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Pain Sensitivity and Psychological Profile of Chronic Low Back Pain Patients

Not Applicable
Conditions
Low Back Pain
Interventions
Other: Hypnosis
Registration Number
NCT04879394
Lead Sponsor
University of Minho
Brief Summary

This study aims to characterize pain sensitivity and psychological profile of CLBP patients in comparison with pain free adults, and explore their predictive role on hypnosis outcomes, an effective intervention for pain control.

Detailed Description

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a very prevalent condition, associated with high disability and financial costs. Pain sensitization and psychological status have been associated with symptom severity and treatment outcomes, but their prognostic value is not yet well established.

This is a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial, with an experimental (hypnosis) and one control group (standard care), and 5 assessment points: baseline, post intervention, 1, 3 and 6 months follow-up. Participants will be 160 CLBP patients and 50 pain free adults, assessed on sociodemographic, clinical, pain, disability, psychophysical (Quantitative Sensory Testing) and psychological variables.

This work will contribute to a better knowledge of the mechanisms underlying CLBP and of the patient characteristics that can predict treatment outcomes after hypnosis. The findings have the potential to improve patient-targeted treatment approaches.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
160
Inclusion Criteria
  • persistent or recurrent low back pain lasting over 3 months
Exclusion Criteria
  • pain due to other causes (e.g. fibromyalgia, fracture)
  • back surgery in the previous 6 months or planned in the following 6 months
  • debilitating organic, psychiatric or neurological conditions (e.g. cancer, schizophrenia, dementia)
  • disability compensation or litigation related to CLBP
  • unavailability to commit to the hypnosis sessions.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
HypnosisHypnosis4 weekly hypnosis sessions, aiming at pain control and distress management. The 90 min. sessions will be conducted in group format by a doctorate-level psychologist trained in hypnosis. Contents will be detailed on hypnosis protocols to ensure standardization.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain intensity at 1 month as assessed by NRS1 month post-intervention

Pain intensity assessed by NRS

Pain intensity at 3 months as assessed by NRS3 months post-intervention

Pain intensity assessed by NRS

Pain intensity at 6 months as assessed by NRS6 months post-intervention

Pain intensity assessed by NRS

Pain intensity at 1 week as assessed by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)1 week post-intervention

Pain intensity assessed by NRS

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Optimism at 1 month as assessed by LOT1 month post-intervention

Optimism assessed by LOT

Functionality at 1 month as assessed by the ODI1 month post-intervention

Functionality as assessed by the ODI

Functionality at 6 months as assessed by the ODI6 months post-intervention

Functionality assessed by the ODI

Pain interference at 6 months as assessed by the BPI6 months post-intervention

Pain interference assessed by the BPI

Functionality at 1 week as assessed by the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODI)1 week post-intervention

Functionality assessed by the ODI

Functionality at 3 months as assessed by the ODI3 months post-intervention

Functionality assessed by the ODI

Quality of life at 3 months as assessed by the EQ-5D-5L3 months post-intervention

Quality of life assessed by the EQ-5D-5L

Emotional distress at 6 months as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)6 months post-intervention

Emotional distress assessed by HADS

Optimism at 3 months as assessed by LOT3 months post-intervention

Optimism assessed by LOT

Pain catastrophizing at 1 week as assessed by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)1 week post-intervention

Pain catastrophizing assessed by PCS

Pain catastrophizing at 1 month as assessed by PCS1 month post-intervention

Pain catastrophizing assessed by PCS

Pain interference at 1 week as assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)1 week post-intervention

Pain interference assessed by the BPI

Quality of life at 1 week as assessed by the EuroQol Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L)1 week post-intervention

Quality of life assessed by the EQ-5D-5L

Quality of life at 6 months as assessed by the EQ-5D-5L6 months post-intervention

Quality of life assessed by the EQ-5D-5L

Optimism at 1 week as assessed by the Life Orientation Test (LOT)1 week post-intervention

Optimism assessed by LOT

Optimism at 6 months as assessed by LOT6 months post-intervention

Optimism assessed by LOT

Pain interference at 1 month as assessed by the BPI1 month post-intervention

Pain interference assessed by the BPI

Pain interference at 3 months as assessed by the BPI3 months post-intervention

Pain interference assessed by the BPI

Emotional distress at 1 week as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)1 week post-intervention

Emotional distress assessed by HADS

Emotional distress at 1 month as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)1 month post-intervention

Emotional distress assessed by HADS

Emotional distress at 3 months as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)3 months post-intervention

Emotional distress assessed by HADS

Quality of life at 1 month as assessed by the EQ-5D-5L1 month post-intervention

Quality of life assessed by the EQ-5D-5L

Pain catastrophizing at 6 months as assessed by PCS6 months post-intervention

Pain catastrophizing assessed by PCS

Pain catastrophizing at 3 months as assessed by PCS3 months post-intervention

Pain catastrophizing assessed by PCS

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hospital de Braga

🇵🇹

Braga, Portugal

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