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.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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18 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2024
- Finished
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Nov 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * History of lower back pain undergoing MRI * Greater than 18 years of age * Able to understand and willing to comply with all study procedures and is available for the duration of the study Exclusion Criteria: * A potential subject who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in the study: * Acute lower back pain secondary to trauma within 1 months * Severe cord compression on MRI * Cord signal abnormality on MRI * Metastatic cancer * Spinal epidural abscess * Vertebral osteomyelitis * Judgement of the ordering physician (e.g. focal neurologic deficit) * Anything that, in the opinion of the investigator or team, would place the subject at increased risk or preclude the subject's full compliance with or completion of the study
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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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