New approach aims to ease chronic pain in breast cancer survivors without drugs

NCT ID NCT04531917

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether combining pain neuroscience education (teaching patients about how pain works) with a gradual, timed increase in physical activity can reduce chronic pain in breast cancer survivors. About 122 survivors who have finished cancer treatment will be randomly assigned to either this combined program or usual care (an information leaflet). The goal is to see if the program lowers pain intensity and improves quality of life over three months, with follow-up lasting two years.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Pain neuroscience education and behavioural graded activity
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a non-drug way to manage chronic pain and improve quality of life for breast cancer survivors.
What could go wrong: This is a relatively small, early-stage trial (122 participants) testing a behavioural intervention, so results may not apply broadly. The effect may be modest, and long-term benefits are uncertain.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for BREAST CANCER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast cancer breast neoplasm Chronic Pain chronic pain syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BREAST NEOPLASMS CHRONIC PAIN SURVIVORS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Jette, Brussels Capital, 1090, Belgium

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.