Effectiveness of Pain Neuroscience Education in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Central Sensitization: A Systematic Review

Beatrice Lepri, Daniele Romani, Lorenzo Storari and Valerio Barbari ()
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Beatrice Lepri: Independent Researcher, 47921 Rimini, Italy
Daniele Romani: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, Bologna Campus, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Lorenzo Storari: Department of Human Neurosciences, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy
Valerio Barbari: Department of Human Neurosciences, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-48

Abstract: Objective: To collect the available evidence about the effectiveness of pain neuroscience education (PNE) on pain, disability, and psychosocial factors in patients with chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain and central sensitization (CS). Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Searches were performed on Pubmed, PEDro, and CINAHL, and only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling patients ≥18 years of age with chronic MSK pain due to CS were included. No meta-analysis was conducted, and qualitative analysis was realized. Results: 15 RCTs were included. Findings were divided for diagnostic criteria (fibromyalgia—FM, chronic fatigue syndrome—CFS, low back pain—LBP, chronic spinal pain—CSP). PNE has been proposed as a single intervention or associated with other approaches, and different measures were used for the main outcomes considered. Conclusions, practice implication: PNE is effective in improving pain, disability, and psychosocial factors in patients with fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain (CLBP)—especially if associated with other therapeutic approaches—and also in patients with CFS and CSP. Overall, PNE seems to be more effective when proposed in one-to-one oral sessions and associated with reinforcement elements. However, specific eligibility criteria for chronic MSK pain due to CS are still lacking in most RCTs; therefore, for future research, it is mandatory to specify such criteria in primary studies.

Keywords: pain neuroscience education; central sensitization; chronic musculoskeletal pain; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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