Influence of Oral Messages on the Activity of Wrist and Finger Flexor Muscles
Condition: Muscle; Communication; Activity, Motor
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The aim of the study will be to evaluate the effect of oral messages on wrist and finger
      flexor muscle activity during the application of sham therapy in the form of paper plaster.

      For years, research has been conducted on the effects of dynamic plaster and rigid plaster on
      muscle function. In many cases, reports from different authors are contradictory. Therefore,
      the planned study will use placebo paper plaster with no proven therapeutic effect.
    

Detailed description: 
      People's words can have a huge impact on how we interpret our surroundings, what we expect
      and experience, and how we behave. The placebo (and nocebo) effects are a clear example here.
      The way health professionals discuss, describe and inform patients about the characteristic
      effects of a given disease, its prevention, diagnosis and treatment influences patients'
      feelings and expectations, which in turn affects their psychobiological responses, subjective
      feelings and treatment outcomes.

      The right choice of words by clinicians influences patients' response to medical treatments
      and procedures, both active and sham. The way in which information about the effects of
      treatment is communicated to patients can reinforce the outcomes of a particular treatment
      (placebo) or reverse clinically-proven effects of an active treatment, or even increase its
      adverse effects. The right messages can reduce the nocebo effect. And vice versa, the wrong
      choice of information provided may increase the patient's anxiety and disease symptoms.

      The aim of the study will be to evaluate the effect of oral messages on wrist and finger
      flexor muscle activity during the application of sham therapy in the form of paper plaster.

      Main hypothesis:

      The use of a positive message will have an effect on increasing the activation and strength
      of the flexor muscles of the wrist joint and fingers.

      Research questions:

        1. Does a positive message have an effect on increasing the activation and strength of the
           flexor muscles of the wrist joint and fingers?

        2. Does a negative message have an effect on increasing the activation and strength of the
           flexor muscles of the wrist joint and fingers? Does a neutral message have an effect on
           increasing the activation and strength of the flexor muscles of the wrist joint and
           fingers?

      The study will be a prospective, flow-up study using a differential variable in the form of
      the type of message used (positive - placebo, negative - nocebo, neutral). The respondents
      will be randomly allocated to study groups using sealed allocation sheets.

      Before taking part in the study, each subject will be familiarised with the course of the
      study and must give written informed consent to participate in the study and to be randomly
      assigned to a specific study group.

      The subjects will be assessed twice - before applying a paper plaster and 10 minutes after
      applying the plaster and delivering a voice message.
    

Intervention name(s): Positive message - placebo; Negative message - nocebo; Neutral message
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Subjects who will be told that "the applied plastering method significantly increases muscle strength" (positive message - placebo).; Subjects who will be told that "the applied plastering method has no effect on muscle strength" (negative message - nocebo).; Subjects who will be told that "the applied plastering method is currently under investigation and the investigators do not know its effects" (neutral message).
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: The study participants will be randomly qualified (allocated via a computer program) to the tree groups: A - positive message - placebo, B - negative message - nocebo, C - neutral message
Masking: Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Basic Science
Keywords: muscle power; muscle activity; sham therapy; oral message