Chronic Pain
Conditions
Keywords
pain neuroscience education, Memory, Pain drawing, chronic pain
Brief summary
Brief Summary: The goal of this observational study (case series) is to determine whether Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) can influence memory function and sensory awareness in adults (18 years and older) experiencing chronic pain lasting more than one year. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does a single PNE session improve memory performance, as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)? Does PNE change sensory awareness, as represented by alterations in body pain drawings using a grid overlay method? Participants will: Complete pre-intervention assessments, including: Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) Body chart drawing to map pain area Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Pain Catastrophization Scale (PCS) Receive a 10-15 minute standardized PNE session delivered by a licensed clinician trained in pain science Complete the same assessments immediately after the intervention to identify any changes in memory, sensory awareness, and pain perception This study aims to explore whether PNE can positively impact cognitive and sensory functions affected by chronic pain, beyond its already-established effects on movement and pain intensity.
Detailed description
Detailed Description: Chronic pain is a complex, multidimensional condition affecting approximately 25% of the global population. It is increasingly understood through the lens of brain-based changes, particularly the dynamic pain connectome, a network of brain regions involved in sensory, cognitive, and emotional processing. Functional reorganization in chronic pain patients may contribute to clinical symptoms beyond pain, such as memory loss, decreased sensory awareness, and altered motor control. Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) is an educational intervention that aims to reconceptualize a patient's understanding of pain to reduce fear-avoidance, pain catastrophization, and disability. Systematic reviews have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing pain and improving movement. Early fMRI studies suggest that PNE may also deactivate pain-related brain areas and normalize brain function. This case series seeks to explore the impact of a single PNE session on cognitive (memory) and sensory (body perception) outcomes in individuals with chronic pain. Participants (aged 18 and older) who meet inclusion criteria and consent to the study will undergo pre- and post-intervention assessments. These include: Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) Pain body chart (grid overlay method) Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Pain Catastrophization Scale (PCS) Following baseline assessments, participants will receive a 10-15 minute individualized PNE session delivered by licensed clinicians trained in advanced pain science. Immediately post-intervention, assessments will be repeated to evaluate changes. The study aims to contribute to the understanding of how PNE may influence brain-related symptoms associated with chronic pain, specifically memory function and sensory mapping. Findings could provide early evidence to support broader applications of PNE beyond movement-related outcomes.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALPain Neuroscience Education (PNE)
A 10-15 minute individualized educational session focusing on the neuroscience of pain. The session aims to reconceptualize the patient's understanding of their chronic pain by explaining the underlying biological, cognitive, and emotional mechanisms involved. Clinicians use a standardized checklist of metaphors and teaching tools tailored to the patient's clinical presentation.
Sponsors
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Southwest Baptist University
Evidence In Motion
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
This is a single-group assignment observational study (case series) where all participants receive the same intervention (Pain Neuroscience Education). Pre- and post-intervention measurements are taken to evaluate the effects of PNE on memory and sensory awareness in individuals with chronic pain.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18 and above * Chronic pain \> 1 year * Provide written consent * Proficient in reading and understanding English
Exclusion criteria
* Not willing to participate in the study * Have received PNE as a treatment before
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment - MoCA) | At baseline (prior to the pain neuroscience education session) and immediately after completion of the treatment session | Description: Change in MoCA score to assess improvement or decline in cognitive function, particularly memory, associated with chronic pain. The MoCA is scored out of 30; a change of 2 points or more is considered clinically meaningful. |
| Sensory Awareness (Body Chart Pain Area - Grid Overlay Count) | At baseline (prior to the pain neuroscience education session) and immediately after completion of the treatment session | Change in the number of grid blocks marked on the body pain chart to quantify alteration in perceived pain area, reflecting somatosensory representation changes. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Reported Pain Intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale - NPRS) | At baseline (prior to the pain neuroscience education session) and immediately after completion of the treatment session | Change in pain intensity reported by the patient on an 11-point scale (0-10). The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is 1.7 points. |
| Pain Catastrophization (Pain Catastrophization Scale - PCS) | At baseline (prior to the pain neuroscience education session) and immediately after completion of the treatment session | Change in PCS scores assessing catastrophic thinking related to pain on a 13-item, 5-point Likert scale. Higher scores indicate greater catastrophizing. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Demographic and Clinical Characteristics | Baseline, pre-intervention | Age, gender, ethnicity, pain location, pain duration, family history of pain, presence of memory loss, and spreading of pain since onset. |
| Clinician Checklist | Immediately after intervention | Clinician-reported pain phenotype, diagnosis, metaphors used during PNE, and rating of therapeutic alliance to explore potential influences on intervention effectiveness |
Contacts
Primary ContactAdriaan Louw, PT, PhD
Outcome results
None listed