Pain Neuroscience Education and Memory

NCT07252596 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: PNEMEMORY202510
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

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.

Conditions

Chronic Pain

Keywords

pain neuroscience education; Memory; Pain drawing; chronic pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Memory Function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment - MoCA)

  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.

  At baseline (prior to the pain neuroscience education session) and immediately after completion of the treatment session

• Sensory Awareness (Body Chart Pain Area - Grid Overlay Count)

  Change in the number of grid blocks marked on the body pain chart to quantify alteration in perceived pain area, reflecting somatosensory representation changes.

  At baseline (prior to the pain neuroscience education session) and immediately after completion of the treatment session

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• 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

• Pain Catastrophization (Pain Catastrophization Scale - PCS)

  At baseline (prior to the pain neuroscience education session) and immediately after completion of the treatment session

Other Outcomes (2)

• Demographic and Clinical Characteristics

  Baseline, pre-intervention

• Clinician Checklist

  Immediately after intervention

Study Arms (1)

Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive a standardized Pain Neuroscience Education session lasting 10 to 15 minutes, delivered by a clinician trained in advanced pain science. This educational intervention uses metaphors, examples, and images to teach patients about the biology of pain, aiming to reduce pain catastrophizing and improve cognitive and sensory outcomes.

Behavioral: Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE)

Interventions

Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) BEHAVIORAL

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.

Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18 and above
• Chronic pain \> 1 year
• Provide written consent
• Proficient in reading and understanding English

You may not qualify if:

• Not willing to participate in the study
• Have received PNE as a treatment before

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Evidence In Motion: lead
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas: collaborator
• Southwest Baptist University: collaborator

Related Publications (33)

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Chronic Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Adriaan Louw, PT, PhD

  Evidence In Motion

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Adriaan Louw, PT, PhD

CONTACT

888-709-7096; adriaan@eimpt.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: 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.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 18, 2025
• First Posted: November 26, 2025
• Study Start: November 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2026
• Study Completion: May 1, 2026
• Last Updated: November 26, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share