Pain Neuroscience Education and Memory (PNE)

Evidence In Motion

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Chronic Pain

Treatments: Behavioral: Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07252596

PNEMEMORY202510

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

Detailed Description:

Chronic pain is a complex, multidimensional condition affecting approximately 25% of the global population. It is increasingly understood through the lens of brain-based changes, particularly the dynamic pain connectome, a network of brain regions involved in sensory, cognitive, and emotional processing. Functional reorganization in chronic pain patients may contribute to clinical symptoms beyond pain, such as memory loss, decreased sensory awareness, and altered motor control.

Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) is an educational intervention that aims to reconceptualize a patient's understanding of pain to reduce fear-avoidance, pain catastrophization, and disability. Systematic reviews have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing pain and improving movement. Early fMRI studies suggest that PNE may also deactivate pain-related brain areas and normalize brain function.

This case series seeks to explore the impact of a single PNE session on cognitive (memory) and sensory (body perception) outcomes in individuals with chronic pain. Participants (aged 18 and older) who meet inclusion criteria and consent to the study will undergo pre- and post-intervention assessments. These include:

Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

Pain body chart (grid overlay method)

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

Pain Catastrophization Scale (PCS)

Following baseline assessments, participants will receive a 10-15 minute individualized PNE session delivered by licensed clinicians trained in advanced pain science. Immediately post-intervention, assessments will be repeated to evaluate changes.

The study aims to contribute to the understanding of how PNE may influence brain-related symptoms associated with chronic pain, specifically memory function and sensory mapping. Findings could provide early evidence to support broader applications of PNE beyond movement-related outcomes.

Enrollment: 50 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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50 participants in 1 patient group

Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE)