Effectiveness of a Pain Neuroscience Education Programme on Physical Activity in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain (END-LC)

Effectiveness of a Pain Neuroscience Education Programme on Physical Activity in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain. Randomised Controlled Trial

Proposing ways to effectively counter chronic low back pain through non-drug intervention is a major public health issue due to the prevalence and health costs of this condition. The back school (BS) is based on spinal economics and a biomechanical model. A convergence of evidence indicates that this type of program does not bring any mid- or long-term benefit. Faced with this observation, a Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) has been developed based on a biopsychosocial model. Chronic low back pain is the consequence of a complex dynamic of multifactorial origin where the body lesion is no longer the only cause of the pain. Studies have shown that PNE has a positive effect on pain perception. One of the limitations of these studies is that they do not allow objective measurement of physical activity performed at a distance from a therapeutic program for patients who have benefited from these educational programs. Yet, physical activity is an essential variable in health and more specifically in the fight against pain in patients with chronic low back pain.

The investigators believe that physical activity is a key factor in improving the condition of patients with chronic low back pain. Consequently, physical activity is an indicator of success but also a guarantee for a lasting effect of educational treatment. In order to measure this physical activity, the use of activity monitor (connected watch) developed in recent years now makes it possible to collect data in an ecological manner that is more objective than the data collected via self-questionnaires.

The main objective of the study is to measure the effectiveness of a PNE on physical activity three months after the intervention compared to BS in patients with chronic low back pain receiving a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program.

The secondary aims are to compare effectiveness of PNE versus BS on pain, quality of life, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, central sensitization at 3 months and at one year after the intervention. In addition, an exploratory analysis will be conducted to determine predictors of physical activity maintenance.

The investigators expect to observe greater physical activity in patients who have received a PNE program compared to the physical activity of patients who have completed an BS program.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Low Back Pain, Recurrent
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Questionnaire; Device: Activity monitor

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 82
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Guillaume THEBAULT; Phone Number: +33 0467235511; Email: guillaume.thebault@hopital-lamalou.fr
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Gaël LE PERF; Phone Number: +33 0467235729; Email: gael.leperf@hopital-lamalou.fr

Study Locations

• France
  • Lamalou-les-Bains, France, 34240
    • Recruiting
    • Hospital Center Paul Coste Floret
    • Contact: Guillaume THEBAULT; Phone Number: 0467235511; Email: guillaume.thebault@hopital-lamalou.fr
    • Contact: Gaël LE PERF; Phone Number: 0467235729; Email: gael.leperf@hopital-lamalou.fr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient over 18 years of age.
• Ordinary back pain according to the High Authority for Health criteria 2019
• Chronic back pain (> 3months)
• Start Back Screening Tool > 3
• Partial hospitalization at the Lamalou-les-Bains Hospital for a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject with a comorbidity that limits walking (e.g. central neurological disorder)
• Subject with current psychiatric or cognitive co-morbidity that does not allow educational programs to be completed
• Stay following a surgical procedure of less than three months
• Other specific low back pain treatment planned during the 3 months of follow-up (surgery, infiltration)
• Patient participating in another clinical trial related to low back pain
• Subject does not understand the French language.
• Pregnant woman, parturient or nursing
• Subject with a legal protection measure (guardianship, curators)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Pain Neuroscience Education; The Pain Neuroscience Education program takes place over ten days consisting of providing knowledge about the neurophysiology and central processes of pain (nociceptive pathways, inhibitory circuits, peripheral and central sensitization, nervous system plasticity) as well as psychosocial factors and beliefs contributing to chronic pain. Workshops will use experimental data from neuroscience, but also analogies, brainstorming or games. Questions are proposed to the patient at the end of each theme.	Other: Questionnaire; Self and hetero assessments measuring pain, different determinants of chronic pain and physical activity; Device: Activity monitor; Measure of number of steps and physical activity during one week using the activity monitor (connected watch) named the ActiGraph-wGT3X-BT medical device, Pre-test before intervention, post-test 3-months and 1-year after intervention
Active Comparator: Back School; The Back School program takes place over ten days. It begins with a presentation of spinal economy, which consists of promoting the protection of the back. Then, the anatomy and biomechanics of the spine as well as the most common spinal pathologies are presented. On this biomechanical basis, the other sessions consist in indicating the gestures and postures to adopt, always according to the protection policy, in different situations. These different sessions alternate between theory and practical exercises.	Other: Questionnaire; Self and hetero assessments measuring pain, different determinants of chronic pain and physical activity; Device: Activity monitor; Measure of number of steps and physical activity during one week using the activity monitor (connected watch) named the ActiGraph-wGT3X-BT medical device, Pre-test before intervention, post-test 3-months and 1-year after intervention

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Steps 3 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the average number of daily steps calculated over 7 days by an activity monitor (connected watch) named Actigraph wGT3X-BT	3 months after rehabilitation program

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain intensity 3 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the pain intensity. Pain intensity score will evaluated using a Pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) A high score indicates severe pain (0 = absence of pain, 10 = severe pain)	3 months after rehabilitation program
Pain intensity 12 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the pain intensity. Pain intensity score will evaluated using a Pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) A high score indicates severe pain (0 = absence of pain, 10 = severe pain)	12 months after rehabilitation program
Changes in pain intensity 3 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in pain intensity at two different times (before and 3 months after rehabilitation program) Pain intensity score will evaluated using a Pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) A high score indicates severe pain (0 = absence of pain, 10 = severe pain)	between baseline and 3 months
Changes in pain intensity 12 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in pain intensity at two different times (before and 3 months after rehabilitation program) Pain intensity score will evaluated using a Pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) A high score indicates severe pain (0 = absence of pain, 10 = severe pain)	between 3 and 12 months
Central Sensitivity score 3 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the Central Sensitivity score Central Sensitivity score will evaluate with The Central Sensitization Inventory that is a valid screening tool to identify and quantify central sensitization to pain	3 months after rehabilitation program
Central Sensitivity score 12 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the Central Sensitivity score Central Sensitivity score will evaluate with The Central Sensitization Inventory that is a valid screening tool to identify and quantify central sensitization to pain	12 months after rehabilitation program
Changes in Central Sensitivity score 3 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in Central Sensitivity score at two different times (before and 3 months after rehabilitation program). Central Sensitivity score will evaluate with The Central Sensitization Inventory that is a valid screening tool to identify and quantify central sensitization to pain	between baseline and 3 months
Changes in Central Sensitivity score 12 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in pain intensity at two different times (3 and 12 months after rehabilitation program). Central Sensitivity score will evaluate with The Central Sensitization Inventory that is a valid screening tool to identify and quantify central sensitization to pain	between 3 and 12 months
Pain Catastrophizing score 3 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the Pain Catastrophizing score. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale is a questionnaire of 13 statements rated by a five-point ordinal scale, measuring a subject's level of pain catastrophizing.	3 months after rehabilitation program
Pain Catastrophizing score 12 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the Pain Catastrophizing score. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale is a questionnaire of 13 statements rated by a five-point ordinal scale, measuring a subject's level of pain catastrophizing.	12 months after rehabilitation program
Changes in Pain Catastrophizing score 3 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in the Pain Catastrophizing score at two different times (baseline and 3 months after rehabilitation program) The Pain Catastrophizing Scale is a questionnaire of 13 statements rated by a five-point ordinal scale, measuring a subject's level of pain catastrophizing.	between baseline and 3 months
Changes in Pain Catastrophizing score 12 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in the Pain Catastrophizing score at two different times (3 and 12 months after rehabilitation program) The Pain Catastrophizing Scale is a questionnaire of 13 statements rated by a five-point ordinal scale, measuring a subject's level of pain catastrophizing.	between 3 and 12 months
Kinesiophobia scale score 3 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the Kinesiophobia scale score Kinesiophobia scale score will evaluate using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia is a questionnaire of 17 questions rated by a four-point ordinal scale, measuring the fear that pain may occur as a result of movement. These fears can lead to avoidance behaviors and reduced activity	3 months after rehabilitation program
Kinesiophobia scale score 12 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the Kinesiophobia scale score Kinesiophobia scale score will evaluate using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia is a questionnaire of 17 questions rated by a four-point ordinal scale, measuring the fear that pain may occur as a result of movement. These fears can lead to avoidance behaviors and reduced activity	12 months after rehabilitation program
Changes in Kinesiophobia scale score 3 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in the Pain Catastrophizing score at two different times (baseline and 3 months after rehabilitation program) Kinesiophobia scale score will evaluate using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia is a questionnaire of 17 questions rated by a four-point ordinal scale, measuring the fear that pain may occur as a result of movement. These fears can lead to avoidance behaviors and reduced activity	between baseline and 3 months
Changes in Kinesiophobia scale score 12 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in the Pain Catastrophizing score at two different times (3 and 12 months after rehabilitation program) Kinesiophobia scale score will evaluate using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia is a questionnaire of 17 questions rated by a four-point ordinal scale, measuring the fear that pain may occur as a result of movement. These fears can lead to avoidance behaviors and reduced activity	between 3 and 12 months
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure 3 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of Canadian Occupational Performance Measure The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure assess changes in occupational during a semi-structured interview performance	3 months after rehabilitation program
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure 12 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of Canadian Occupational Performance Measure The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure assess changes in occupational during a semi-structured interview performance	12 months after rehabilitation program
Changes in Canadian Occupational Performance Measure 3 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in the Pain Catastrophizing score at two different times (baseline and 3 months after rehabilitation program). The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure assess changes in occupational during a semi-structured interview performance.	between baseline and 3 months
Changes in Canadian Occupational Performance Measure 12 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in the Pain Catastrophizing score at two different times (3 and 12 months after rehabilitation program). The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure assess changes in occupational during a semi-structured interview performance.	between 3 and 12 months
Global Physical Activity score 3 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the Global Physical Activity score. Global Physical Activity score will evaluate using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire consists of 16 questions designed to estimate an individual's level of physical activity in 3 domains (work, transport and leisure time) and time spent in sedentary behavior	3 months after rehabilitation program
Global Physical Activity score 12 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the Global Physical Activity score. Global Physical Activity score will evaluate using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire consists of 16 questions designed to estimate an individual's level of physical activity in 3 domains (work, transport and leisure time) and time spent in sedentary behavior	12 months after rehabilitation program
Changes in the global Physical Activity score 3 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in the global Physical Activity score at two different times (baseline and 3 months after rehabilitation program). Global Physical Activity score will evaluate using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire consists of 16 questions designed to estimate an individual's level of physical activity in 3 domains (work, transport and leisure time) and time spent in sedentary behavior	between baseline and 3 months
Changes in the global Physical Activity score 12 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in the global Physical Activity score at two different times (3 and 12 months after rehabilitation program). Global Physical Activity score will evaluate using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire consists of 16 questions designed to estimate an individual's level of physical activity in 3 domains (work, transport and leisure time) and time spent in sedentary behavior	between 3 and 12 months
Hospital Anxiety and Depression score 3 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression score Hospital Anxiety and Depression score will evaluate using Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale consists of 7 items designed to evaluate depression and 7 for the anxiety.	3 months after rehabilitation program
Hospital Anxiety and Depression score 12 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression score Hospital Anxiety and Depression score will evaluate using Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale consists of 7 items designed to evaluate depression and 7 for the anxiety.	12 months after rehabilitation program
Changes in Hospital Anxiety and Depression score 3 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in Hospital Anxiety and Depression score at two different times (baseline and 3 months after rehabilitation program). Hospital Anxiety and Depression score will evaluate using Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale consists of 7 items designed to evaluate depression and 7 for the anxiety.	between baseline and 3 months
Changes in Hospital Anxiety and Depression score 12 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in Hospital Anxiety and Depression score at two different times (3 and 12 months after rehabilitation program). Hospital Anxiety and Depression score will evaluate using Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale consists of 7 items designed to evaluate depression and 7 for the anxiety.	between baseline and 12 months
Changes in Number of Steps 3 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in the average number of daily steps calculated over 7 days by an activity monitor (connected watch) named Actigraph wGT3X-BT at two different times (before and 3 months after rehabilitation program)	between baseline and 3 months
Changes in Number of Steps 12 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in the average number of daily steps calculated over 7 days by an activity monitor (connected watch) named Actigraph wGT3X-BT at two different times (3 and 12 months after rehabilitation program)	between 3 months and 12 months
Number of Steps 12 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the average number of daily steps calculated over 7 days by an an activity monitor (connected watch) named Actigraph wGT3X-BT	12 months after rehabilitation program
Quality of Life Score 3 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the Quality of Life Score The Quality of Life Score will evaluate with the Short Form (36) Health Survey questionnaire that is multidimensional assessment of quality of life	3 months after rehabilitation program
Quality of Life Score 12 months after rehabilitation program	Comparison between the two arms of the Quality of Life Score The Quality of Life Score will evaluate with the Short Form (36) Health Survey questionnaire that is multidimensional assessment of quality of life	12 months after rehabilitation program
Changes in the Quality of Life Score 3 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in Quality of Life Score at two different times (baseline and 3 months after rehabilitation program). The Quality of Life Score will evaluate with the Short Form (36) Health Survey questionnaire that is multidimensional assessment of quality of life	between baseline and 3 months after rehabilitation
Changes in the Quality of Life Score 12 months after rehabilitation program	Changes in Quality of Life Score at two different times (3 and 12 months after rehabilitation program). The Quality of Life Score will evaluate with the Short Form (36) Health Survey questionnaire that is multidimensional assessment of quality of life	between 3 and 12 months after rehabilitation program

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Hospital, Montpellier

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Thebault G, Duflos C, Le Perf G. Effectiveness of a pain neuroscience education programme on the physical activity of patients with chronic low back pain compared with a standard back school programme: protocol for a randomised controlled study (END-LC). BMJ Open. 2024 Jun 3;14(6):e080079. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080079.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 2, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 21, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 21, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): May 3, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): September 30, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 24, 2025
• Last Verified: September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Low back pain; Physical activity; Pain Neurosciences Education
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Back Pain; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior; Signs and Symptoms; Low Back Pain; Motor Activity; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Investigative Techniques; Epidemiologic Methods; Data Collection; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Public Health; Environment and Public Health; Equipment and Supplies; Electrical Equipment and Supplies; Diagnostic Equipment; Wearable Electronic Devices; Surveys and Questionnaires; Fitness Trackers
• Other Study ID Numbers: RECHMPL21_0513; ID-RCB (Other Identifier: 2025-A02239-40)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No