Relationship of Perceptual Characteristics to Efficacy of Placebos

Abstract

The placebo was acknowledged as a potent agent associated with a myriad of psychological, therapeutic, and behavioral effects. Given the widespread use and efficaq of placebos, major needs relative to more accurate conceptualization, appreciation, and effective use of properties were discussed. Emphasis was placed on considerations of the placebo as a complex stimulus. The physical and perceptual characteristics of placebos were reviewed in regard to efficaq, with specific attention to route of administration, preparation form, size and dose, color, taste, and interpretation of 'pharmacological' agentry. Conclusions were directed to facilitating optimal effectiveness of a placebo. Directions for further research were suggested, and failure to consider the differential stimuli of placebos was viewed as contributing to the potential unwitting confounding in studies.

El Efecto “Pricebo”: Cómo los precios pueden influenciar la percepción sobre la calidad del cannabis y sus implicaciones en las políticas de precios

“…La primera hipótesis está basada en la literatura que soporta la existencia de un efecto placebo general y la confirmación del rol de las expectativas (Buckalew y Ross, 1981;De Craen et al,1996). La idea detrás de este efecto es que hay un mecanismo influencial creado por los precios que hace que los consumidores basan sus expectativas alrededor de esos niveles fijados (Shiv et al, 2005;Ariely et al, 2010).…”

“…Además, hay estudios que consideran diferentes factores que pueden afectar la efectividad de un placebo. Factores tales como la manera en que es administrado (Harrington, 1997), su presentación y características (De Caren et al, 1996;Buckalew y Ross, 1981), y también su precio (Ariely et al 2010). reducción de dolor similar (Benedetti et al, 2008;Colloca y Benedetti, 2005). El alivio del mecanismo no-opioide es menos intenso, pero aun así notable.…”

Iatroplacebogenesis: a useful therapeutic tool?

“…Overall, the more specialized, fashionable, powerful, costly and complex a patient perceives a treatment to be, the stronger will be the placebo effect which runs alongside and reinforces that treatment (Beck, 1977;Lasagna, 1979;Buchalew and Ross, 1981). Hence open heart surgery is likely to be more active in its non-specific effects than a less major operation, intermittent traction given on expensive equipment more active than manual traction, and a drug given by injection more active in its non-specific effects than the same drug given in tablet form (particularly if the tablet is white and of medium size).…”

The hollow needle: inappropriate injection in practice

“…10 The stage is set for the establishment of unshakeable beliefs about efficacy and safety which are at variance with the evidence. The more experienced the doctor, the more irrational the treatment choices will become when experience alone dictates.…”