Efficacy of Education on Neurophysiology of Pain Combined to Hypnosis in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Although education on neurophysiology of pain improves disability, there are limited effects in pain intensity. Hypnosis is an approach that has proven useful in pain intensity and psychosocial aspects in some chronic pain conditions, but there is insufficient evidence of its contribution in patients with chronic non specific low back pain. The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of combining education on neurophysiology of pain and hypnosis in patients with chronic non specific low back pain in pain and disability outcomes.

Introduction: Education on pain neurophysiology has beneficial effects on disability and psychosocial aspects in patients with non specific chronic low back pain. However, education has limited effects in pain. Hypnosis is an approach that has proven efficient in pain intensity and psychosocial aspects in some chronic pain conditions, but there is insufficient evidence of its contribution in patients with non specific chronic low back pain.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of combining education on neurophysiology of pain and hypnosis in patients with non specific chronic low back pain in pain and disability outcomes.

Study design: randomized controlled trial with two arms and blinded evaluator. Local study: Interventions will be held at the Universidade Cidade de Sao Paulo (UNICID).

Participants: One hundred patients with chronic non specific low back pain who are on the waiting list for physical therapy care at UNICID physical therapy clinic, interested and eligible for the study will be invited to participate.

Intervention: Patients will be randomized to the education group about pain neurophysiology or to a group that combines education with hypnosis.

Measurements: Clinical outcomes will be obtained after 2 weeks and 3 months after randomization. The primary outcome will be pain intensity (measured by the numerical pain scale) and general disability (measured by the Roland-Morris questionnaire). The secondary outcome will be catastrophic thoughts (measured by PCS-Brazil), specific disability (measured by the Patient-specific function scale) and global perceived effect (measured by the Global Perceived Effect scale).

Limitations: Both the therapist and the patients will not be blinded to the intervention provided.

Hypothesis: This is the first study that will provided results achieved by education about pain neurophysiology using hypnosis in patients with chronic non specific low back pain.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with non specific chronic low back pain, defined as pain or discomfort between the coastal margins and lower gluteal folds, with or without symptoms related to lower limbs for at least three months, of both genders, aged between 18 and 80 years and literate in Portuguese.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with back pain by nerve root compromise, serious spinal pathologies (such as fracture, tumor, inflammatory and infectious diseases), cardio-respiratory and uncompensated metabolic diseases, previous back surgery , pregnancy, presence of some contraindications to exercise, and have a hearing or understanding problem that prevents the understanding of simple information.