Taking Placebos as Needed to Reduce Appetite: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Ecological Momentary Assessment.

ABSTRACT: Placebos can reduce appetite. However, when placebos are prescribed over a longer period of time, compliance and response rates are not always satisfactory. A new administration approach 'as needed' was tested to improve adherence to placebo treatment and its effectiveness. Participants could decide on the time of placebo intake (when their appetite had increased substantially). A randomized controlled trial was conducted over seven days. The participants were allocated to one of two groups: a placebo group (PG; n = 41) or a control group with no placebo treatment (CG; n = 34). During the intervention, participants used a mobile phone application to rate their daily appetite, mood, and the occurrence of binge-eating episodes in their normal environment. The placebo effect was

SUBMITTER: Unger I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10045637 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature