Storytelling Could Ease Pain During Spinal Injections
Patients who heard stories during spinal injections reported significantly lower pain and fear levels in a new pilot study.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Stroke
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A January 2026 study found that patients receiving spinal injections reported significantly lower pain and fear when their physician told them a story during the procedure. This pilot approach, tested on 100 adults, suggests that narrative communication may influence patient comfort during medical interventions.
Why it matters
Reducing pain and anxiety during uncomfortable procedures is a constant clinical goal, and this pilot study explores whether simple communication techniques can improve the patient experience without extra medications. It highlights a potential non-pharmacological tool for managing patient stress in clinical settings.
In a pilot study of 100 adults published Jan. 5, 2026, patients reported 35% lower pain and 39% lower fear scores when listening to stories during spinal injections compared to a control group receiving standard commentary. These preliminary findings remain subject to further, more rigorous investigation.
The players
Sheba Medical Center
A major medical facility that conducted the research on patient pain management.
Tel Aviv University
An academic institution affiliated with the researchers who conducted this study.
The details
During the procedure, the physician told a memorized story about an animal chosen by the patient to coincide with the timing of four needle insertions. Researchers deliberately omitted skin-numbing agents and sedation to isolate the effect of the physician’s storytelling from other pain-management variables. The study assigned patients to receive either storytelling or standard commentary based on the timing of their procedure on odd or even minutes.
Timeline
Jan. 5, 2026: The study was published in the Psychology and Behavioral Science International Journal.
Health Landscape
This research contributes to the growing field of patient-centered communication research, which examines how physician interactions affect clinical outcomes. It sits within a broader trend of exploring non-pharmacological interventions to reduce patient reliance on sedation during minor procedures.
While these findings are preliminary, you may consider asking your doctor about distraction techniques or communication styles that can help you feel more at ease during uncomfortable medical procedures. Discussing your anxiety levels and preferences for interaction with your care team before a procedure can help you feel more in control.
The takeaway
Using storytelling as a distraction may help lower pain and fear during minor medical procedures. You can always ask your physician if they use specific communication strategies to help patients remain comfortable and relaxed during routine care.
Further reading
For more on managing complex medical conditions, visit our Stroke section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
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Do you trust that doctors can use storytelling to effectively reduce your pain during medical procedures?
