Effectiveness of the 'Algo(S)Therapy' Pain Neuroscience Education Program Emphasizing Physiotherapists' Communication Skills in Patients With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Algo(S)Therapy Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) program in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The study will assess whether the integration of communication skills training for physiotherapists enhances the outcomes of PNE. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) PNE with communication-focused delivery, (2) PNE without communication emphasis, or (3) standard- usual physiotherapy care. The primary objective is to determine whether PNE combined with enhanced communication skills leads to greater improvements in pain, function, and psychosocial outcomes compared to the other interventions.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 65
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• 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

Locations
Other Locations
Greece
Physiotherapy Department, University of Thessaly, Greece
RECRUITING
Lamia
Contact Information
Primary
Konstantina Savvoulidou
ksavvoulidou@uth.gr
+30 22310 6017
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-06-17
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-10-30
Participants
Target number of participants: 90
Treatments
Experimental: PNE + Communication Skills
Participants in this group will receive an individualized Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) program plus usual physiotherapy care delivered by physiotherapists who completed the full Algo(S)Therapy training. This training included education in the neurophysiology of pain, assessment and management of chronic musculoskeletal pain, as well as the development and application of communication skills. The communication training focused on strategies such as motivational interviewing, empathy, active listening, and patient-centered interaction specifically tailored for individuals with chronic pain. The intervention will be administered over a 5-week period, with 2 sessions per week.
Experimental: PNE without Communication Training
Participants in this group will receive an individualized Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) intervention plus usual physiotherapy care, delivered by physiotherapists who completed only the pain neurophysiology and clinical management components of the Algo(S)Therapy program. These physiotherapists did not receive any formal training in communication skills, such as motivational interviewing or empathy techniques. The intervention will be administered over a 5-week period, with 2 sessions per week.
Active_comparator: Usual Physiotherapy Treatment
Participants in this group will receive usual physiotherapy care. Physiotherapists in this group have not received any training in Pain Neuroscience Education or communication techniques related to chronic pain management. No components of the Algo(S)Therapy program will be applied in this group.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Acute Pain
Sponsors
Leads: University of Thessaly

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

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