Mind over MRI: could rewording scan reports ease back pain?
NCT ID NCT06103474
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 30, 2026 · Updated 2 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.
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.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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UAB
Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States
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