CHALLENGES OF PAIN NEUROSCIENCE EDUCATION IN PHYSICAL THERAPY: METASYNTHESIS OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

Metasynthesis of the perceptions of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain

Abstract

Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain (CMP) is a complex condition and one of the major causes of functional disability, with the Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) being considered one important strategy in physiotherapy treatment. The aim of this study was to explore which are the CMP patients' perceptions about PNE strategies in physiotherapy treatment. This study is a metasynthesis and the articles were selected by two researchers independently and were thematically analyzed. Seven studies composed this review and three relevant thematics were identified: (1) Beliefs and experiences in the process of pain reconceptualization, (2) influence of the pedagogic strategies about under pain reconceptualization (3), relationship between pain reconceptualization and clinic benefits. The studies indicate that the participants found challenges in the process of pain reconceptualization, the biggest being the change in the belief that pain intensity is directly related to tissue injury. The participants demonstrated to prefer long interventions, in group and associated to exercises, besides pedagogic strategies that provide explanations that comprise their experiences.