Mind over matter: positive framing may boost pain shot results

NCT ID NCT07498140

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Northwestern University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether describing a common pain shot (epidural steroid injection) in a very positive way helps reduce leg pain more than a neutral description. Researchers will compare three groups: positive framing of the shot, neutral framing of the shot, and neutral framing of pain medications. The goal is to see if a patient's expectations can improve real-world pain relief.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: behavioral intervention (positive or neutral framing of epidural steroid injections)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could show that simply describing a treatment in a positive way improves pain relief, without changing the actual procedure.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage behavioral study, not a drug trial. The effect may be small or not last long, and results may not apply to all patients.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Back Pain radiculopathy sciatica

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

LUMBOSACRAL RADICULOPATHY

Contacts and locations

Locations

First Lviv Medical Union
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Lviv, Ukraine
Northwestern University
RECRUITING

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
Phramongkutklao Military Hospital
RECRUITING

Bangkok, Thailand
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION

Bethesda, Maryland, 20814, United States

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