The impact of a one-time neuroscience pain education in 7th-grade students – a non-randomized waitlist-controlled trial

Background Chronic pain affects not only adults but also children and adolescents. There is evidence for the effect of Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) on the prevention and treatment of pain in adults, and first studies in schools have shown positive effects, but not yet in Germany.

Objective Assess the effect of a one-time PNE in 7th graders, both in the total sample and in subgroups by school type and pain type.

Methods Non-randomized, wait-list controlled trial. The PNE(1)-group (n=107) received the PNE at baseline; their measurement time points were pre-PNE, post-PNE, and after 14 weeks. The PNE(2)-group (n=143) received the PNE at the end of 14 weeks; their measurement time points were at baseline and after 14 weeks and then following the PNE. The primary outcome was pain knowledge, assessed with the Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire (NPQ-D). Secondary outcomes were fear-avoidance beliefs, pain catastrophizing, functioning in daily life, various pain parameters, and healthcare utilization. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVAs, t-tests, and Chi² tests.

Results The PNE(1)-group had significantly higher NPQ-D scores after 14 weeks, compared to the PNE(2)-group that had not received the PNE at that time (F[1,248]=63.584, p<0.001, p²=0.204). Significantly higher scores were found in the subsequent analyses only in the subgroups &quot;grammar school&quot; and &quot;without chronic pain.&quot; When looking individually at the short-term effect of the PNE in both groups and their subgroups, there was a highly significant increase in NPQ-D scores at the respective measurement time points under all conditions. For the secondary outcomes, there were only significant differences related to the PNE in terms of an increase in pain intensity and a smaller decrease related to doctor visits in the &quot;chronic pain&quot; subgroup, and an increase related to therapist visits in the &quot;without chronic pain&quot; subgroup. Positive trends were observed in pain frequency and medication use in the &quot;chronic pain&quot; subgroup.

Conclusion The single PNE resulted in significantly higher pain knowledge. Negative effects were observed in pain intensity and healthcare utilization, but positive trends for pain frequency and medication use.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
21. Mai 2024