The Effect of Priming of Questionnaire Content on Grip Strength in Patients With Hand and Upper Extremity Illness

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Objectives: To determine the association between priming and measurements of hand function such as grip strength Primary null hypothesis: There is no difference in grip strength (best of three attempts) as a percent of the opposite hand between patients that complete the standard Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) compared to patients that complete the positively adjusted PCS. Secondary null hypotheses: There is no difference in grip strength (last of three attempts) as a percent of the opposite hand between patients that complete the standard PCS compared to patients that complete the positively adjusted PCS. There is no difference in grip strength (best of three attempts) before and after completing the questionnaires between patients that complete the standard PCS compared to patients that complete the positively adjusted PCS.

Detailed Description
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Priming affects all aspects of human behavior. Prior research by the investigators' group determined that completing a positively phrased version of the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) primed patients to report less disability on average than completing the standard PCS. The influence of priming can be better understood by determining if it also affects direct measurements of hand function such as grip strength measures.

Official Title
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The Effect of Priming of Questionnaire Content on Grip Strength in Patients With Hand and Upper Extremity Illness

Conditions
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Hand and Upper Extremity Illness

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Standard PCS
* Other: Grip Strength
* Other: Positively Adjusted PCS


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: All English-speaking adult patients visiting the Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service Exclusion Criteria: Unable to complete enrollment forms due to mental status or language problem

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Standard PCS<br>Grip strength measurements and completes standard PCS | Other: Standard PCS<br>* Subject completes the standard version of the PCS Questionnaire<br>Other: Grip Strength<br>* Research Assistant takes Grip Strength Measurements<br>|
| Experimental: Positive PCS<br>Grip strength measurements and completes positively adjusted PCS | Other: Grip Strength<br>* Research Assistant takes Grip Strength Measurements<br>Other: Positively Adjusted PCS<br>* Subject completes the positively-adjusted version of the PCS Questionnaire<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) | The pain catastrophizing scale is a 13-item scale to measure catastrophic thinking. The scale is from 0-4 and scores range from 0-52, a lower score indicates less catastrophic thinking about pain. | enrollment | 
| Positive Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) | The positive pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) is a positively-phrased 13-item scale to measure catastrophic thinking. The scale is from 0-4 and scores range from 0-52, a higher score indicates less catastrophic thinking about pain. | enrollment | 
| Difference in Grip Strength Measured With Dynamometer | Difference in Grip strength of the non-affected hand after completing intervention. Each participant completed the grip strength measurement 3 times on the non-affected hand at enrollment (day 1). The results reported represent an increase or decrease in mean grip strength and maximum grip strength after completing the intervention. | Day 1 | 
| Difference in Grip Strength Measured With Dynamometer | Difference in Grip strength of the injured hand after completing intervention. Each participant completed the grip strength measurement 3 times on the injured hand at enrollment (day 1). The results reported represent an increase or decrease in mean grip strength and maximum grip strength after completing the intervention. | Day 1 | 
| Difference in Grip Strength Measured With Dynamometer | Difference in Grip strength of both hands after completing intervention. Each participant completed the grip strength measurement 3 times with both hands at enrollment (day 1). The results reported represent an increase or decrease in mean grip strength and maximum grip strength after completing the intervention. | Day 1 |