The Mere-measurement Effect in Patient-reported Outcomes: A Randomized Control Trial With Speech Pathology Patients

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how the way patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are worded and how often they are asked affect patients' perceptions and behaviors, especially in people with speech disorders. The study focuses on the 'mere-measurement effect,' which suggests that simply asking certain questions might influence patient behavior and feelings about their condition. This trial is a randomized controlled study involving adults with various speech disorders, aiming to find the best ways to collect patient data with minimal burden and potential benefits. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups that differ by how frequently they complete questionnaires (two or four times, weekly or biweekly) and by the wording style (positive or negative). The study also includes two control groups: one of patients without speech disorders and one of healthy individuals, both completing only demographic information and audio recordings. Each session involves completing validated speech and voice health questionnaires and recording voice samples online. During the study, participants complete online questionnaires and record their voice reading a standard text multiple times over one to four weeks. Researchers will measure outcomes including audio recordings, self-esteem scales, and disease activity at baseline and follow-up points. Data privacy is maintained by pseudonymization, and participants can withdraw at any time. The study uses an online platform to collect and manage data securely, aiming to better understand how PROMs influence patients and how to optimize their use.

The Mere-measurement Effect of Patient-reported Outcomes