< Back to previous page

Project

Modern pain neuroscience applied to pain in breast cancer survivors: a randomized clinical trial of pain neuroscience education combined with exercise therapy. (FWOTM973)

In Belgium, one out of nine women is diagnosed with breast cancer.
During survivorship, surveillance for recurrence is a top priority.
However, health caretakers and patients are at risk of neglecting other aspects of their health status such as pain that can have a big impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and healthcare costs. One out of three breast cancer survivors (BCS) will face pain complaints long after treatment-ending. Moreover, in about 40% of them no appropriate pain relief can be achieved. The under- recognition and -treatment of pain in BCS urges the need for appropriate pain management. Concomitantly with the recent insights in pain neuroscience, its need for implementation in the oncologic setting is urging. Therefore, within the current innovative project, we propose combining Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) with
exercise therapy as a new biopsychological approach to management of pain in BCS. PNE has proven to be effective in improving pain intensity, physical performance and HRQoL in non- cancer pain population.
The primary scientific objective of this study is to examine whether the combination of PNE + exercise therapy is more effective than biomedical-focused education + exercise therapy in reducing pain in BCS. Secondary objectives of this study are to examine whether the combination of PNE + exercise therapy is more effective than biomedical-focused education + exercise therapy in improving HRQoL and endogenous analgesia in BCS.
Date:1 Nov 2019 →  31 Oct 2023
Keywords:Breast cancer survivors, pain management
Disciplines:Health management, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation