Pain Neuroscience Education for Physical Therapy Students

Current physical therapy curricula may not adequately address pain education. Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) is an education tool that focuses on the influence of psychosocial pain triggers to help the patient gain better understanding of the pain experience. PNE is a potentially effective pain management intervention for sufferers of chronic pain. This research explored whether a single lecture/demonstration could produce evidence of enhanced understanding among Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students regarding chronic pain.

The Neuroscience Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) and Health Care Providers Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-Pairs) were both administered pre and post lecture. The NPQ was completed again at 6 months post lecture by subjects who were DPT students. Case vignettes were administered to the DPT students to assess their ability to apply their understanding of PNE.

There was a significant improvement in scores from pre to post NPQ (knowledge of pain) and HC-Pairs (attitudes and beliefs). The DPT students were able to apply their understanding of chronic pain to effectively respond to clinical scenarios. The DPT students retained the knowledge gained in the instructional program as indicated by the results from the 6 month follow-up.