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Posttraumatic Stress SymptomSINSENTRANCT07313280

Central Sensitization Syndromes and Post-Traumatic Stress in Women: Psychological Profile and Intervention

A study testing CSS-PTSD psychological interventions in people with Posttraumatic Stress Symptom and Central Sensitization, run by University of Malaga at 3 sites in Spain.

Enrolling by invitation

Enrolling by invitation. The study team selects and invites participants, usually from an existing group of patients.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Central Sensitivity Syndromes (CSSs) are a group of conditions that are highly prevalent, particularly among women, and often occur alongside post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years, women only
What is being tested?
CSS-PTSD psychological interventions
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
12 participants
Where
3 sitesSpain
Study dates
2 Oct 2025to Dec 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 65 years
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • being a biological woman.
  • having a medical diagnosis of CSS.
  • scoring >36 on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5, which indicates PTSD in people with chronic pain.
  • having the ability to understand and sign the informed consent form.

Who cannot join

  • having a diagnosis of serious mental illness or neurodegenerative disease.
  • not being fluent in spoken and written Spanish.
  • undergoing treatment for an oncological, degenerative, or terminal disease.

Trial locations and contacts

3 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Spain3 sites
  • Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga_Hospital Civil

    Málaga, Málaga, 29009

  • Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria

    Málaga, Málaga, 29010

  • Área de Gestión Sanitaria Este de Málaga-Axarquía

    Málaga, Torre Del Mar, 29740

Other trials in Spain

About this study

Official title: Psychological Profile Associated With the Complexity of Central Sensitization Syndromes, Comorbid With Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Women: Testing the Effectiveness of a Person-Centered Psychological Intervention

Central Sensitivity Syndromes (CSSs) are a group of conditions that are highly prevalent, particularly among women, and often occur alongside post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This research project has two aims: Study 1) to investigate the psychological profiles of women with CSS-PTSD comorbidity; and Study 2) to design and evaluate the effectiveness of distinct interventions for each profile identified in Study 1.

Read the detailed description

Central Sensitivity Syndromes (CSSs) are a group of conditions, including fibromyalgia and chronic pelvic pain, associated with symptoms such as perceived pain intensity, depression, anxiety, stress, sleep disturbances, and disability. These syndromes are highly prevalent, particularly among women, and often occur alongside post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition stems from a variety of traumatic experiences and manifests as a range of symptoms in individuals with different psychological profiles. However, not all individuals who experience trauma develop PTSD or CSSs, nor do all individuals with CSSs have PTSD or exhibit the same symptom patterns. Transdiagnostic psychological variables may contribute to the development and maintenance of both conditions. Commonly observed factors in both CSSs and PTSD include emotional dysregulation, anxiety sensitivity, experiential avoidance, distress intolerance, and dissociation. These transdiagnostic vulnerability variables could be associated with each profile. Identifying these profiles may enable targeted interventions that address the underlying vulnerabilities driving CSS-PTSD comorbidity. By aligning treatment to individual vulnerability patterns, this approach aims to improve outcomes for women affected by CSS-PTSD.

Four PTSD profiles will be identified:

  • Reactive (with prominent intrusions, avoidance, and hyperarousal).
  • Dysphoric (with anhedonia and negative affect).
  • Dissociative (with high negative and positive dissociative symptoms).
  • Mixed (with high levels of all PTSD symptoms). However, no studies have analysed how these transdiagnostic vulnerability variables (emotion dysregulation, anxiety sensitivity, experiential avoidance, distress intolerance, and dissociation) are grouped and shape the different PTSD symptom profiles in populations with either PTSD or comorbid CSS. Therefore, the analysis of the association between PTSD profiles and transdiagnostic variables is exploratory.

The treatments will be developed based on the variables associated with each profile identified in Study 1.

Being tested
CSS-PTSD psychological interventions
Keywords
Central Sensitivity Syndromes, Post-traumatic stress, Chronic pain, Treatment
Medical subject headings
Chronic Pain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • CSS-PTSD psychological interventionsBehavioural

    The interventions will be developed based on the techniques previously developed within cognitive behavioural approaches, which have demonstrated efficacy in treating both conditions.

Study groups in NCT07313280
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Profile 1_ReactiveExperimentalThe arms will be developed based on the psychological profile identified in Study 1, given that a better understanding of CSS-PTSD comorbidity is necessary to design an effective intervention targeting the specific variables maintaining this condition.
Receives: Behavioral: CSS-PTSD psychological interventions
Profile 2_DysphoricExperimentalThe arms will be developed based on the psychological profile identified in Study 1, as a better understanding of CSS-PTSD comorbidity is necessary to design an effective intervention targeting the specific variables that maintain this condition.
Receives: Behavioral: CSS-PTSD psychological interventions
Profile 3_DissociativeExperimentalThe arms will be developed based on the psychological profile identified in Study 1, given that a better understanding of CSS-PTSD comorbidity is necessary to design an effective intervention targeting the specific variables maintaining this condition.
Receives: Behavioral: CSS-PTSD psychological interventions
Profile 4_MixedExperimentalThe arms will be developed based on the psychological profile identified in Study 1, as a better understanding of CSS-PTSD comorbidity is necessary to design an effective intervention targeting the specific variables that maintain this condition.
Receives: Behavioral: CSS-PTSD psychological interventions

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in anxiety sensitivity

    The Spanish version of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-3). It is a 16-item questionnaire; items are rated from 0 ("Not at all or almost nothing) to 4 ("Very much"), with higher total scores indicating greater anxiety sensitivity.

    Measured: Pre-treatment (T1), Post-treatment (T2; 24 weeks after T1), 3-months follow-up (T3), 6-months follow-up (T4).

  2. Change in emotion dysregulation

    The Spanish brief version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-S SF). It comprises 18 items with a 5-point Likert scale, from 1("Almost never) to 5 "Almost always") divide into 5 subscales: nonacceptance of emotional responses, difficulty engaging in goal-directed behaviour, impulse control difficulties, limited access to emotion regulation strategies, and lack of emotional clarity. Higher total scores indicate greater difficulties in emotion regulation.

    Measured: Pre-treatment (T1), Post-treatment (T2; 24 weeks after T1), 3-months follow-up (T3), 6-months follow-up (T4).

  3. Change in experiential avoidance

    The Spanish version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQ II). It is a brief 7-item instrument; items are a 7-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 1 ("Never") to 7 ("Always"). Higher total scores indicate greater experiential avoidance.

    Measured: Pre-treatment (T1), Post-treatment (T2; 24 weeks after T1), 3-months follow-up (T3), 6-months follow-up (T4).

  4. Change in distress intolerance

    The Spanish version of the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS). It is a 15-item questionnaire; items are rated from 1 ("Strongly agree") to 5 ("Strongly disagree"), with higher total scores indicating greater distress tolerance.

    Measured: Pre-treatment (T1), Post-treatment (T2; 24 weeks after T1), 3-months follow-up (T3), 6-months follow-up (T4).

  5. Change in dissociative symptoms

    The Spanish version of the abbreviated scale of the Dissociative Experiences Scale-Modified (DES-M). It consists of 18 questions, rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale (ranging from 1 = "Never" to 5 = "Always"), with higher total scores indicating greater dissociative symptoms.

    Measured: Pre-treatment (T1), Post-treatment (T2; 24 weeks after T1), 3-months follow-up (T3), 6-months follow-up (T4).

  6. Change in daily symptom monitoring

    Participants will complete an electronic diary from the time of the initial assessment until 30 days post-intervention.

    Electronic diary developed and validated by Åkerblom et al., 2022.

    Measured: Treatment (periprocedural), 1-months follow-up.

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. Change in Central Sensitization Indexes

    1. Spanish Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI). It is a 25-item questionnaire that comprises a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 ('Never') to 4 ('Always'). Higher total scores indicate greater central sensitization symptoms.
    2. Quantitative sensory testing (QST). Tests that allow the nociceptive system to be comprehensively evaluated and obtain objective information on how pain is perceived.

    Measured: Pre-treatment (T1), Post-treatment (T2; 24 weeks after T1), 3-months follow-up (T3), 6-months follow-up (T4).

  2. Change in posttraumatic stress symptoms

    The Spanish version of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5 (PCLC-5). A 20-item self-report, with a Likert-type scale ranging from 1 ("Not at all") to 5 ("Very much"). Higher total scores indicate greater posttraumatic stress symptoms.

    Measured: Pre-treatment (T1), Post-treatment (T2; 24 weeks after T1), 3-months follow-up (T3), 6-months follow-up (T4).

  3. Change in stress symptoms

    Stress subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). It is a 7-item subscale; items are rated from 0 ("Never") to 3 ("Almost always"), with higher total scores indicating greater stress symptoms.

    Measured: Pre-treatment (T1), Post-treatment (T2; 24 weeks after T1), 3-months follow-up (T3), 6-months follow-up (T4).

  4. Change in anxiety and depressive symptoms

    The Spanish version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). It has two subscales (Anxiety and Depression) with 7 questions each, scored 0-3, totaling 0-21 per subscale, where higher scores indicate greater severity

    Measured: Pre-treatment (T1), Post-treatment (T2; 24 weeks after T1), 3-months follow-up (T3), 6-months follow-up (T4).

  5. Change in sleep disturbance

    The Spanish version of PROMIS 8b-item Sleep Disturbance Scale. It uses 8 questions to assess difficulty falling/staying asleep, restlessness, and satisfaction, scored on a 5-point Likert scale (from 1 = "Never" to 5 = "Always"), with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality.

    Measured: Pre-treatment (T1), Post-treatment (T2; 24 weeks after T1), 3-months follow-up (T3), 6-months follow-up (T4).

  6. Change in pain interference

    The Short Form of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI-SF). A 9-item self-report questionnaire assessing pain severity (worst, least, average, current) and its interference with daily life (activity, mood, sleep, work, etc.); items are rated from 0 ("no pain"/"not interferes") to 4 ("worst pain imaginable" /"completely interferes"), with higher total scores indicating greater pain interference.

    Measured: Pre-treatment (T1), Post-treatment (T2; 24 weeks after T1), 3-months follow-up (T3), 6-months follow-up (T4).

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted31 Dec 2025
  2. Study start2 Oct 2025
  3. Primary completionJul 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Study 2 will undertake an empirical investigation employing a manipulative strategy within an experimental design.
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
12 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07313280
Sponsor's protocol ID
PID2023-152784OA-I00
Acronym
SINSENTRA
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
3 Dec 2025
Last updated
31 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing CSS-PTSD psychological interventions in people with Posttraumatic Stress Symptom and Central Sensitization, run by University of Malaga at 3 sites in Spain.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 3 sites in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in anxiety sensitivity (time frame: Pre-treatment (T1), Post-treatment (T2; 24 weeks after T1), 3-months follow-up (T3), 6-months follow-up (T4).). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Dec 2025.

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