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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07107360

The Effect of Pain Neuroscience Education on Preoperative Anxiety and Postoperative Recovery in Patients Scheduled for Orthopedic Surgery

This study aimed to investigate the effects of preoperative PNE on preoperative anxiety, pain-related beliefs, and postoperative functional outcomes in patients undergoing upper extremity orthopedic surgery.

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Key information

Conditions

Orthopaedic Surgery Upper Extremity

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Istanbul Atlas University

Istanbul, Kagıthane, 34413, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This study was designed as a single-blind, randomized controlled trial. It was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, adhering to ethical principles for medical research involving human participants. The study was completed with a total of 33 participants aged between 18 and 65 years who were scheduled for upper extremity surgery. Participants were randomly assigned to either the pain neuroscience education group or the control group.

The inclusion criteria were as follows: aged between 18 and 65 years; scheduled for upper extremity orthopedic surgery; able to communicate effectively (i.e., speaks Turkish fluently, understands verbal and written instructions, and has no speech impairments); and willing to voluntarily participate in the study.

Participants were excluded from the study if they met any of the following conditions: mental or cognitive impairments; are currently using medication for anxiety or related conditions; taking painkillers regularly; or have undergone any surgical procedures within the past year.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • aged between 18 and 65 years
  • scheduled for upper extremity orthopedic surgery; able to communicate effectively (i.e., speaks Turkish fluently,
  • understands verbal and written instructions, and has no speech impairments);
  • willing to voluntarily participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • any mental or cognitive impairments
  • currently using medication for anxiety or related conditions
  • taking painkillers regularly
  • have undergone any surgical procedures within the past year.

Treatment and study plan

Pain neuroscience education

Other

The study included two groups, consisting of participants who met the inclusion criteria and adhered to the procedures. Participants in the intervention group received a 20-minute Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) session delivered face-to-face one hour prior to their scheduled surgery. The PNE focused on the biopsychosocial aspects of pain and included both theoretical and practical strategies for postoperative pain management.

Conventional preoperative education

Other

Participants in the experimental group received pain neuroscience education, while participants in the control group received a booklet summarizing this education in addition to routine preoperative care.

Primary outcomes

  1. pain-related beliefs

    Time frame: Assessments were performed at two time points: one hour prior to surgery and one month after surgery.

    Pain Catastrophizing: The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) was developed in 1995 by Michael J. L. Sullivan and colleagues (Sullivan et al., 1995). The PCS is a 13-item self-report measure that assesses the extent of catastrophizing in the context of actual or anticipated pain. It conceptualizes catastrophizing as a multidimensional construct, measured across three subscales: rumination, magnification, and helplessness. Rumination refers to the tendency to focus on pain-related thoughts, helplessness reflects a perceived inability to cope with painful situations, and magnification represents an exaggerated interpretation of the threat value of pain.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Atlas University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Pain Neuroscience Education for Patients Undergoing Orthopaedic Surgery: Exploring Preoperative Anxiety and Improving Postoperative Recovery

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 6, 2025
Registry last updated
Aug 6, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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