Putting the ‘Art’ Into the ‘Art of Medicine’: The Under-Explored Role of Artifacts in Placebo Studies

Bernstein, Michael H.; Locher, Cosima; Kube, Tobias; Buergler, Sarah; Stewart-Ferrer, Sif; Blease, Charlotte

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01354

Cited by 18 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 96 publications

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“…An assistant wearing a white coat greeted the family, built rapport, answered questions, and then led the family to a waiting area outside the brain imaging center. After a 5-min wait to build anticipation, the family entered the MRI control room to meet the experimenters (co-authors JO and SV) and a science communicator (Michael Stevens), all dressed in lab coats to increase credibility ( 37 ). Three camera operators were also present.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Super Placebos: A Feasibility Study Combining Contextual Factors to Promote Placebo Effects

et al. 2021

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Background: Ample evidence demonstrates that placebo effects are modulated by contextual factors. Few interventions, however, attempt to combine a broad range of these factors. Here, we explore the therapeutic power of placebos by leveraging factors including social proof, positive suggestion, and social learning. This study aimed to test the feasibility of an elaborate “super placebo” intervention to reduce symptoms of various disorders in a pediatric population.Methods: In a single-arm qualitative study, participants entered an inactive MRI scanner which they were told could help their brain heal itself through the power of suggestion. The sample included 11 children (6–13 years old) diagnosed with disorders known to be receptive to placebos and suggestion (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Tourette Syndrome, chronic skin picking, and migraines). The children were given positive suggestions during 2–4 placebo machine sessions over the span of approximately 1 month. We assessed open-ended treatment outcomes via recorded interviews and home visits.Results: The procedure was feasible and no adverse events occurred. Ten of the 11 parents reported improvements in their children after the intervention, ranging from minor transient changes to long-term reductions in subjective and objective symptoms (e.g., migraines and skin lesions).Discussion: These preliminary findings demonstrate the feasibility and promise of combining a broad range of contextual factors in placebo studies. Future research is needed to assess the causal effects of such interventions.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Super Placebos: A Feasibility Study Combining Contextual Factors to Promote Placebo Effects

et al. 2021

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“…The room also contained an EEG system and various scientific-looking props (Figure 2) (cf. Bernstein et al, 2020).…”

Section: Briefingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emulating future neurotechnology using magic

Olson

Cyr

Artenie

et al. 2023

Consciousness and Cognition

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“…An assistant wearing a white coat greeted the family, built rapport, answered questions, then led the family to a waiting area outside the brain imaging centre. After a five-minute wait to build anticipation, the family entered the MRI control room to meet the experimenters (co-authors JO and SV) and a science communicator (Michael Stevens), all dressed in lab coats to increase credibility (37). Three camera operators were also present.…”

Section: Briefingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Super placebos: A feasibility study combining contextual factors to promote placebo effects

Olson¹,

Lifshitz²,

Raz³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Ample evidence demonstrates that placebo effects are modulated by contextual factors. Few interventions, however, attempt to combine a broad range of these factors. Here, we explore the therapeutic power of placebos by leveraging factors including social proof, positive suggestion, and social learning. This study aimed to test the feasibility of an elaborate "super placebo" intervention to reduce symptoms of various disorders in a pediatric population. In a single-arm qualitative study, participants entered an inactive MRI scanner which they were told could help their brain heal itself through the power of suggestion. The sample included 11 children (6-13 years old) diagnosed with disorders known to be receptive to placebos and suggestion (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Tourette Syndrome, chronic skin picking, and migraines). The children were given positive suggestions before entering the scanner for 2 to 4 sessions over the span of approximately one month. We assessed open-ended treatment outcomes via recorded interviews and home visits. The procedure was feasible and no adverse events occurred. Ten of the eleven parents reported improvements in their children after the intervention, ranging from minor transient changes to long-term reductions in subjective and objective symptoms (e.g., migraines and skin lesions). These preliminary findings demonstrate the feasibility and promise of combining a broad range of contextual factors in placebo studies. Future research is needed to assess the causal effects of such interventions.

show abstract

Putting the ‘Art’ Into the ‘Art of Medicine’: The Under-Explored Role of Artifacts in Placebo Studies

Cited by 18 publications

References 96 publications

Super Placebos: A Feasibility Study Combining Contextual Factors to Promote Placebo Effects

Super Placebos: A Feasibility Study Combining Contextual Factors to Promote Placebo Effects

Emulating future neurotechnology using magic

Super placebos: A feasibility study combining contextual factors to promote placebo effects

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