Evaluation of Alexithymia and Its Relationship With Clinical Parameters in Patients With Chronic Coccydynia
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorMarmara University
About this trial
This study aims to investigate the prevalence and levels of alexithymia in patients diagnosed with chronic coccydynia (tailbone pain lasting for 3 months or longer) and to explore its relationship with various clinical and psychological parameters. Chronic coccydynia can significantly impair daily activities, functionality, and reduce quality of life. Participants in this prospective, observational study will be evaluated during their routine visits to the pain management clinic. Evaluation of the participants will be performed using validated self-report questionnaires, including the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) for alexithymia, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for mood symptoms, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-33) for early life adverse experiences, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) for quality of life. The primary objective of the study is to determine how alexithymia relates to pain severity, duration, emotional symptoms, childhood trauma history, and overall quality of life in this specific population. The results of this pilot study may help strengthen the biopsychosocial approach in the evaluation of chronic coccydynia and optimize future multidisciplinary treatment strategies.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Volunteering to participate in the study and providing written informed consent
Being literate and having the mental capacity to comprehend the questionnaires
Having no active, treated severe psychiatric disorder (such as schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder)
Disqualifiers
- Cognitive impairment or communication barriers that compromise the capacity to consent
Active psychotic disorder or manic episode
Suspected self-harm or suicide risk during the clinical interview
Distinct secondary causes of pain such as malignancy, active infection, or acute fracture
Trial population
Patients aged 18 and older who present to the algology outpatient clinic and meet the diagnostic criteria for chronic coccydynia lasting for 3 months or longer.
Trial design
Design model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Treatments tested in this trial
Not listed
Trial groups
15 Participants
are grouped into 1 trial groupGroup A: Chronic Coccydynia Patients
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) Score
A 20-item self-report questionnaire used to evaluate the presence and severity of alexithymia. It assesses three subscales: difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally-oriented thinking. Total scores range from 20 to 100, where higher scores indicate a higher level of alexithymia.
Time frame
Baseline (Single-time assessment during the clinical interview)Secondary outcomes
1
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain
A 10-cm horizontal scale used to measure pain intensity. Scores range from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Participants indicate their current tailbone pain level on this line.
Time frame
Baseline (Single-time assessment)2
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Score
A 14-item self-report questionnaire consisting of two subscales: anxiety (7 items) and depression (7 items). Each subscale is scored from 0 to 21, where higher scores reflect greater severity of anxiety or depression. Cut-off scores are 10 for anxiety and 7 for depression.
Time frame
Baseline (Single-time assessment)3
Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-33) Score
A 33-item scale evaluating retrospective childhood and adolescent adverse experiences. It assesses emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect, and overprotection-control. Total scores range from 25 to 150, with higher scores representing more severe childhood trauma.
Time frame
Baseline (Single-time assessment)4
Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) Score
A 12-item health-related quality of life survey consisting of 8 domains. Total and component scores range from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life.
Time frame
Baseline (Single-time assessment)Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov