Pain Neuroscience Education in Physiotherapy Students: Effects on Knowledge and Attitudes

NCT07273461 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: KBU-2025-2154
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 155
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to examine the immediate effects of a single-session Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) program on pain-related knowledge and attitudes among undergraduate physiotherapy students. The PNE session focuses on explaining pain neurophysiology, chronic pain mechanisms, central sensitization, and the biopsychosocial factors that influence pain. Participants complete validated questionnaires assessing pain knowledge, pain-related beliefs, and attitudes before and immediately after the intervention. The purpose of the study is to determine whether a brief educational session can produce immediate improvements in pain knowledge and pain-related attitudes across different academic years in physiotherapy students.

Conditions

Pain Knowledge; Pain Management; Physiotherapist Students

Keywords

pain neuroscience education; physiotherapy students; pain knowledge; pain beliefs

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire (rNPQ)

  The rNPQ assessed participants' knowledge of pain neurophysiology. The scale measures participants' knowledge level on topics such as pain mechanisms, neuropathic pain, central sensitization, and biopsychosocial components of pain. The scale consists of a total of 12 questions with "true", "false", or "I don't know" answers. Incorrect answers and answers marked as undecided receive 0 points. The scale is scored between 0 and 12, and pain knowledge increases as the score increases.

  Baseline and immediately after the intervention

• Knowledge and Attitudes of Pain Questionnaire (KNAP)

  Participants' knowledge and attitudes towards pain were measured with the KNAP. The KNAP scale consists of 30 questions and is scored on a six-point Likert scale ranging from completely disagree to completely agree. The total score is between 0 and 150 points. A higher score from the scale indicates knowledge and attitudes that better reflect modern pain neuroscience.

  Baseline and immediately after the intervention

• Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists (PABS-PT)

  The PABS-PT was used to distinguish between biomedical and biopsychosocial orientations towards treating low back pain in physiotherapists. The scale is scored as 1 = strongly disagree and 6 = strongly agree. Treatment orientation is measured in biomedical (factor 1) and biopsychosocial (factor 2) subscales. Subscale scores are calculated by simply summing the scores corresponding to the selected response for each item. The subscale with the highest score indicates the participant's dominant treatment orientation

  Baseline and immediately after the intervention

• Health Care Providers' Pain Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS )

  The HC-PAIRS was developed to examine the impact of attitudes and beliefs of health professionals on the clinical management of chronic nonspecific low back pain.The scale consists of 12 items, ranging from 1 (completely disagree) to 7 (completely agree). After items 1 and 5 are reversed, the total score is calculated and ranges from 12 to 84. Higher scores indicate a strong belief that low back pain is a legitimate cause of activity limitation and disability, and negative attitudes and beliefs of health professionals towards low back pain.

  Baseline and immediately after the intervention

Study Arms (1)

Pain Neuroscience Education Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Experimental: Pain Neuroscience Education Group Arm Description: Single-group intervention arm receiving a 70-minute Pain Neuroscience Education session. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and immediately after the intervention.

Behavioral: Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE)

Interventions

Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) BEHAVIORAL

The program consists of a single 70-minute Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) session, which includes explanations of pain neurophysiology, central sensitization, biopsychosocial pain concepts, and cognitive-behavioral factors influencing chronic pain. Delivered by a trained certified physiotherapist.

Pain Neuroscience Education Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Undergraduate physiotherapy and rehabilitation students (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year)
• Willing to participate and able to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Having previously received formal Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ayşe ŞİMŞEK: lead

Study Sites (1)

Karabük University Faculty of Health Sciences

Karabük, 78050, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Agnosia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Perceptual Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Ayşe Şimşek, MSc

  Karabuk University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant, PhD student

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 27, 2025
• First Posted: December 9, 2025
• Study Start: April 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 31, 2025
• Study Completion: October 31, 2025
• Last Updated: December 9, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)