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Poke and a Placebo

Will Negative Phrasing Create a Nocebo Effect During Epidural Placement When Compared to Positive Phrasing? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Who can join

Ages 18 and older · Women · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

* pregnancy
* requesting an epidural for the first time

Exclusion Criteria:

* previous epidural (either for labor or for surgery)
* BMI greater than 40 kg/m\^2
* previous lumbar spine surgery
* inability to speak English
* a history of chronic pain or are on chronic opioids
* a history of opioid drug abuse

About the study

To discover if a positive description of the procedure for an epidural can reduce the overall pain score associated with the procedure.

What is being tested

• Negative Connotation Langauge (behavioral)
• Positive Connotation Language (behavioral)

Sponsor: University of Minnesota · Participants: 30 · Started: Jul 12, 2021

Contact the study team

• Aaron Berg, MD · Phone: 612-624-9990
• Jonah Pearson, MD · Phone: 612-625-6659

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT04497220

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.