Pain neuroscience education improves knowledge and satisfaction in adolescents with and without intellectual...

To assess satisfaction and pain-related knowledge levels following an inclusive Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) programme in improving pain-related knowledge and perceived satisfaction among adolescents with and without intellectual disabilities, and to assess its applicability in digital health education settings. Methods: A multicentre, cross-sectional study was conducted in 15 public schools. A total of 373 students (5th-6th grade), including those with intellectual disabilities, participated in a hybrid-format PNE programme delivered in two 90-minute sessions. Satisfaction and knowledge were assessed using an adapted, easy-to-read questionnaire, with exploratory factor analysis identifying three core domains: activity format, teacher evaluation, and SDG-related training. Results: Overall satisfaction and knowledge gains were high across all participants. No significant differences were found between students with and without intellectual disabilities or between urban and rural schools in satisfaction and teacher evaluation. However, rural students reported greater awareness of the SDG-related content (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The adapted PNE programme was well-received and associated with high levels of pain-related knowledge across diverse educational contexts. Its inclusive and hybrid design supports its potential scalability through digital health strategies, promoting equity in pain education.