Interoceptive Awareness, Physical Activity, Body Awareness and Emotional Status in Individuals With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain

NCT07275255 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: ISTINYE-PT-NSCLBP-2025
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 130
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This observational cross-sectional study aims to examine the relationships between interoceptive awareness, physical activity level, body awareness, emotional status, and pain intensity in individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain. Non-specific chronic low back pain refers to pain in the lumbar region lasting for at least three months without an identifiable structural or pathological cause. Participants aged 18-65 years who meet the diagnostic criteria for non-specific chronic low back pain will be evaluated using validated self-report questionnaires. These include measures of interoceptive awareness, body awareness, alexithymia, physical activity level, and pain intensity. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics such as age, gender, education level, duration of pain, medication use, height, weight, and BMI will also be collected. The purpose of the study is to better understand how internal body perception, physical activity, emotional processing, and body awareness interact with pain experience in this population. Findings may contribute to the development of individualized rehabilitation programs and inform clinicians about the multidimensional factors influencing chronic low back pain.

Conditions

Lower Back Pain Chronic; Non Specific Chronic Low Back Pain

Keywords

Interoceptive Awareness; Body Awareness; Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain; Chronic Low Back Pain; Alexithymia; Physical Activity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Interoceptive Awareness Score (MAIA/MAIA-2)

  Interoceptive awareness will be assessed using the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA/MAIA-2). The scale consists of 37 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale, yielding scores for eight subscales. Higher scores indicate greater interoceptive awareness.

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Body Awareness Score (BARQ-T)

  Baseline

• Alexithymia Score (Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20)

  Baseline

• Physical Activity Level (IPAQ-SF)

  Baseline

Other Outcomes (1)

• Pain Intensity Score (Visual Analog Scale)

  Baseline

Study Arms (1)

Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain Group

A cohort of adults aged 18-65 diagnosed with non-specific chronic low back pain. Participants will complete validated self-report questionnaires assessing interoceptive awareness, body awareness, emotional status, physical activity level, and pain intensity.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Study Population

Adults aged 18-65 years diagnosed with non-specific chronic low back pain for at least 3 months. Participants will be recruited from the physiotherapy and rehabilitation outpatient clinic (Fizyotem) at Istinye University. Individuals must be able to understand and complete self-report questionnaires. A total of approximately 130 participants are expected to be enrolled.

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18-65 years.
• Diagnosed with non-specific chronic low back pain.
• Duration of pain ≥ 3 months.
• Self-reported average pain score ≥ 4/10 on the Visual Analog Scale.
• Ability to understand and complete self-report questionnaires.

You may not qualify if:

• Low back pain due to specific pathologies (e.g., tumor, infection, fracture, inflammatory disease).
• Serious systemic, neurological, or psychiatric comorbidities.
• History of spinal surgery within the past year.
• Pregnancy.
• Language or cognitive impairments preventing questionnaire completion.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istinye University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Affective Symptoms; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Gül Deniz Yılmaz Yelvar, Assoc. Prof.

  Istinye University, Institute of Graduate Studies, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 28, 2025
• First Posted: December 10, 2025
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: December 16, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share