Effectiveness of Communication-Focused Pain Neuroscience Education in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain (NCT07001449) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Effectiveness of Communication-Focused Pain Neuroscience Education in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
Greece90 participantsStarted 2025-06-17
Plain-language summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the "Algo(S)Therapy" Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) program in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The study will assess whether the integration of communication skills training for physiotherapists enhances the outcomes of PNE. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) PNE with communication-focused delivery, (2) PNE without communication emphasis, or (3) standard- usual physiotherapy care. The primary objective is to determine whether PNE combined with enhanced communication skills leads to greater improvements in pain, function, and psychosocial outcomes compared to the other interventions.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged 18 to 65 years
* Diagnosis of chronic musculoskeletal pain in the lumbar spine, cervical spine, shoulder, or knee
* Pain duration longer than 3 months
* Pain intensity ≥3/10 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
* Pain present most days of the week
* Able to understand and speak the Greek language
Exclusion Criteria:
* Acute pain in any body region
* Neurological disorders or myopathies
* Chronic pain of non-musculoskeletal origin
* Active cancer diagnosis
* History of trauma, fractures, or surgery in the past year
* Pregnancy
* Diagnosis of fibromyalgia
* Cognitive impairments affecting communication or completion of questionnaires
* Current use of corticosteroid medication
* Participation in other treatment programs or alternative therapies during the study period
* Concurrent enrollment in another clinical trial
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Numeric Pain Rating Scale - NPRS
Timeframe: Baseline, Post-intervention (Week 5), and 3-Month Follow-Up