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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02493127

The Effect of Priming of Questionnaire Content on Grip Strength in Patients With Hand and Upper Extremity Illness

Objectives:

To determine the association between priming and measurements of hand function such as grip strength

Primary null hypothesis:

There is no difference in grip strength (best of three attempts) as a percent of the opposite hand between patients that complete the standard Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) compared to patients that complete the positively adjusted PCS.

Secondary null hypotheses:

There is no difference in grip strength (last of three attempts) as a percent of the opposite hand between patients that complete the standard PCS compared to patients that complete the positively adjusted PCS.

There is no difference in grip strength (best of three attempts) before and after completing the questionnaires between patients that complete the standard PCS compared to patients that complete the positively adjusted PCS.

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Key information

Conditions

Hand and Upper Extremity Illness

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

About this study

Priming affects all aspects of human behavior. Prior research by the investigators' group determined that completing a positively phrased version of the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) primed patients to report less disability on average than completing the standard PCS. The influence of priming can be better understood by determining if it also affects direct measurements of hand function such as grip strength measures.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • All English-speaking adult patients visiting the Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service

Exclusion criteria

  • Unable to complete enrollment forms due to mental status or language problem

Treatment and study plan

standard PCS

Other

Subject completes the standard version of the PCS Questionnaire

Grip Strength

Other

Research Assistant takes Grip Strength Measurements

Positively Adjusted PCS

Other

Subject completes the positively-adjusted version of the PCS Questionnaire

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)

    Time frame: enrollment

    The pain catastrophizing scale is a 13-item scale to measure catastrophic thinking. The scale is from 0-4 and scores range from 0-52, a lower score indicates less catastrophic thinking about pain.

  2. Positive Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)

    Time frame: enrollment

    The positive pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) is a positively-phrased 13-item scale to measure catastrophic thinking. The scale is from 0-4 and scores range from 0-52, a higher score indicates less catastrophic thinking about pain.

  3. Difference in Grip Strength Measured With Dynamometer

    Time frame: Day 1

    Difference in Grip strength of the non-affected hand after completing intervention. Each participant completed the grip strength measurement 3 times on the non-affected hand at enrollment (day 1). The results reported represent an increase or decrease in mean grip strength and maximum grip strength after completing the intervention.

  4. Difference in Grip Strength Measured With Dynamometer

    Time frame: Day 1

    Difference in Grip strength of the injured hand after completing intervention. Each participant completed the grip strength measurement 3 times on the injured hand at enrollment (day 1). The results reported represent an increase or decrease in mean grip strength and maximum grip strength after completing the intervention.

  5. Difference in Grip Strength Measured With Dynamometer

    Time frame: Day 1

    Difference in Grip strength of both hands after completing intervention. Each participant completed the grip strength measurement 3 times with both hands at enrollment (day 1). The results reported represent an increase or decrease in mean grip strength and maximum grip strength after completing the intervention.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Massachusetts General Hospital

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2015
First posted
Jul 9, 2015
Registry last updated
Apr 13, 2017

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.