Predictors of Treatment Expectations in Myofascial Pain Syndrome
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Myofascial Pain Syndromes. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Determining the Predictors of Treatment Expectations in Individuals With Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study
Overview
This cross-sectional study aims to determine the predictors of treatment expectations in individuals with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). MPS is one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal pain and is associated with reduced quality of life. Patients' pre-treatment expectations are known to influence clinical outcomes, yet the factors that predict these expectations have not been established. Adults diagnosed with MPS who are scheduled to receive physiotherapy complete measures of treatment expectations, pain intensity and duration, health-related quality of life, and fatigue. Multiple regression analysis is used to examine the extent to which pain intensity, pain duration, quality of life, and fatigue predict treatment expectations.
Detailed description
Design and setting: Cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted at a private physiotherapy clinic in Konya, Turkiye, between April and August 2026.
Participants: Adults (18 years and older) with a diagnosis of MPS, a pain intensity of at least 3 on a visual analog scale, and scheduled to receive at least two weeks of physiotherapy. Individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis, a chronic systemic disease, or any barrier preventing communication are excluded.
Sample size: Based on an a priori power analysis (G\*Power; effect size 0.15, power 0.80, alpha 0.05), a minimum of 85 participants is required.
Measures: A personal information form; the Treatment Expectation Questionnaire (TEX-Q), Turkish version, as the dependent variable; pain intensity and duration via a visual analog scale; health-related quality of life via the Short Form-36 (SF-36); and fatigue via the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI).
Analysis: Descriptive statistics, the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality, and multiple linear regression models (with 95% confidence intervals) to examine the associations between treatment expectations and pain intensity, pain duration, quality of life, and fatigue. Statistical significance is set at p\<0.05.
Primary outcome measures
- Treatment expectations [Time frame: At enrollment, before the physiotherapy program (single cross-sectional assessment)]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
- Pain intensity [Time frame: At enrollment (single cross-sectional assessment)]
- Pain duration [Time frame: At enrollment (single cross-sectional assessment)]
- Health-related quality of life [Time frame: At enrollment (single cross-sectional assessment)]
- Fatigue [Time frame: At enrollment (single cross-sectional assessment)]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age 18 years and older
- Diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome
- Pain intensity of at least 3 on the Visual Analog Scale
- Scheduled to receive at least two weeks of physiotherapy
Exclusion criteria
- Diagnosed psychiatric disorder
- Chronic systemic disease
- Any barrier preventing communication
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- KTO Karatay University — Konya
Publications
- Cakir F, Gercek H, Ozturk S, Kuru Colak T, Sari Z, Polat MG. The Treatment Expectation Questionnaire Tool: A Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation in Turkey. Eval Health Prof. 2025 Sep;48(3):300-307. doi: 10.1177/01632787241268211. Epub 2024 Jul 26. PMID 39056487
- Alberts J, Lowe B, Glahn MA, Petrie K, Laferton J, Nestoriuc Y, Shedden-Mora M. Development of the generic, multidimensional Treatment Expectation Questionnaire (TEX-Q) through systematic literature review, expert surveys and qualitative interviews. BMJ Open. 2020 Aug 20;10(8):e036169. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036169. PMID 32819942
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07689396 · KaratayUH19