Effect of Pain Neuroscience Education combined with exercises on pain and quality of life in school going adolescents with chronic low back pain: A pre-post study design

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is increasingly prevalent among school-going adolescents and negatively impacts their physical functioning, psychological well-being, academic performance, and overall quality of life. Traditional management approaches often focus primarily on physical symptoms, with limited emphasis on pain cognition and psychosocial factors.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of a Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) program combined with structured exercise therapy on pain intensity and quality of life in adolescents with chronic low back pain. The intervention integrates education about the neurophysiology of pain—helping students understand pain mechanisms, central sensitization, and pain-related fear—with targeted therapeutic exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and functional capacity.

A pre-post study design will be used to assess changes in pain levels and quality of life before and after the intervention. Outcome measures will include standardized pain scales and validated quality-of-life questionnaires. The study is expected to provide evidence on whether combining cognitive pain education with physical rehabilitation results in improved clinical and psychosocial outcomes among school-going adolescents with CLBP.

This research may contribute to developing cost-effective, school-based, and culturally adaptable intervention strategies for managing adolescent chronic low back pain.