Will Negative Phrasing Create a Nocebo Effect During Epidural Placement When Compared to Positive Phrasing? A Randomized Controlled Trial
University of Minnesota
Summary
To discover if a positive description of the procedure for an epidural can reduce the overall pain score associated with the procedure.
Description
The study intervention consists of two separate scripts read to the patient by the anesthesiologist performing their labor epidural. One script will contain the wording "Poke and a burn" prior to subcutaneous local anesthetic administration for the epidural placement and one will contain "this is numbing medication, which will make the rest of the procedure go easier". There will be no difference in the epidural placement, medications, or the rest of the script.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * pregnancy * requesting an epidural for the first time Exclusion Criteria: * previous epidural (either for labor or for surgery) * BMI greater than 40 kg/m\^2 * previous lumbar spine surgery * inability to speak English * a history of chronic pain or are on chronic opioids * a history of opioid drug abuse
Interventions
- BehavioralNegative Connotation Langauge
The study intervention consists of two separate scripts read to the patient by the anesthesiologist performing their labor epidural. The control script includes language containing the wording "Poke and a burn" said prior to numbing medication for the epidural procedure. There will be no difference in the epidural placement, medications, or the rest of the script.
- BehavioralPositive Connotation Language
The study intervention consists of two separate scripts read to the patient by the anesthesiologist performing their labor epidural. The experimental script includes language containing the wording "this is numbing medication, which will make the rest of the procedure go easier" said prior to numbing medication for the epidural procedure. There will be no difference in the epidural placement, medications, or the rest of the script.
Location
- University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, Minnesota