Cost Information on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Decisions

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Interventions: Other: Societal cost

• Registration Number: NCT03880812
• Lead Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the provision of societal cost information affects patients' decisions whether or not to undergo surgical management in carpal tunnel syndrome, using a hypothetical scenario.

Detailed Description

Given the large societal costs of carpal tunnel surgery and existence of a relatively inexpensive treatment option, carpal tunnel release provides fertile ground for testing whether societal costs can influence patient decision-making in hand surgery. Such work would inform future efforts to reduce societal healthcare costs by elucidating whether appeals to societal cost are effective at driving stewardship of limited healthcare resources at the patient level. In this study, the investigators aimed to answer this question by presenting participants with a hypothetical scenario in which the participants had to choose between surgery and wrist bracing for carpal tunnel syndrome. Participants were randomized into two cohorts and societal cost information was presented to the intervention group. The effect of societal cost information on treatment choice is assessed, along with participants' healthcare attitudes.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2018-09-24
• Primary Completion: 2018-12-26
• Study Completion: 2018-12-26
• Status Verified: 2019-03
• Study First Submitted: 2019-03-13
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-03-18
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-03-18
• Study First Posted: 2019-03-19
• Last Update Posted: 2019-03-19

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 184

Inclusion Criteria

• English speaking upper extremity patients
• Nontraumatic condition

Exclusion Criteria

• Traumatic condition

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Cost group	Societal cost	These patients reviewed total societal costs associated with carpal tunnel release.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of participants choosing carpal tunnel release or splinting	Immediately after reading the hypothetical scenario	Choice for carpal tunnel release over splinting. All participants were presented a hypothetical case of mild carpal tunnel syndrome. The scenario described (nocturnal) symptoms of numbness and tingling and two treatment choices: carpal tunnel release or wrist splinting. In addition, participants were randomized to review total annual societal cost information for CTR procedures in the United States. After reviewing the case, participants were asked to indicate if they would choose surgery (more expensive) or splinting (less expensive). Scoring was measured on a 6-point ordinal Likert scale (ranging from 1="Definitely not" to 6="Definitely").

Trial Locations

Locations (6)

Austin Regional Clinic; 🇺🇸 Austin, Texas, United States

Seton Institute for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; 🇺🇸 Austin, Texas, United States

HTB Musculoskeletal Institute; 🇺🇸 Austin, Texas, United States

Texas Orthopedics; 🇺🇸 Austin, Texas, United States

Orthopedic Specialists of Austin; 🇺🇸 Austin, Texas, United States

ATX Ortho; 🇺🇸 Austin, Texas, United States