• Mª Isabel Tomás-Rodríguez, María Del Rosario Asensio-García, GarcíaRauf NouniRNDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Miguel Hernández University, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain., Miguel Delicado-Miralles, Sergio Hernández Sánchez, and Jose Vicente Segura-Heras.
• Department of Pathology and Surgery, Center for Translational Research in Physiotherapy, Miguel Hernández University, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
• Eur J Pain. 2024 Jul 17.

IntroductionBiopsychosocial approach in patients suffering chronic low back pain (CLBP) promotes pain self-management strategies. Current evidence recommends high dose of Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) for clinically significant differences. However, the workload and time constraints experienced by healthcare providers impede the application of the recommended treatment regimen. In fact, Back School with a biomechanical model is the main approach to manage CLBP in public systems.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to explore the effect of a 60 min single session of PNE as an adjunct to back school on pain intensity and psychological variables patients with CLBP.MethodsA double-blind, two-arm randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in patients with CLBP who attended back school sessions held in a Spanish public hospital. A total of 121 patients were randomized into control group, who received the Back School program during 5 weeks, and intervention group, who additionally received a single session of PNE. Patient-reported outcomes were the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Central Sensitization Inventory, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, with a 12-week follow-up.ResultsA total of 113 patients were analysed. Intervention and control group presented similar effects on pain and kinesiophobia. At follow-up, intervention group exhibited reduced sensitization and catastrophism scores compared with control, including the subscales. Additionally, PNE reduced the percentage of participants classified as having central sensitization compared with control.ConclusionsAdding a single PNE session in the back school program did not reduce pain but improved psychological factors as central sensitization and pain catastrophizing at medium-term. This study highlights the potential of PNE to optimize treatment strategies for CLBP, especially in public health centres where time resources are scarce.Significance StatementAdding a single PNE session in the back school program did not reduce pain but improved psychological factors as central sensitization and pain catastrophism at medium-term.© 2024 European Pain Federation ‐ EFIC ®.

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