Pain Neuroscience Education Delivered During Aerobic Exercise Versus Exercise Alone in Chronic Low Back Pain

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

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a common health condition that reduces quality of life and increases disability. Pain neuroscience education (PNE) has shown positive effects on pain perception, beliefs, and function, especially when combined with physical activity. This randomized controlled trial will compare the effectiveness of delivering PNE during aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer versus aerobic exercise alone in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: PNE during aerobic exercise (experimental group), Aerobic exercise alone (control group). Both groups will perform supervised cycling sessions lasting 20-30 minutes at light intensity (Borg CR10 = 3, 40-50% HRmax). The experimental group will simultaneously receive interactive education about pain mechanisms, central sensitization, and self-management strategies, supported by visual aids and metaphors delivered by a therapist during cycling. Outcomes will be measured at baseline and after the intervention, including: Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), Pressure pain threshold (algometry), Functional performance (Sit-to-Stand test), Perceived effort (Borg CR10), Safety and comfort (Likert scale), Muscle activity (surface EMG). The study will enroll 28 participants (14 per group). The findings are expected to clarify whether integrating education with exercise provides superior benefits compared to exercise alone, offering an innovative, safe, and cost-effective strategy for managing chronic musculoskeletal pain.

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

• Adults aged 18 to 65 years.

• Diagnosis of chronic low back pain lasting ≥ 12 weeks.

• Baseline pain intensity ≥ 4/10 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

• Able to perform light to moderate aerobic exercise

• Willing and able to provide informed consent.

Locations
Other Locations
Chile
Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile
RECRUITING
Santiago
Contact Information
Primary
Rodrigo Núñez-Cortés, PhD
r_nunez@uchile.cl
928777254
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-08-25
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-12-20
Participants
Target number of participants: 28
Treatments
Experimental: Pain Neuroscience Education During Aerobic Exercise
Participants will perform 20-30 minutes of supervised aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer at light intensity (Borg CR10 = 3; 40-50% HRmax). During cycling, they will receive interactive pain neuroscience education covering neurobiology of pain, central sensitization, and self-management strategies. Education will be delivered by a therapist using metaphors and visual aids to facilitate understanding while exercising.
Active_comparator: Aerobic Exercise Alone
Participants will perform 20-30 minutes of supervised aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer at light intensity (Borg CR10 = 3; 40-50% HRmax). No educational content will be provided. Sessions include warm-up, main cycling phase, and cool-down. Exercise parameters (cadence, resistance, and effort perception) will be matched to the experimental group.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: University of Chile

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov