Related Experiment Videos
Memories of colonoscopy: a randomized trial
Donald A Redelmeier1, Joel Katz, Daniel Kahneman
1Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. dar@ices.on.ca
Pain
|July 12, 2003
Summary
Altering the end of a colonoscopy procedure can reduce patients' memory of pain, potentially increasing their willingness for future medical procedures.
Area of Science:
- Medical Psychology
- Clinical Research
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Patient memory influences future medical decisions.
- Memory is susceptible to bias and imperfection.
- Memory of pain can deter patients from necessary procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if a psychological memory phenomenon can reduce recall of pain from colonoscopy.
- To assess the impact of procedural modification on patient memory and future compliance.
Main Methods:
- 682 outpatients undergoing colonoscopy were randomized into two groups.
- One group had a brief extension of the procedure with the colonoscope tip in the rectum.
- Pain, memory of pain, and overall unpleasantness were measured post-procedure.
Main Results:
- Patients in the extended procedure group reported less pain during the final moments (P<0.001).
- The extended procedure group rated the overall experience as less unpleasant (P=0.006) and less aversive (P=0.002).
- Repeat colonoscopy rates were slightly higher in the extended procedure group (OR=1.41, P=0.038).
Conclusions:
- Memory failures observed in lab settings are applicable in clinical practice.
- Modifying the end of unpleasant procedures can improve patient memory and willingness for future interventions.
- This strategy may enhance patient adherence to recommended medical screenings.