Reassurance Message for Musculoskeletal Disorders
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores whether a short, reassuring message before a clinic visit can change how adults with common musculoskeletal issues think about and plan for follow-up care. Researchers aim to determine if this message affects patients' interest in additional treatments, such as tests or surgery, and whether they schedule such care afterward. Participants will either read this brief reassurance message or receive usual care, then complete a questionnaire about their interest in further treatment. It suits adults seeking care for non-injury-related muscle or bone conditions. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to innovative research that could enhance patient communication and care strategies.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on how a message affects your interest in follow-up care, not on medication use.
What prior data suggests that this reassurance message is safe for patients with musculoskeletal disorders?
Research shows that reassurance messages, like the one used in this trial, are generally safe and easy for people to handle. Studies have found that these messages can boost confidence and reduce fear in people with muscle and bone pain. No major side effects have been reported from reading or receiving these messages, making them a low-risk way to help patients consider their care options. In short, the reassurance message used in this study is safe for participants.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the Reassurance Message because it offers a simple, non-invasive approach to managing musculoskeletal disorders. Unlike traditional treatments that often involve medications, physical therapy, or surgical options, this method uses a brief, comforting message to empower patients by highlighting that many symptoms are normal and can improve with self-care. This technique could reduce unnecessary medical interventions and help patients make informed decisions about their care, making it a potentially transformative addition to patient management strategies.
What evidence suggests that this reassurance message is effective for musculoskeletal disorders?
In this trial, participants in the intervention arm will receive a brief reassurance message before their musculoskeletal clinic visit. Research has shown that such messages can greatly assist people with muscle and joint pain. Studies have found that these messages reduce fear and boost confidence in managing symptoms. This approach encourages patients to try simpler treatments, like self-care, before considering tests or surgeries. By helping patients feel more informed and in control, these messages can reduce the need for unnecessary follow-up procedures. Overall, reassurance messages appear to be a promising way to guide patients toward choosing less aggressive care options.12367
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults with common musculoskeletal conditions who are considering various treatment options. It's not specified who can't join, but typically those with certain health issues or treatments that could affect the outcome may be excluded.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants read a brief reassurance message and complete a questionnaire about their interest in follow-up care
Follow-up
Participants' scheduled follow-up care is recorded after the clinic visit
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Brief Reassurance Message
Trial Overview
The study is testing if a reassuring message before seeing a doctor influences patients' interest in and decisions about follow-up care like more visits, tests, injections, or surgery compared to usual care without the message.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants randomized to the intervention group will read a brief, easy-to-understand message (generated by a Large Language Model) before their musculoskeletal clinic visit. The message explains that many musculoskeletal symptoms are common, often related to normal body changes, and can improve with simple self-care. It emphasizes that visits, tests, injections, and treatments are often optional, and patients can decide how much care they wish to pursue. After reading the message, participants will complete a short questionnaire rating their interest in follow-up visits, tests, injections, and surgery. Clinicians providing care will be blinded to participants' group assignment.
Participants randomized to the control group will receive usual care prior to their musculoskeletal clinic visit, without any pre-visit reassurance message. They will complete the same questionnaire rating their interest in follow-up visits, tests, injections, and surgery. Clinicians providing care will be blinded to participants' group assignment.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Texas at Austin
Lead Sponsor
Citations
The Impact of Reassurance on Musculoskeletal (MSK) Pain
The reassurance provided during patient-therapist interactions is significantly associated with psychosocial outcomes, including fear and increased confidence.
Reassurance use and reassurance-related outcomes for ...
This review maps the available evidence describing how patient reassurance is used and assessed in the management of low back pain. There is ...
Clinician experiences in providing reassurance for patients ...
This study provides insights into how reassurance is individualised in clinical practice, including suggestions for clinicians about how to implement ...
The Impact of Reassurance on Musculoskeletal (MSK) Pain
The reassurance provided during patient-therapist interactions is significantly associated with psychosocial outcomes, including fear and increased confidence.
Reassurance and healthcare seeking in people with ...
This study examined patients' perceptions of reassuring communications from surgical spine team practitioners attempting to deliver this message in a single ...
A Detailed Analysis of How Physiotherapists “Give ...
This study explores how “reassurance” is enacted by physiotherapists and back pain patients during an initial consultation.
Patient Characteristics Are Associated With Differences in ...
Patients with higher perceived risk of pain persistence reported perceiving less reassurance in their consultation, on all four subscales of the ...
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