Psychologic Factors Do Not Affect Placebo Responses After Upper Extremity Injections: A Randomized Trial

Abstract

Level II, therapeutic study.

Is This Going to Hurt, Doc? Predicting Pain with Corticosteroid Injections for Upper Extremity Conditions

“…Physician factors have been shown to be important for patient outcomes and decision-making. 10,13 We demonstrated that physicians have an important ability to predict patient pain with CSIs for common conditions of the upper extremity. This study provides support for physicians' clinical acumen when counseling patients before injection.…”

“…It is well established that patient psychologic factors and social determinants of health influence health outcomes. [9][10][11] This applies to hand and upper extremity conditions as well. Higher rates of upper extremity disability have been demonstrated in patients with pain anxiety, heightening illness concern, and fear of movement.…”

A Conversation with … Ted J. Kaptchuk, Expert in Placebo Effects

“…Leopold: What should journals do differently to deal with your many discoveries about placebos, and, in case journals don't come around, what should readers do differently when they engage with surgical journals on these points? Prof. Kaptchuk: I see journals (including CORR) increasingly showing interest in placebo studies [7]. My team has no problem finding good venues for publication.…”

“…Prof . Kaptchuk: I see journals (including CORR ) increasingly showing interest in placebo studies [7]. My team has no problem finding good venues for publication.…”

CORR Insights®: Psychologic Factors Do Not Affect Placebo Responses After Upper Extremity Injections: A Randomized Trial

“…In the current study, Crijns and colleagues [3] examine the psychological factors associated with decreased disability and pain intensity after placebo injections for the treatment of painful nontraumatic upper extremity conditions. They also investigated the psychological factors associated with achieving a minimum clinically important difference in disability and pain intensity for those treated with placebo intervention.…”