Randomized Controlled Trial of a Nudge Intervention for Common Musculoskeletal Conditions

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a brief, reassuring pre-visit message affects patients' expectations and planned follow-up care in adults with common musculoskeletal conditions. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does reading a brief reassurance message before a clinic visit change how interested patients are in additional care, such as follow-up visits, tests, injections, or surgery? * Does the message affect whether patients actually schedule follow-up care after the visit? Researchers will compare participants who receive the pre-visit reassurance message to those who receive usual care to see if the message changes patients' enthusiasm for care or their follow-up decisions. Participants will: 1. Read a short, easy-to-understand message about musculoskeletal symptoms and options for care (for those in the intervention group) 2. Complete a brief questionnaire rating their interest in follow-up visits, tests, injections, or surgery 3. Have their scheduled follow-up care recorded after the clinic visit

Eligibility

Age range

18+ years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Behavioral
  Nudge intervention

  The intervention involves reading a brief, easy-to-understand message prior to a musculoskeletal clinic visit. The message explains that many musculoskeletal symptoms are common, often related to normal age-related changes, and can improve with simple self-care. It emphasizes that visits, tests, injections, and treatments are often optional, and patients can choose how much care to pursue.

Location