Mind over MRI: could rewording scan reports ease back pain?
NCT ID NCT06103474
First seen Jan 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 24 times
Summary
This completed study tested whether changing the language in MRI reports can reduce the nocebo effect—where negative words in medical reports can make people feel worse. Researchers studied 18 adults with lower back pain who were getting an MRI. They compared standard reports to specially worded clinical reports to see if the new wording could improve pain scores and reduce anxiety.
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Locations
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UAB
Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that simple changes in how doctors write MRI reports can reduce pain and anxiety in patients with lower back pain.
What could go wrong
This is a very small, early study with only 18 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The effect may be small or not reproducible.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.