Investigation of the Effects of Pain Neuroscience Education on Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Pain in Physiotherapy Students
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 155
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire (rNPQ)
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This study aims to examine the immediate effects of a single-session Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) program on pain-related knowledge and attitudes among undergraduate physiotherapy students. The PNE session focuses on explaining pain neurophysiology, chronic pain mechanisms, central sensitization, and the biopsychosocial factors that influence pain. Participants complete validated questionnaires assessing pain knowledge, pain-related beliefs, and attitudes before and immediately after the intervention. The purpose of the study is to determine whether a brief educational session can produce immediate improvements in pain knowledge and pain-related attitudes across different academic years in physiotherapy students.
Detailed Description
This study is a retrospective registration of a completed pre-post interventional study conducted among undergraduate physiotherapy students. The objective of the research was to evaluate the immediate effects of a single-session Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) program on pain-related knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes.
The PNE session lasted approximately 70 minutes and was delivered by a physiotherapist trained in pain neuroscience and the biopsychosocial model. The session covered pain neurophysiology, the distinction between acute and chronic pain, central sensitization, factors contributing to pain experiences, and the role of cognition, emotions, and behaviors within the biopsychosocial framework.
Participants completed self-report outcome measures at two time points:
Baseline (pre-intervention)
Immediately after the intervention
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Na
- Intervention Model
- Single Group
- Primary Purpose
- Other
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Undergraduate physiotherapy and rehabilitation students (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year)
- •Willing to participate and able to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
- •Having previously received formal Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire (rNPQ)
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after the intervention
The rNPQ assessed participants' knowledge of pain neurophysiology. The scale measures participants' knowledge level on topics such as pain mechanisms, neuropathic pain, central sensitization, and biopsychosocial components of pain. The scale consists of a total of 12 questions with "true", "false", or "I don't know" answers. Incorrect answers and answers marked as undecided receive 0 points. The scale is scored between 0 and 12, and pain knowledge increases as the score increases.
Knowledge and Attitudes of Pain Questionnaire (KNAP)
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after the intervention
Participants' knowledge and attitudes towards pain were measured with the KNAP. The KNAP scale consists of 30 questions and is scored on a six-point Likert scale ranging from completely disagree to completely agree. The total score is between 0 and 150 points. A higher score from the scale indicates knowledge and attitudes that better reflect modern pain neuroscience.
Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists (PABS-PT)
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after the intervention
The PABS-PT was used to distinguish between biomedical and biopsychosocial orientations towards treating low back pain in physiotherapists. The scale is scored as 1 = strongly disagree and 6 = strongly agree. Treatment orientation is measured in biomedical (factor 1) and biopsychosocial (factor 2) subscales. Subscale scores are calculated by simply summing the scores corresponding to the selected response for each item. The subscale with the highest score indicates the participant's dominant treatment orientation
Health Care Providers' Pain Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS )
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after the intervention
The HC-PAIRS was developed to examine the impact of attitudes and beliefs of health professionals on the clinical management of chronic nonspecific low back pain.The scale consists of 12 items, ranging from 1 (completely disagree) to 7 (completely agree). After items 1 and 5 are reversed, the total score is calculated and ranges from 12 to 84. Higher scores indicate a strong belief that low back pain is a legitimate cause of activity limitation and disability, and negative attitudes and beliefs of health professionals towards low back pain.
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Ayşe ŞİMŞEK
Research Assistant, PhD student
Hacettepe University