The Impact of Pain Neuroscience Education on Physical Therapy Student's Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviours Towards Pain

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Healthy Subjects

• Registration Number: NCT06821022
• Lead Sponsor: The Hashemite University

Brief Summary

This study investigates the effect of pain neuroscience education (PNE) on pain knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs among undergraduate physiotherapy students in Jordan

Detailed Description

Physiotherapy students at the Hashemite University will be randomly assigned into either pain neuroscience education or control lectures groups. Both groups will receive a 70-min didactic group-lecture. The control group will receive education about red-flags which are special screening questions for serious pathology. The red-flags education will discuss tissue pathology and triage for back pain classification. Neurophysiology and the biopsychosocial mode will not be discussed. The intervention group will receive a PNE lecture. All primary and secondary outcome measures consist of validated questionnaires (e.g., RNPQ, HC-PAIRS) or secondary and study-specific instruments that have undergone validation testing.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-11-11
• Study First Submitted: 2025-02-06
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-02-06
• Study First Posted: 2025-02-11
• Status Verified: 2025-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-09-25
• Primary Completion: 2025-09-30
• Study Completion: 2025-09-30
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• Physiotherapy undergraduate students at the Hashemite University

Exclusion Criteria

• Previous formal pain education
• Enrolled in a clinical practice module

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Revised Pain Neurophysiology Questionnaire (RNPQ)	Before and immediately after and 6 months after the education session	The 12-item RNPQ will be used to assess knowledge of pain neurophysiology. Responses are marked yes, no or undecided. One point is awarded for correct answers. Scores range from 0 to 12, with high scores indicating good knowledge.
The modified HC-PAIRS	Prior to and immediately and 6 months after the education session	The modified HC-PAIRS (Health Care Providers' Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale will be used to measure attitudes and beliefs towards patients with chronic pain and their ability to function. This 13-item questionnaire uses a 7-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree). Scores range from 13 to 91 with lower scores suggesting more positive attitudes.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Case vignette to measure behavior (clinical recommendations).	Before and immediately and 6 months after the education session	A case study vignette will be used to assess clinical behavior with a chronic low back pain patient. The participants will be asked to indicate, via four multiple-choice questions their recommendations about usual daily activities, work, exercise and bed rest. The number and percentage of appropriate recommendations will be recorded.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Hashemite University; 🇯🇴 Zarqa, Zarqa Governorate, Jordan