Possible alleviation of symptoms and side effects through clinicians' nocebo information and empathy in an experimental video vignette study.

ABSTRACT: To alleviate anti-cancer treatment burden in advanced breast cancer, patient-clinician communication strategies based on nocebo-effect mechanisms are promising. We assessed distinct/combined effects on psychological outcomes (e.g. anxiety; main outcome) and side-effect expectations of (1) nocebo information about the (non)pharmacological origin of side effects, and (2) clinician-expressed empathy through reassurance of continuing support. Furthermore, we explored whether information and empathy effects on side-effect expectations were mediated by decreased anxiety. In a two-by-two experimental video-vignette design, 160 cancer patients/survivors and healthy women watched one of four videos differing in level of nocebo information (±) and empathy (±). Regression and mediation analysis were

SUBMITTER: Meijers MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9515213 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature