Physical Therapy Management Of The Patient With Central Sensitization

Physical Therapy Management Of The Patient With Central Sensitization: An Observational Study Among Italian Physiotherapists

In the literature there is still debate about the concept of central sensitization, as a pain mechanism that can support a neuromusculoskeletal pathology and which for Woolf corresponds to an amplification of neural signaling within the Central Nervous System causing hypersensitivity to pain.

This mechanism is often confused with the concept of chronic pain, as in many conditions such as fibromyalgia, traumatic neck pain, low back pain or osteoarthritis, central sensitization supports its maintenance beyond 6 months.

We believe it is important to investigate among Italian physiotherapists the management of the patient in which the presence of a central pain sensitization phenomenon is suspected, in order to provide consistent data to direct the education of health professionals towards more effective management of this problem.

To achieve this goal we aim to:

• Conduct a Delphi study in order to reach consensus, into a panel of experts, on the methods useful for the management, in each phase of the physiotherapy process, of the patient with neuromusculoskeletal problems with pain underlying central sensitization mechanism
• Investigate, through a survey among Italian physiotherapists, their clinical approach to the patient in question
• Develop a free online course available to clinical professionals and/or students who wish to deepen this issue.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Pain; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Central Sensitisation
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Survey

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 200

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Italy
  • FE
    • Ferrara, FE, Italy, 44124
      • Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Physical therapists

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Italian physiotherapists who will decide to fill in the questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria:

• No exclusion criteria

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Physical therapists' patient management	Exploring Italian physiotherapists' clinical approach to the patient in question through an online survey	1 month

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Hospital of Ferrara

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (ACTUAL): September 20, 2021
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): October 20, 2021
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): October 30, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 21, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 21, 2021
• First Posted (ACTUAL): September 30, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): November 10, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 7, 2022
• Last Verified: May 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Pain; Central Sensitisation; Patient Management; Muscoloskeletal Disease
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Diseases
• Other Study ID Numbers: Survey_CS

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No