OBJECTIVE: This study tested a pathway whereby acupuncturists' communication of optimism for treatment effectiveness would enhance patients' satisfaction during treatment, which in turn would contribute to better pain and function outcomes for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. METHODS: Secondary analysis from a 2 arm (real vs. sham acupuncture, high vs. neutral expectations) RCT. 311 patients with knee osteoarthritis receivedacupuncture over 10-12 sessions. Coders rated the degree to which acupuncturists communicated optimism for the treatment's effectiveness. Satisfaction with acupuncture was assessed 4 weeks into treatment. Pain and function were assessed 6 weeks following treatment. RESULTS: Patients experiencing better outcomes were more satisfied with acupuncture during treatment, were younger, and had better baseline pain and function scores. Satisfaction during treatment was greater when patients interacted with more optimistic clinicians and had higher pretreatment expectations for acupuncture efficacy. CONCLUSION: Acupuncturists' communication of optimism about treatment effectiveness contributed to pain and function outcomes indirectly through its effect on satisfaction during treatment. Future research should model pathways through which clinician-patient communication affects mediating variables that in turn lead to improved health outcomes. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: While clinicians should not mislead patients, communicating hope and optimism for treatment effectiveness has therapeutic value for patients.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: This study tested a pathway whereby acupuncturists' communication of optimism for treatment effectiveness would enhance patients' satisfaction during treatment, which in turn would contribute to better pain and function outcomes for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. METHODS: Secondary analysis from a 2 arm (real vs. sham acupuncture, high vs. neutral expectations) RCT. 311 patients with knee osteoarthritis received acupuncture over 10-12 sessions. Coders rated the degree to which acupuncturists communicated optimism for the treatment's effectiveness. Satisfaction with acupuncture was assessed 4 weeks into treatment. Pain and function were assessed 6 weeks following treatment. RESULTS:Patients experiencing better outcomes were more satisfied with acupuncture during treatment, were younger, and had better baseline pain and function scores. Satisfaction during treatment was greater when patients interacted with more optimistic clinicians and had higher pretreatment expectations for acupuncture efficacy. CONCLUSION: Acupuncturists' communication of optimism about treatment effectiveness contributed to pain and function outcomes indirectly through its effect on satisfaction during treatment. Future research should model pathways through which clinician-patient communication affects mediating variables that in turn lead to improved health outcomes. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: While clinicians should not mislead patients, communicating hope and optimism for treatment effectiveness has therapeutic value for patients.
Authors: Simon J Griffin; Ann-Louise Kinmonth; Marijcke W M Veltman; Susan Gillard; Julie Grant; Moira Stewart Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2004 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Lan X Chen; Jun J Mao; Shawn Fernandes; Mary Lou Galantino; Wensheng Guo; Patrick Lariccia; Valerie L Teal; Marjorie A Bowman; H Ralph Schumacher; John T Farrar Journal: J Clin Rheumatol Date: 2013-09 Impact factor: 3.517
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Authors: Valerie van den Eertwegh; Cees van der Vleuten; Renée Stalmeijer; Jan van Dalen; Albert Scherpbier; Sandra van Dulmen Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-05-22 Impact factor: 3.240