Effects of Hip Pain Diagnostic Labels and Their Explanations on Beliefs About Hip Pain and How to Manage It: An Online Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of diagnostic labels and their explanations on people's beliefs about managing hip pain. DESIGN: Online randomized controlled trial involving 626 participants. METHODS: Participants aged ≥45 years with and without hip pain considered a hypothetical scenario (initial doctor consultation for hip pain). They were randomized to receive a diagnostic label and explanation of (1) hip osteoarthritis, (2) persistent hip pain, or (3) hip degeneration. Primary outcomes were the beliefs (1) exercise would damage the hip and (2) surgery is necessary at some stage (scales, 0 = definitely would not/ unnecessary, 10 = definitely would/necessary). Secondary outcomes include..