EVALUATION OF ALEXITHYMIA AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH CLINICAL PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC COCCYDYNIA

NCT07696260 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 09.2026.26-0189
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the prevalence and levels of alexithymia in patients diagnosed with chronic coccydynia (tailbone pain lasting for 3 months or longer) and to explore its relationship with various clinical and psychological parameters. Chronic coccydynia can significantly impair daily activities, functionality, and reduce quality of life. Participants in this prospective, observational study will be evaluated during their routine visits to the pain management clinic. Evaluation of the participants will be performed using validated self-report questionnaires, including the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) for alexithymia, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for mood symptoms, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-33) for early life adverse experiences, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, and the SF-12 Health Survey for quality of life. The primary objective of the study is to determine how alexithymia relates to pain severity, duration, emotional symptoms, childhood trauma history, and overall quality of life in this specific population. The results of this pilot study may help strengthen the biopsychosocial approach in the evaluation of chronic coccydynia and optimize future multidisciplinary treatment strategies.

Conditions

Chronic Coccydynia; Alexithymia

Keywords

Chronic coccydynia; Alexithymia; Childhood Trauma; Chronic Pain; Quality of Life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) Score

  A 20-item self-report questionnaire used to evaluate the presence and severity of alexithymia. It assesses three subscales: difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally-oriented thinking. Total scores range from 20 to 100, where higher scores indicate a higher level of alexithymia.

  Baseline (Single-time assessment during the clinical interview)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain

  Baseline (Single-time assessment)

• Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Score

  Baseline (Single-time assessment)

• Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-33) Score

  Baseline (Single-time assessment)

• Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) Score

  Baseline (Single-time assessment)

Study Arms (1)

Chronic Coccydynia Patients

Patients aged 18 and older who present to the algology outpatient clinic with a diagnosis of chronic coccydynia lasting for 3 months or longer. Participants will undergo a single-time biopsychosocial assessment using validated psychometric scales including TAS-20, HADS, CTQ-33, VAS, and SF-12 during their routine evaluation.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Study Population

Patients aged 18 and older who present to the algology outpatient clinic and meet the diagnostic criteria for chronic coccydynia lasting for 3 months or longer.

You may qualify if:

• Being older than 18 years of age
• Volunteering to participate in the study and providing written informed consent
• Being literate and having the mental capacity to comprehend the questionnaires
• Having no active, treated severe psychiatric disorder (such as schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder)

You may not qualify if:

• \- Cognitive impairment or communication barriers that compromise the capacity to consent
• Active psychotic disorder or manic episode
• Suspected self-harm or suicide risk during the clinical interview
• Distinct secondary causes of pain such as malignancy, active infection, or acute fracture

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Marmara University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Affective Symptoms; Chronic Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor, MD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 6, 2026
• First Posted: July 10, 2026
• Study Start: March 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2027
• Last Updated: July 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)