Pain Neuroscience Education and Basic Body Awareness Therapy in Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain

NCT ID: NCT07328672

Last Updated: 2026-01-09

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 45 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2026-01-15
• Study Completion Date: 2026-12-15

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of Pain Neuroscience Education and Basic Body Awareness Therapy, when added to standard physiotherapy and rehabilitation, on pain, autonomic nervous system responses, and pelvic floor muscle activity in women with chronic pelvic pain. A total of 45 women diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain will be randomly allocated into three groups: (1) standard physiotherapy and rehabilitation, (2) standard physiotherapy plus Pain Neuroscience Education, and (3) standard physiotherapy plus Basic Body Awareness Therapy. The study will assess pain intensity (algometry, NRS, SF-MPQ), pain catastrophizing, autonomic responses (electrodermal activity), pelvic floor muscle activation (EMG), and related psychological, cognitive, and body awareness parameters. Secondary outcomes will include sexual function, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. The aim is to compare two awareness-based interventions-one primarily mind-to-body (Pain Neuroscience Education) and the other body-to-mind (Basic Body Awareness Therapy)-to determine their relative and complementary effects on pain perception and physiological regulation in women with chronic pelvic pain.

Conditions

Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome; Female

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Pain Neuroscience Education + Standard Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Participants receive the standard physiotherapy and rehabilitation program in addition to structured Pain Neuroscience Education sessions.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Pain Neuroscience Education

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) group will receive the same physiotherapy program plus weekly educational sessions focused on pain neurophysiology, central sensitization, and cognitive reframing strategies, delivered by a physiotherapist trained in Pain Neuroscience Education.

Standard Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The interventions will be conducted over 8 weeks, with sessions held twice per week.

The Standard Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation program includes pelvic floor muscle relaxation, myofascial release, stretching, breathing and relaxation exercises, and aerobic training.

Basic Body Awareness Therapy + Standard Physiotherapy Group

Participants receive the standard physiotherapy and rehabilitation program in addition to Basic Body Awareness Therapy sessions focusing on posture, movement and breathing.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Standard Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The interventions will be conducted over 8 weeks, with sessions held twice per week.

The Standard Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation program includes pelvic floor muscle relaxation, myofascial release, stretching, breathing and relaxation exercises, and aerobic training.

Basic Body Awareness Therapy

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) group will receive the same physiotherapy program plus weekly body awareness sessions emphasizing postural alignment, movement control and breathing. Exercises will be practiced in supine, sitting, and standing positions to enhance body-mind awareness.

All interventions will be supervised by an experienced pelvic floor physiotherapist at Istinye University.

Standard Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Group

Participants receive standard pelvic physiotherapy and rehabilitation interventions, including relaxation training, myofascial release, stretching, breathing, and aerobic exercises.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The interventions will be conducted over 8 weeks, with sessions held twice per week.

The Standard Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation program includes pelvic floor muscle relaxation, myofascial release, stretching, breathing and relaxation exercises, and aerobic training.

Interventions

Pain Neuroscience Education

The Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) group will receive the same physiotherapy program plus weekly educational sessions focused on pain neurophysiology, central sensitization, and cognitive reframing strategies, delivered by a physiotherapist trained in Pain Neuroscience Education.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Standard Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

The interventions will be conducted over 8 weeks, with sessions held twice per week.

The Standard Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation program includes pelvic floor muscle relaxation, myofascial release, stretching, breathing and relaxation exercises, and aerobic training.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Basic Body Awareness Therapy

The Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) group will receive the same physiotherapy program plus weekly body awareness sessions emphasizing postural alignment, movement control and breathing. Exercises will be practiced in supine, sitting, and standing positions to enhance body-mind awareness.

All interventions will be supervised by an experienced pelvic floor physiotherapist at Istinye University.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Women with any type of chronic pelvic pain, including pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, endometriosis, vulvodynia, genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, or bladder pain syndrome, with pain persisting for six months or longer.

Exclusion Criteria

• Presence of pelvic infections, inflammatory conditions, or pelvic malignancy.
• Pregnancy.
• History of urogynecological surgery within the last six months.
• Presence of advanced pelvic organ prolapse.
• Patients currently receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
• Patients whose primary complaint is not chronic pelvic pain.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 20 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Istinye University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Sena Öndeş

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Sena Öndeş

Lecturer

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Other Identifiers

DrThesis

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id