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

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

Interventions

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.

BEHAVIORAL

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.

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istinye University

  collaborator OTHER

• Sena Öndeş

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-01-15

Primary Completion

2026-10-15

Completion

2026-12-15