Influence of Oral Messages on the Activity of Wrist and Finger Flexor Muscles

People's words can have a huge impact on how we interpret our surroundings, what we expect and experience, and how we behave. The placebo (and nocebo) effects are a clear example here. The way health professionals discuss, describe and inform patients about the characteristic effects of a given disease, its prevention, diagnosis and treatment influences patients' feelings and expectations, which in turn affects their psychobiological responses, subjective feelings and treatment outcomes.

The right choice of words by clinicians influences patients' response to medical treatments and procedures, both active and sham. The way in which information about the effects of treatment is communicated to patients can reinforce the outcomes of a particular treatment (placebo) or reverse clinically-proven effects of an active treatment, or even increase its adverse effects. The right messages can reduce the nocebo effect. And vice versa, the wrong choice of information provided may increase the patient's anxiety and disease symptoms.

The aim of the study will be to evaluate the effect of oral messages on wrist and finger flexor muscle activity during the application of sham therapy in the form of paper plaster.

Main hypothesis:

The use of a positive message will have an effect on increasing the activation and strength of the flexor muscles of the wrist joint and fingers.

Research questions:

• Does a positive message have an effect on increasing the activation and strength of the flexor muscles of the wrist joint and fingers?
• Does a negative message have an effect on increasing the activation and strength of the flexor muscles of the wrist joint and fingers? Does a neutral message have an effect on increasing the activation and strength of the flexor muscles of the wrist joint and fingers?

The study will be a prospective, flow-up study using a differential variable in the form of the type of message used (positive - placebo, negative - nocebo, neutral). The respondents will be randomly allocated to study groups using sealed allocation sheets.

Before taking part in the study, each subject will be familiarised with the course of the study and must give written informed consent to participate in the study and to be randomly assigned to a specific study group.

The subjects will be assessed twice - before applying a paper plaster and 10 minutes after applying the plaster and delivering a voice message.

Inclusion criteria

• subjects not using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for at least one week prior to study entry,
• age - 19-24 years,
• written consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• subjects studying for a degree in physiotherapy,
• subjects post surgery on the examined upper limb,
• subjects with past bone fractures in the examined upper limb,
• subjects who have had an injury to the examined upper limb within 6 months before the start of the study.