2019 Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 31-37
Pain neuroscience education (PNE) is effective in alleviating pain and improving psychological outcomes in patients of chronic pain; however, the evidence of its effectiveness in treating hospitalized high tibial osteotomy (HTO) patients is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to report the implementation and outcomes of physical therapistdelivered postoperative PNE to HTO patients. The participants were 32 patients with knee osteoarthritis, aged 50 years and older, who were undergoing the HTO procedure. The PNE was conducted in a group setting, starting one week after the surgery; there were five one-hour long weekly sessions. In addition, participants were given printed information related to the course components. Primary outcomes of rest and walking pain scores were measured by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcomes were assessed by Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ), quadriceps strength, and walking speed. Measurements were taken before surgery and five weeks after surgery to ascertain any intervention effects. After the intervention, a significant improvement in walking pain and PCS scores indicated the effect size was large. Therefore, PNE intervention in hospitalized HTO patients may be effective; it is necessary to consider the setting and a control group.
