Placebos in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and other Rheumatic Conditions

Traut, Eugene F.; Passarelli, E

doi:10.1136/ard.16.1.18

Cited by 55 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Much of the early research concerning the spec-176 ificity of placebo effects was described in an important review by Evans (1974), who noted that the magnitude and the time course of placebo effects mimic those of the active drug. Similarly, the nature of side effects elicited by placebos depends on the side effects known to be produced by the corresponding active medication (Pogge, 1963), the strength of the placebo effect varies with mode of administration (pill vs. injection; Traut & Passarelli, 1957), and the strength of the placebo effect varies as a function of the apparent dose delivered (Kirsch & Weixel, 1988). Any adequate theory of placebo phenomena will have to account for this level of specificity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Mechanisms of Placebo Pain Reduction: An Empirical Investigation

1996

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Identical experimental pain stimuli were applied to the right and left index fingers of 56 university students, following the application of a placebo in the guise of a topical anesthetic to one of the fingers The pain stimuli were administered simultaneously to treated and untreated fingers for half of the subjects and sequentially for the others Significant and equivalent reductions in pain were reported in both conditions as a function of placebo administration These data indicate that reductions of experimental pain produced by placebos presented in the guise of local anesthetics are not mediated by such global mechanisms as anxiety reduction or the release of endogenous opioids

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Mechanisms of Placebo Pain Reduction: An Empirical Investigation

1996

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“…55 All placebo effects eventually wear of but they can last for a long time; up to two and half years for rheumatoid arthritis. 57 To what extent the improved symptoms and quality of life seen in this study are due to placebo effect is hard to say. Assuming that the positive effects of the present program is due mainly to placebo effect, one cannot afford to dispense with a treatment that works, even if we are not certain how this happens.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Effects of a health program comprising reassurance, diet management, probiotics administration and regular exercise on symptoms and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

El‐Salhy

Lillebø

Reinemo

et al. 2010

Gastroenterol Insights

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Effects of a health program comprising reassurance and patient education, diet management, administration of probiotics and regular exercise on symptoms and quality of life in patients with IBS were investigated.A total of 143 patients (95% women and 5% men), with an average age of 32 years (range, 18-58 years), were included in the study. Ninety-six of these patients had diarrhea and 47 had constipation as the predominant symptom. The patients went through a program combining reassurance and IBS education, guidance in diet management, intake of probiotics, and regular exercise. The patients were asked to complete the Birmingham IBS symptom score questionnaire, the SF-36 questionnaire and the IBS-quality of life (IBS-QoL) questionnaire before starting the program and three, six, 12 and 24 months after completing the program.The total score of symptoms, as well as all the 3 dimensions (pain, diarrhea and constipation), were diminished significantly at all observation times after completing the program. The total score of quality of life, as assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire and by the IBS-QoL questionnaire, was significantly improved at all observation times after completing the program. This improvement included all health concepts of the SF-36 and all the domains of the IBS-QoL except physical and mental role limitations, food avoidance and sexual relations. There was no statistical difference between patients with IBS with diarrhea-or constipation-predominant symptoms.Combining reassurance and patient education, diet management, probiotics administration and regular exercise in a health program improves symptoms and quality of life in patients with IBS.

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“…If the observer becomes aware of the nature of the treatment, the (Huskisson, 1974). Injections have a greater placebo effect than tablets (Traut & Passarelli, 1957), and the placebo effect may be increased by increasing the number of tablets prescribed. In many trials, double blindness is unnecessary, and in some it is actually misleading.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%