Harnessing the placebo effect: Exploring the influence of physician characteristics on placebo response.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Research on placebo/nocebo effects suggests that expectations can influence treatment outcomes, but placebo/nocebo effects are not always evident. This research demonstrates that a provider's social behavior moderates the effect of expectations on physiological outcomes.

Methods

After inducing an allergic reaction in participants through a histamine skin prick test, a health care provider administered a cream with no active ingredients and set either positive expectations (cream will reduce reaction) or negative expectations (cream will increase reaction). The provider demonstrated either high or low warmth, or either high or low competence.

Results

The impact of expectations on allergic response was enhanced when the provider acted both warmer and more comp

SUBMITTER: Howe LC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7608626 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature