checks, even a year after the education program. The total duration of your involvement in the study will be at least three months, with some follow-up extending to one year.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer you the benefit of learning new ways to understand and manage your chronic back pain, potentially leading to increased physical activity and an improved quality of life. There are no direct medical risks from the educational programs or wearing an activity monitor. However, you might find that some of the questions asked in the questionnaires are personal. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Hospital Center Paul Coste Floret
Verified postcode
Lamalou-les-Bains, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'Pain Neuroscience Education'?

It's a way of teaching you about how pain works, explaining that it's more than just a physical problem, and involves your brain and other factors.

Will I have to take any new medicines?

No, this study focuses on understanding and managing pain through education and activity, not through new medications.

What is a 'back school'?

It's a traditional type of education program that teaches you about your back and how to move safely, often focusing on the physical aspects.

How will my activity be measured?

You'll wear a special activity monitor, like a smartwatch, which will track how much you move throughout the day.

How long will the study last for me?

You'll be involved in the main part of the study for three months, with some follow-up checks up to a year after the education program.

How to find out more

Gaël LE PERF

gael.leperf@hopital-lamalou.fr 0467235729 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.