Can a specific biobehavioral-based therapeutic education program lead to changes in pain perception and brain plasticity biomarkers in chronic pain patients? A study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

<h4>Background</h4>Chronic pain conditions are complex multifactorial disorders with physical, psychological, and environmental factors contributing to their onset and persistence. Among these conditions, the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the impact of a specific t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Silvia Di Bonaventura, Josué Fernández Carnero, Raúl Ferrer-Peña
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2024-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0289430&type=printable
Description
Summary:<h4>Background</h4>Chronic pain conditions are complex multifactorial disorders with physical, psychological, and environmental factors contributing to their onset and persistence. Among these conditions, the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the impact of a specific therapeutic education (TE) on pain management have emerged as important areas of research.<h4>Objective</h4>This study aims to investigate the effects of a specific type of therapeutic education on pain levels and BDNF concentrations.<h4>Methods</h4>In this single-blind, randomized clinical trial, patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one will receive exercise with TE and the other without TE. Assessments will be made at baseline, mid-treatment, post-intervention, and at one and eight months.<h4>Outcomes</h4>This study will shed light on the effectiveness of a therapeutic education (TE) program in pain management. Additionally, it will provide information on its effects on BDNF levels, a biomarker of brain plasticity, as well as on various psychosocial variables that can influence pain experience.<h4>Conclusion</h4>By comprehensively addressing the need to quantify brain changes more precisely in individuals with chronic pain during interventions like TE and recognizing the importance of establishing a more structured and comprehensive protocol, this study lays a solid and replicable foundation for future evidence-based treatment developments.
ISSN:1932-6203