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Barnes K, Wang R, Faasse K. Practitioner warmth and empathy attenuates the nocebo effect and enhances the placebo effect. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2024; 16:421-441. [PMID: 37793644 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Augmented patient-practitioner interactions that enhance therapeutic alliance can increase the placebo effect to sham treatment. Little is known, however, about the effect of these interactions on maladaptive health outcomes (i.e., the nocebo effect). Healthy participants (N = 84) were randomised to a 3-day course of Oxytocin nasal drops (actually, sham treatment) in conjunction with a high-warmth interaction (Oxy-HW: N = 28), a low-warmth interaction (Oxy-LW: N = 28) or to a no treatment control group (NT: N = 28). All participants were informed that the Oxytocin treatment could increase psychological well-being but was associated with several potential side effects. Treatment-related side effects, unwarned symptoms, and psychological well-being were measured at baseline and all post-treatment days. Side effect reporting was increased in the Oxy-LW condition compared to the other groups across all days. Conversely, increased psychological well-being was observed in the Oxy-HW condition, relative to the other conditions, but only on Day 1. Among those receiving treatment, positive and negative expectations, and treatment-related worry, did not vary by interaction-style, while psychological well-being and side effect reporting were inversely associated at the level of the individual. Results have important implications for practice, suggesting poorer quality interactions may not only reduce beneficial health outcomes but also exacerbate those that are maladaptive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Barnes
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rachelle Wang
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kate Faasse
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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2
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Riis T, Feldman D, Losser A, Mickey B, Kubanek J. Device for Multifocal Delivery of Ultrasound Into Deep Brain Regions in Humans. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2024; 71:660-668. [PMID: 37695955 PMCID: PMC10803076 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2023.3313987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Low-intensity focused ultrasound provides the means to noninvasively stimulate or release drugs in specified deep brain targets. However, successful clinical translations require hardware that maximizes acoustic transmission through the skull, enables flexible electronic steering, and provides accurate and reproducible targeting while minimizing the use of MRI. We have developed a device that addresses these practical requirements. The device delivers ultrasound through the temporal and parietal skull windows, which minimize the attenuation and distortions of the ultrasound by the skull. The device consists of 252 independently controlled elements, which provides the ability to modulate multiple deep brain targets at a high spatiotemporal resolution, without the need to move the device or the subject. And finally, the device uses a mechanical registration method that enables accurate deep brain targeting both inside and outside of the MRI. Using this method, a single MRI scan is necessary for accurate targeting; repeated subsequent treatments can be performed reproducibly in an MRI-free manner. We validated these functions by transiently modulating specific deep brain regions in two patients with treatment-resistant depression.
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3
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Hartmann H, Forkmann K, Schmidt K, Kleine-Borgmann J, Albers J, Wiech K, Bingel U. Open-label placebo treatment does not enhance cognitive abilities in healthy volunteers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19468. [PMID: 37945662 PMCID: PMC10636058 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45979-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of so-called 'smart drugs' such as modafinil to improve cognitive performance has recently attracted considerable attention. However, their side effects have limited user enthusiasm. Open-label placebo (OLP) treatment, i.e., inert treatments that are openly disclosed to individuals as having no active pharmacological ingredient, has been shown to improve various medical symptoms and conditions, including those related to cognitive performance. OLP treatment could therefore be an exciting alternative to pharmacological cognitive enhancers. Here, we used a randomized-controlled design to investigate the effect of a 21-day OLP treatment on several sub-domains of cognitive performance in N = 78 healthy volunteers. Subjective and objective measures of cognitive performance as well as different measures of well-being were obtained before and after the treatment period. Using a combination of classic Frequentist and Bayesian analysis approaches showed no additional benefit from OLP treatment in any of the subjective or objective measures of cognitive performance. Our study thus highlights possible limitations of OLP treatment in boosting cognitive performance in healthy volunteers. These findings are discussed in the light of expectancy-value considerations that may determine OLP efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Hartmann
- Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Katarina Forkmann
- Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katharina Schmidt
- Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Julian Kleine-Borgmann
- Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Johanna Albers
- Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katja Wiech
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Haedington, Oxford, UK
| | - Ulrike Bingel
- Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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Riis TS, Feldman DA, Vonesh LC, Brown JR, Solzbacher D, Kubanek J, Mickey BJ. Durable effects of deep brain ultrasonic neuromodulation on major depression: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2023; 17:449. [PMID: 37891643 PMCID: PMC10612153 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-023-04194-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe forms of depression have been linked to hyperactivity of the subcallosal cingulate cortex. The ability to stimulate the subcallosal cingulate cortex or associated circuits noninvasively and directly would maximize the number of patients who could receive treatment. To this end, we have developed an ultrasound-based device for effective noninvasive modulation of deep brain circuits. Here we describe an application of this tool to an individual with treatment-resistant depression. CASE PRESENTATION A 30-year-old Caucasian woman with severe treatment-resistant non-psychotic depression was recruited into a clinical study approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Utah. The patient had a history of electroconvulsive therapy with full remission but without sustained benefit. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to coregister the ultrasound device to the subject's brain anatomy and to evaluate neural responses to stimulation. Brief, 30-millisecond pulses of low-intensity ultrasound delivered into the subcallosal cingulate cortex target every 4 seconds caused a robust decrease in functional magnetic resonance imaging blood-oxygen-level-dependent activity within the target. Following repeated stimulation of three anterior cingulate targets, the patient's depressive symptoms resolved within 24 hours of the stimulation. The patient remained in remission for at least 44 days afterwards. CONCLUSIONS This case illustrates the potential for ultrasonic neuromodulation to precisely engage deep neural circuits and to trigger a durable therapeutic reset of those circuits. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05301036. Registered 29 March 2022, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05301036.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S Riis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.
| | - Daniel A Feldman
- Department of Psychiatry, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Lily C Vonesh
- Department of Psychiatry, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Jefferson R Brown
- Department of Psychiatry, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Daniela Solzbacher
- Department of Psychiatry, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Jan Kubanek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Brian J Mickey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
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Aulenkamp JL, Icenhour A, Elsenbruch S. Nocebo effects in visceral pain: concept and design of the experimental randomized-controlled pain study 'NoVis'. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1270189. [PMID: 37900300 PMCID: PMC10603299 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1270189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of psychological factors in the pathophysiology and treatment of chronic visceral pain in disorders of gut-brain interactions (DGBI) is increasingly appreciated. Placebo research has underscored that expectations arising from the psychosocial treatment context and from prior experiences shape treatment responses. However, effects of negative expectations, i.e., nocebo effects, as they are likely crucial elements of DGBI patients' clinical reality, have thus far only rarely been investigated in the context of visceral pain, with untapped potential for improved prevention and treatment. The experimental randomized-controlled pain study "NoVis," carried out within the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 289 ("Treatment Expectation"), aims to close gaps regarding the generation and persistence of nocebo effects in healthy volunteers. It is designed to elucidate effects of negative expectations in a multiple-threat paradigm with intensity-matched rectal distensions and cutaneous thermal stimuli, allowing to test nocebo effects in the visceral and somatic pain modalities. Negative expectations are experimentally induced by elements of doctor-patient communication (i.e., instruction) and/or by surreptitious amplification of symptom intensity (i.e., experience/learning) within a treatment context. Accordingly, the repeated measures between-subject design contains the between-group factors "treatment instruction" (negative vs. control) and "treatment experience" (negative vs. control), with volunteers randomized into four experimental groups undergoing several pain stimulation phases (repeated factor). This allows to compare the efficacy of instruction vs. experience, and more importantly, their combined effects on the magnitude of negative expectations and their impact on pain responses, which we expect will be greatest for the visceral modality. After a Baseline, short-term effects are assessed during a test phase accomplished on study day 1 (Test-1 Phase). To explore the persistence of effects, a second test phase is accomplished 1 week later (Test-2 Phase). Effects of negative expectations within and across pain modalities are assessed at the subjective and objective levels, with a focus on psychophysiological and neuroendocrine measures related to stress, fear, and anxiety. Since nocebo effects can play a considerable role in the generation, maintenance, or worsening of chronic visceral pain, and may even constitute risk factors for treatment failure, knowledge from experimental nocebo research has potential to improve treatment outcomes in DGBI and other clinical conditions associated with chronic visceral pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Luisa Aulenkamp
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Adriane Icenhour
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sigrid Elsenbruch
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Müller A, Konigorski S, Meißner C, Fadai T, Warren CV, Falkenberg I, Kircher T, Nestoriuc Y. Study protocol: combined N-of-1 trials to assess open-label placebo treatment for antidepressant discontinuation symptoms [FAB-study]. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:749. [PMID: 37833651 PMCID: PMC10576328 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05184-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antidepressant discontinuation is associated with a broad range of adverse effects. Debilitating discontinuation symptoms can impede the discontinuation process and contribute to unnecessary long-term use of antidepressants. Antidepressant trials reveal large placebo effects, indicating a potential use of open-label placebo (OLP) treatment to facilitate the discontinuation process. We aim to determine the effect of OLP treatment in reducing antidepressant discontinuation symptoms using a series of N-of-1 trials. METHODS A series of randomized, single-blinded N-of-1 trials will be conducted in 20 patients with fully remitted DSM-V major depressive disorder, experiencing moderate to severe discontinuation symptoms following antidepressant discontinuation. Each N-of-1 trial consists of two cycles, each comprising two-week alternating periods of OLP treatment and of no treatment in a random order, for a total of eight weeks. Our primary outcome will be self-reported discontinuation symptoms rated twice daily via the smartphone application 'StudyU'. Secondary outcomes include expectations about discontinuation symptoms and (depressed) mood. Statistical analyses will be based on a Bayesian multi-level random effects model, reporting posterior estimates of the overall and individual treatment effects. DISCUSSION Results of this trial will provide insight into the clinical application of OLP in treating antidepressant discontinuation symptoms, potentially offering a new cost-effective therapeutic tool. This trial will also determine the feasibility and applicability of a series of N-of-1 trials in a clinical discontinuation trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05051995, first registered September 20, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amke Müller
- Clinical Psychology, Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043, Hamburg, Germany.
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Stefan Konigorski
- Digital Health - Machine Learning Group, Hasso-Plattner-Institute for Digital Engineering, Potsdam, Germany
- Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Statistics, Harvard University, 150 Western Ave, Boston, MA, 02134, USA
| | - Carina Meißner
- Clinical Psychology, Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tahmine Fadai
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Claire V Warren
- Clinical Psychology, Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Irina Falkenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Nestoriuc
- Clinical Psychology, Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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Benson S, Karshikoff B. How Can Experimental Endotoxemia Contribute to Our Understanding of Pain? A Narrative Review. Neuroimmunomodulation 2023; 30:250-267. [PMID: 37797598 PMCID: PMC10619593 DOI: 10.1159/000534467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system and the central nervous system exchange information continuously. This communication is a prerequisite for adaptive responses to physiological and psychological stressors. While the implicate relationship between inflammation and pain is increasingly recognized in clinical cohorts, the underlying mechanisms and the possibilities for pharmacological and psychological approaches aimed at neuro-immune communication in pain are not fully understood yet. This calls for preclinical models which build a bridge from clinical research to laboratory research. Experimental models of systemic inflammation (experimental endotoxemia) in humans have been increasingly recognized as an approach to study the direct and causal effects of inflammation on pain perception. This narrative review provides an overview of what experimental endotoxemia studies on pain have been able to clarify so far. We report that experimental endotoxemia results in a reproducible increase in pain sensitivity, particularly for pressure and visceral pain (deep pain), which is reflected in responses of brain areas involved in pain processing. Increased levels of blood inflammatory cytokines are required for this effect, but cytokine levels do not always predict pain intensity. We address sex-dependent differences in immunological responses to endotoxin and discuss why these differences do not necessarily translate to differences in behavioral measures. We summarize psychological and cognitive factors that may moderate pain sensitization driven by immune activation. Together, studying the immune-driven changes in pain during endotoxemia offers a deeper mechanistic understanding of the role of inflammation in chronic pain. Experimental endotoxemia models can specifically help to tease out inflammatory mechanisms underlying individual differences, vulnerabilities, and comorbid psychological problems in pain syndromes. The model offers the opportunity to test the efficacy of interventions, increasing their translational applicability for personalized medical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Benson
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Medical Education, Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bianka Karshikoff
- Department of Social Studies, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Zhao H, Ni P, Zhao Q, Liang X, Ai D, Erhardt S, Wang J, Li Y, Wang J. Identifying the serious clinical outcomes of adverse reactions to drugs by a multi-task deep learning framework. Commun Biol 2023; 6:870. [PMID: 37620651 PMCID: PMC10449791 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05243-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) have a direct impact on human health. As continuous pharmacovigilance and drug monitoring prove to be costly and time-consuming, computational methods have emerged as promising alternatives. However, most existing computational methods primarily focus on predicting whether or not the drug is associated with an adverse reaction and do not consider the core issue of drug benefit-risk assessment-whether the treatment outcome is serious when adverse drug reactions occur. To this end, we categorize serious clinical outcomes caused by adverse reactions to drugs into seven distinct classes and present a deep learning framework, so-called GCAP, for predicting the seriousness of clinical outcomes of adverse reactions to drugs. GCAP has two tasks: one is to predict whether adverse reactions to drugs cause serious clinical outcomes, and the other is to infer the corresponding classes of serious clinical outcomes. Experimental results demonstrate that our method is a powerful and robust framework with high extendibility. GCAP can serve as a useful tool to successfully address the challenge of predicting the seriousness of clinical outcomes stemming from adverse reactions to drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haochen Zhao
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
- Xiangjiang Laboratory, Changsha, 410205, China
| | - Peng Ni
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Qichang Zhao
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Xiao Liang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Di Ai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Shannon Erhardt
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yaohang Li
- Department of Computer Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529-0001, USA
| | - Jianxin Wang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China.
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China.
- Xiangjiang Laboratory, Changsha, 410205, China.
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9
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Steiner KM, Timmann D, Bingel U, Kunkel A, Spisak T, Schedlowski M, Benson S, Engler H, Scherbaum N, Koelkebeck K. Study protocol: effects of treatment expectation toward repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in major depressive disorder-a randomized controlled clinical trial. Trials 2023; 24:553. [PMID: 37620946 PMCID: PMC10464308 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07579-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients' expectations toward any given treatment are highly important for the effectiveness of such treatment, as has been demonstrated for several disorders. In particular, in major depressive disorder (MDD), one of the most frequent and most serious mental disorders with severe consequences for the affected, the augmentation of available treatment options could mean a ground-breaking success. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a new, non-invasive, and well-tolerated intervention with proven effects in the treatment of MDD, appears particularly suitable in this context as it is assumed to exert its effect via structures implicated in networks relevant for both expectation and depression. METHODS All patients will receive rTMS according to its approval. Half of the patients will be randomized to a psychological intervention, which is a comprehensive medical consultation aiming to improve positive treatment expectations; the control group will receive a conventional informed consent discussion (in the sense of a treatment-as-usual condition). As outcome parameters, instruments for both self-assessment and external assessment of depression symptoms will be applied. Furthermore, psycho-immunological parameters such as inflammation markers and the cortisol awakening response in saliva will be investigated. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs fMRI) will be performed to analyze functional connectivity, including the cerebellum, and to identify neuronal predictors of expectation effects. In addition, possible cerebellar involvement will be assessed based on a cerebellar-dependent motor learning paradigm (i.e., eyeblink conditioning). DISCUSSION In this study, the effects of treatment expectations towards rTMS are investigated in patients with MDD. The aim of this study is to identify the mechanisms underlying the expectation effects and, beyond that, to expand the potential of non-invasive and well-tolerated treatments of MDD. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Registry of Clinical Studies (DRKS DRKS00028017. Registered on 2022/03/07. URL: https://www.drks.de/drks_web/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina M Steiner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, LVR-University-Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr, 174, 45147, Essen, Germany.
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
- Center for Translational Neuro- & Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Duisburg Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Dagmar Timmann
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- & Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Duisburg Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Bingel
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- & Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Duisburg Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Angelika Kunkel
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- & Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Duisburg Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tamas Spisak
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- & Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Duisburg Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Manfred Schedlowski
- Center for Translational Neuro- & Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Duisburg Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sven Benson
- Center for Translational Neuro- & Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Duisburg Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Medical Education, Essen University Hospital, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Harald Engler
- Center for Translational Neuro- & Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Duisburg Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Norbert Scherbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, LVR-University-Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr, 174, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- & Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Duisburg Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katja Koelkebeck
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, LVR-University-Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr, 174, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- & Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Duisburg Essen, Essen, Germany
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10
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Henrich L, Wilhelm M, Lange P, Rief W. The role of the communicated treatment rationale on treatment outcome: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2023; 24:540. [PMID: 37592320 PMCID: PMC10433650 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07557-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Placebo effects are a well-established phenomenon in the treatment of depression. However, the mechanism underlying these effects are not fully understood. Treatment expectations are considered one explanation for why placebos work. Treatment expectations are likely to be affected by clinician-patient interactions. This study aims to investigate the role of the communicated treatment rationale in modulating treatment expectations and its effects on the treatment outcomes of a pharmacological and a psychological active placebo intervention for depression. In this study, treatment expectations are modulated by presenting illness models that are either congruent or incongruent with the treatment intervention that follows. METHODS This 2 × 2 randomized controlled trial will involve patients with major depression. Participants will either receive a biological or a psychological illness model from a clinician. Following this, they are randomly assigned to receive either a pharmacological or a psychological active placebo intervention. The illness model and the treatment are either congruent or incongruent with each other, resulting in four groups. In addition, a natural course control group will be included. DISCUSSION This study will provide insights into the mechanism of expectation modulation in active placebo treatments for major depression. The results may provide insights for clinicians to improve their communication with patients by focusing on treatment expectations. By identifying the factors that contribute to placebo effects, this study has the potential to improve the effectiveness of existing depression treatments and reduce the burden of this highly prevalent mental health condition. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial has been registered prospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier: NCT04719663. Registered on January 22, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liv Henrich
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Marcel Wilhelm
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Lange
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Rief
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany
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Falkenberg I, Bitsch F, Liu W, Matsingos A, Noor L, Vogelbacher C, Yildiz C, Kircher T. The effects of esketamine and treatment expectation in acute major depressive disorder (Expect): study protocol for a pharmacological fMRI study using a balanced placebo design. Trials 2023; 24:514. [PMID: 37568215 PMCID: PMC10416369 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07556-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent (8-15%), severely disabling disorder and is associated with enormous socioeconomic impact. Antidepressant medication for the treatment of MDD has proven effective in RCTs; however, placebo response is also substantial. Given the potential benefits of modulating the placebo response in patient care and pharmacological research, understanding the mechanisms underlying placebo response is of high clinical relevance. The placebo response is mediated by treatment expectation, i.e. an individual's belief about whether and how much they will improve as a consequence of their treatment. The mechanisms and moderators of treatment expectation effects in MDD are poorly understood. Initial brain imaging studies on placebo responses in MDD point towards the relevance of the lateral prefrontal cortex and the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC). In this project, we will investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of treatment expectation associated with the fast-acting antidepressant esketamine in patients with MDD. Esketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist inducing antidepressant effects within hours. METHODS We will employ a fully balanced placebo design with the factors "treatment" (i.v. esketamine / placebo) and verbally induced "expectation" (high / low) combined with fMRI (resting state, emotion and reward processing paradigms) to investigate the psychological and neural mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of expectation, and how these interact with the pharmacological effects of esketamine. DISCUSSION The insights gained by this project promise fundamental implications for clinical treatment and future drug trials. Unraveling the mechanisms underlying expectation effects on antidepressant treatment may inform (1) strategies to modulate these effects and thus improve assay sensitivity in RCTs and (2) novel treatment regiments aiming to maximize the synergistic effects of expectation and pharmacological treatment in the clinical care of patients with MDD. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial has been prospectively registered with the EU Clinical Trials Register: EudraCT-No.: 2020-000784-23 (November 17, 2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Falkenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8, 35039, Marburg, Germany.
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Florian Bitsch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8, 35039, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8, 35039, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Alexandros Matsingos
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8, 35039, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Laila Noor
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8, 35039, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Vogelbacher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8, 35039, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Marburg, Schulstr. 12, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Cüneyt Yildiz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8, 35039, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8, 35039, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
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12
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Meißner C, Warren C, Fadai T, Müller A, Zapf A, Lezius S, Ozga AK, Falkenberg I, Kircher T, Nestoriuc Y. Disentangling pharmacological and expectation effects in antidepressant discontinuation among patients with fully remitted major depressive disorder: study protocol of a randomized, open-hidden discontinuation trial. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:457. [PMID: 37344789 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04941-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antidepressants are established as an evidence-based, guideline-recommended treatment for Major Depressive Disorder. Prescriptions have markedly increased in past decades, with a specific surge in maintenance prescribing. Patients often remain on antidepressants longer than clinically necessary. When attempting to stop, many patients experience adverse discontinuation symptoms. Discontinuation symptoms can be debilitating and hinder successful discontinuation. While discontinuation symptoms can result from pharmacological effects, evidence on nocebo-induced side effects of antidepressant use suggests that patients' expectations may also influence occurrence. METHODS To disentangle pharmacological and expectation effects in antidepressant discontinuation, patients with fully remitted Major Depressive Disorder who fulfill German guideline recommendations to discontinue will either remain on or discontinue their antidepressant. Participants' expectations will be manipulated by varying verbal instructions using an open-hidden paradigm. Within the open trial arms, participants will receive full information about treatment, i.e., high expectation. Within the hidden trial arms, participants will be informed about a 50% chance of discontinuing versus remaining on their antidepressant, i.e., moderate expectation. A total of N = 196 participants will be randomly assigned to either of the four experimental groups: open discontinuation (OD; n = 49), hidden discontinuation (HD; n = 49), open continuation (OC; n = 49), or hidden continuation (HC; n = 49). Discontinuation symptom load during the 13-week experimental phase will be our primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures include discontinuation symptom load during the subsequent 39-week clinical observation phase, recurrence during the 13-week experimental period, recurrence over the course of the complete 52-week trial evaluated in a time-to-event analysis, and stress, anxiety, and participants' attentional and emotional processing at 13 weeks post-baseline. Blood and saliva samples will be taken as objective markers of antidepressant blood serum level and stress. Optional rsfMRI measurements will be scheduled. DISCUSSION Until today, no study has explored the interplay of pharmacological effects and patients' expectations during antidepressant discontinuation. Disentangling their effects has important implications for understanding mechanisms underlying adverse discontinuation symptoms. Results can inform strategies to manage discontinuation symptoms and optimize expectations in order to help patients and physicians discontinue antidepressants more safely and effectively. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05191277), January 13, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Meißner
- Clinical Psychology, Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043, Hamburg, Germany.
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University-Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Claire Warren
- Clinical Psychology, Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University-Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tahmine Fadai
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University-Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Amke Müller
- Clinical Psychology, Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University-Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Antonia Zapf
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Lezius
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Ozga
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Irina Falkenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Nestoriuc
- Clinical Psychology, Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University-Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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13
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Murdoch R, Mellar A, Horne AM, Billington E, Chan PL, Gamble GD, Reid IR. Effect of a Three-Day Course of Dexamethasone on Acute Phase Response Following Treatment With Zoledronate: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Bone Miner Res 2023; 38:631-638. [PMID: 36970850 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Zoledronate is a potent intravenous bisphosphonate effective in the management of osteoporosis, Paget's disease and skeletal-related events in malignancy. Its most frequent adverse effect is the acute phase response (APR), an inflammatory reaction characterized by fever, musculoskeletal pain, headache, and nausea. This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study investigated the efficacy of a three-day course of dexamethasone 4 mg daily in reducing incidence of APR. Participants (n = 60) were randomized to receive either 4 mg of oral dexamethasone 1.5 hours before zoledronate and once a day for the following 2 days, or placebo. Oral temperature was measured at baseline and three times a day for the following 3 days, and questionnaires assessing symptoms of the APR were completed at baseline and for 3 days following zoledronate. Use of anti-inflammatory medication in the 3 days following zoledronate was recorded. The primary outcome was the temperature change from baseline. There was a significant difference in the primary outcome between the dexamethasone and placebo groups (p < 0.0001), with a mean decrease in temperature of 0.10°C (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.34 to 0.14) in the dexamethasone group compared with a mean increase in temperature of 0.84°C (95% CI, 0.53-1.16) in the placebo group on the evening following zoledronate. There was also a difference in APR-related symptom score over time between the two groups (p = 0.0005), with a median change in symptom score in the dexamethasone group 1 day after zoledronate of 0 (95% CI, 0-1) compared with 3 (95% CI, 0-5) in the placebo group. An increase in temperature of ≥1°C to a temperature of >37.5°C occurred in two of 30 (6.7%) participants in the dexamethasone group compared with 14 of 30 participants (46.7%) in the placebo group (p = 0.0005). This study demonstrates that a 3-day course of dexamethasone substantially reduces the APR following zoledronate infusion. © 2023 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Murdoch
- Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anna Mellar
- Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anne M Horne
- Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Emma Billington
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Pui Ling Chan
- Department of Endocrinology, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gregory D Gamble
- Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ian R Reid
- Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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14
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Srisuriyachanchai W, Cox AR, Kampichit S, Jarernsiripornkul N. Severity and Management of Adverse Drug Reactions Reported by Patients and Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Survey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3725. [PMID: 36834422 PMCID: PMC9959449 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Adverse drug reaction (ADR) severity levels are mainly rated by healthcare professionals (HCPs), but patient ratings are limited. This study aimed to compare patient-rated and pharmacist-rated ADR severity levels and determined methods employed for ADR management and prevention by patients and HCPs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in outpatients visiting two hospitals. Patients were asked about ADR experiences using a self-administered questionnaire, and additional information was retrieved from the medical records. In total, 617 out of 5594 patients had experienced ADRs (11.0%), but 419 patients were valid (68.0%). Patients commonly reported that their ADR severity level was moderate (39.4%), whereas pharmacists rated the ADRs as mild (52.5%). There was little agreement between patient-rated and pharmacist-rated ADR severity levels (κ = 0.144; p < 0.001). The major method of ADR management by physicians was drug withdrawal (84.7%), while for patients, it was physician consultation (67.5%). The main methods for ADR prevention by patients and HCPs were carrying an allergy card (37.2%) and recording drug allergy history (51.1%), respectively. A higher level of ADR bothersomeness was associated with higher ADR severity levels (p < 0.001). Patients and HCPs rated ADR severity and used ADR management and prevention methods differently. However, patient rating of ADR severity is a potential signal for severe ADR detection of HCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warisara Srisuriyachanchai
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Anthony R. Cox
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Sirinya Kampichit
- Department of Pharmacy Service, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Narumol Jarernsiripornkul
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
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15
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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in depression induces structural plasticity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2841. [PMID: 36801903 PMCID: PMC9938111 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29792-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique involving administration of well-tolerated electrical current to the brain through scalp electrodes. TDCS may improve symptoms in neuropsychiatric disorders, but mixed results from recent clinical trials underscore the need to demonstrate that tDCS can modulate clinically relevant brain systems over time in patients. Here, we analyzed longitudinal structural MRI data from a randomized, double-blind, parallel-design clinical trial in depression (NCT03556124, N = 59) to investigate whether serial tDCS individually targeted to the left dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can induce neurostructural changes. Significant (FWEc p < 0.05) treatment-related gray matter changes were observed with active high-definition (HD) tDCS relative to sham tDCS within the left DLPFC stimulation target. No changes were observed with active conventional tDCS. A follow-up analysis within individual treatment groups revealed significant gray matter increases with active HD-tDCS in brain regions functionally connected with the stimulation target, including the bilateral DLPFC, bilateral posterior cingulate cortex, subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, and the right hippocampus, thalamus and left caudate brain regions. Integrity of blinding was verified, no significant differences in stimulation-related discomfort were observed between treatment groups, and tDCS treatments were not augmented by any other adjunct treatments. Overall, these results demonstrate that serial HD-tDCS leads to neurostructural changes at a predetermined brain target in depression and suggest that such plasticity effects may propagate over brain networks.
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16
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Quinn V, Pearson S, Huynh A, Nicholls K, Barnes K, Faasse K. The influence of video-based social modelling on the nocebo effect. J Psychosom Res 2023; 165:111136. [PMID: 36610337 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Seeing someone else experience side effects (i.e., social modelling) can increase negative expectations and subsequent nocebo effects. In face-to-face contexts, this effect appears stronger in female participants. Less is known about the influence of gender on negative expectations and nocebo effects generated via video-based social modelling. METHODS One hundred and seven undergraduate participants recruited from a participant pool at an Australian university took part in a study ostensibly investigating the influence of beta-blocker medications (actually a sham treatment) on physiological and psychological aspects of anxiety. Participants were randomly assigned to either a no-treatment control group, a standard treatment group, or a video modelling group, in which participants viewed video-recorded confederates (one male, one female) report experiencing four side effects (two each) after taking the study treatment. Symptoms were assessed 15-min following pill ingestion, and at follow-up 24 h later. RESULTS Video modelling of side effects, compared to standard treatment, interacted with gender and was associated with increased reporting of modelled symptoms in female compared to male participants, p = .01, ηp2=0.06. Video modelling also increased negative expectations in female compared to male participants, p = .03, ηp2=0.07, and expectations mediated the influence of modelling on modelled symptoms in female participants. CONCLUSIONS Social modelling of side effects via video increased negative expectations, and nocebo symptoms, to a greater extent in female participants. These findings suggest that males and females are differentially impacted by video-based side effect modelling. Results have implications for social modelling of side effects via social media and patient-support websites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Quinn
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Sarah Pearson
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anna Huynh
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kate Nicholls
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kirsten Barnes
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kate Faasse
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia.
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17
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Faasse K, Keevers Y, de Groot A, Nicholls K, Helfer SG, Geers AL. Choice and the nocebo effect: If a little is good, more is better? J Psychosom Res 2023; 164:111083. [PMID: 36435093 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lack of choice over treatment may increase the nocebo effect, whereby unpleasant side effects can be triggered by the treatment context, beyond any inherent physiological effects of the treatment itself. Excessive choice may also increase the nocebo effect. The current studies tested these possibilities. METHOD Participants took part in studies ostensibly investigating the influence of beta-blockers (Study 1, n = 71) and benzodiazepines (Study 2, n = 120) on anxiety. All treatments were placebos. In Study 1, participants were randomly allocated to three groups: no-treatment control, no-choice, and choice between two treatments. In Study 2, a ten-choice group was added. Participants were warned about possible treatment side effects. These warned symptoms were assessed, and scores summed. Nocebo effects were evidenced by significantly higher warned symptoms scores in any placebo-treated group compared to the control group. RESULTS In both studies, the no-choice groups experienced a nocebo effect (S1: p = .003, ηp2= 0.121; S2: p = .022, ηp2= 0.045). A significant nocebo effect was not present in groups who chose between two treatments (S1: p = .424, ηp2= 0.009; S2: p = .49, ηp2= 0.004). In Study 2, choosing between ten treatments resulted in a nocebo effect (p = .006, ηp2= 0.065). CONCLUSION Lack of choice resulted in the development of nocebo effects, while having a limited choice between two placebos did not generate significant nocebo effects. However, a larger choice between ten placebos generated a nocebo effect of similar magnitude to lack of choice. Facilitating (some) choice in medical care may reduce the development of nocebo effects, but more extensive choice options may not offer similar benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Faasse
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Yvette Keevers
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Annalise de Groot
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kate Nicholls
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Andrew L Geers
- Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
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18
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Barsky AJ, Silbersweig DA. The Amplification of Symptoms in the Medically Ill. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:195-202. [PMID: 35829874 PMCID: PMC9849656 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07699-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism of symptom amplification, developed in the study of somatization, may be helpful in caring for patients with symptoms that, while they have a demonstrable medical basis, are nonetheless disproportionately severe and distressing. Amplified medical symptoms are marked by disproportionate physical suffering, unduly negative thoughts and concerns about them, and elevated levels of health-related anxiety. They are accompanied by extensive and sustained illness behaviors, disproportionate difficulty compartmentalizing them and circumscribing their impact, and consequent problems and dissatisfaction with their medical care. A distinction has long been made between "medically explained" and "medically unexplained" symptoms. However, a more comprehensive view of symptom phenomenology undermines this distinction and places all symptoms along a smooth continuum regardless of cause: Recent findings in cognitive neuroscience suggest that all symptoms-regardless of origin-are processed through convergent pathways. The complete conscious experience of both medically "explained" and "unexplained" symptoms is an amalgam of a viscerosomatic sensation fused with its ascribed salience and the patient's ideas, expectations, and concerns about the sensation. This emerging empirical evidence furnishes a basis for viewing persistent, disproportionately distressing symptoms of demonstrable disease along a continuum with medically unexplained symptoms. Thus, therapeutic modalities developed for somatization and medically unexplained symptoms can be helpful in the care of seriously ill medical patients with amplified symptoms. These interventions include educational groups for coping with chronic illness, cognitive therapies for dysfunctional thoughts, behavioral strategies for maladaptive illness behaviors, psychotherapy for associated emotional distress, and consultation with mental health professionals to assist the primary care physician with difficulties in medical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur J Barsky
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - David A Silbersweig
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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19
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Alpay BA, Gosink M, Aguiar D. Evaluating molecular fingerprint-based models of drug side effects against a statistical control. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:103364. [PMID: 36115633 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There are many machine learning models that use molecular fingerprints of drugs to predict side effects. Characterizing their skill is necessary for understanding their usefulness in pharmaceutical development. Here, we analyze a statistical control of side effect prediction skill, develop a pipeline for benchmarking models, and evaluate how well existing models predict side effects identified in pharmaceutical documentation. We demonstrate that molecular fingerprints are useful for ranking drugs by their likelihood to cause a given side effect. However, the predictions for one or more drugs overall benefit only marginally from molecular fingerprints when ranking the likelihoods of many possible side effects, and display at most modest overall skill at identifying the side effects that do and do not occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berk A Alpay
- Systems, Synthetic, and Quantitative Biology Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | | | - Derek Aguiar
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
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20
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Plank JR, Glover SC, Moloney BD, Hoeh NR, Sundram F, Sumner RL, Muthukumaraswamy S, Lin JC. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, hybrid parallel-arm study of low-dose naltrexone as an adjunctive anti-inflammatory treatment for major depressive disorder. Trials 2022; 23:822. [PMID: 36175917 PMCID: PMC9524133 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06738-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. The current treatments are ineffective in approximately one-third of patients, resulting in a large economic burden and reduced quality of life for a significant proportion of the global population. There is considerable evidence that increased inflammation may distinguish a sub-type of MDD, and there are no validated diagnostic tools or treatments for neuroinflammation in MDD patients. The current study aims to explore the potential role of low-dose naltrexone (LDN), a drug with purported anti-inflammatory properties in the central nervous system, as an adjunctive treatment in patients with MDD. METHODS/DESIGN This double-blind placebo-controlled hybrid parallel arm study enables the exploration of peripheral and central inflammatory markers with LDN as an approach to investigate inflammation as a pathophysiological contributor to MDD. Eligible participants with MDD (n = 48) will be stratified into the high and low inflammatory groups according to the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and then randomized to receive LDN or placebo for an initial 12 weeks, followed by a further 12 weeks during which all participants will receive LDN. The primary outcome measure will be the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) administered at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 14 weeks, 16 weeks, 20 weeks, and 24 weeks, to assess the effectiveness of the anti-depressant response. The secondary outcomes include the use of MRI techniques including quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT), echo-planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to help to elucidate the neurobiological mechanism of LDN, and the inflammatory mechanisms in action in MDD. Electroencephalography, blood samples, cognitive tasks, and additional questionnaires will also be used to determine if there is a specific profile of symptoms in individuals with inflammatory MDD. Healthy participants (n = 24) will be recruited for baseline outcome measures only, to enable comparison with patients with MDD. DISCUSSION This trial contributes to the literature on inflammation in MDD, including the understanding of the pathophysiology and efficacy of anti-inflammatory treatments. The investigation of inflammatory mechanisms in MDD is an important first step in the development of biomarkers to classify patient sub-groups, increase the accuracy of diagnosis, and tailor the approach to patients in clinical practice. This study may provide evidence of the benefit of LDN for the groups in whom conventional anti-depressants are ineffective and lead the way for translation into clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12622000881730 . Registered on 21 June 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Plank
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Stephanie C Glover
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Ben D Moloney
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Nicholas R Hoeh
- Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 22-30 Park Avenue, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Frederick Sundram
- Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 22-30 Park Avenue, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Rachael L Sumner
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Suresh Muthukumaraswamy
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Joanne C Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.
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21
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Factors Moderating the Link between Personal Recounts of COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects Viewed on Social Media and Viewer Postvaccination Experience. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10101611. [PMID: 36298476 PMCID: PMC9610806 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
While social media exposure is known to influence vaccine hesitancy, its impact on postvaccination experience remains relatively unknown. This retrospective cross-sectional study explored whether various psychosocial and individual factors moderate the association between social media exposure to personal recounts of COVID-19 vaccine side effects and the viewer’s subsequent postvaccination side effect experience. Adults residing in Australia, who were fully vaccinated with two COVID-19 vaccine doses (n = 280) completed an online survey. The more severe the personal recounts of post-COVID-19 vaccination side effects participants were exposed to on social media, the more severe their own postvaccination side effects were following both their first (β = 0.261, p < 0.001) and second dose (β = 0.299, p < 0.001). This association was stronger among those with greater vaccine side effect worry, elevated negative emotional states such as anxiety and stress, and a stronger proclivity for using social media over mainstream media for COVID-19 vaccine side effect information. As such, not only does social influence appear to exacerbate or trigger postvaccination side effects, but a range of psychosocial and situational factors moderate this association. Health organisations and government bodies could minimise the negative effects of social media exposure in future health outbreaks by countering treatment misperceptions on social media platforms as they arise.
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22
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Michnevich T, Pan Y, Hendi A, Oechsle K, Stein A, Nestoriuc Y. Preventing adverse events of chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancer by educating patients about the nocebo effect: a randomized-controlled trial. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1008. [PMID: 36138381 PMCID: PMC9502603 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10089-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adverse events of chemotherapy may be caused by pharmacodynamics or psychological factors such as negative expectations, which constitute nocebo effects. In a randomized controlled trial, we examined whether educating patients about the nocebo effect is efficacious in reducing the intensity of self-reported adverse events. Methods In this proof-of-concept study, N = 100 outpatients (mean age: 60.2 years, 65% male, 54% UICC tumour stage IV) starting first-line, de novo chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers were randomized 1:1 to a nocebo education (n = 49) or an attention control group (n = 51). Our primary outcome was patient-rated intensity of four chemotherapy-specific and three non-specific adverse events (rated on 11-point Likert scales) at 10-days and 12-weeks after the first course of chemotherapy. Secondary outcomes included perceived control of adverse events and tendency to misattribute symptoms. Results General linear models indicated that intensity of adverse events differed at 12-weeks after the first course of chemotherapy (mean difference: 4.04, 95% CI [0.72, 7.36], p = .02, d = 0.48), with lower levels in the nocebo education group. This was attributable to less non-specific adverse events (mean difference: 0.39, 95% CI [0.04, 0.73], p = .03, d = 0.44) and a trend towards less specific adverse events in the nocebo education group (mean difference: 0.36, 95% CI [− 0.02, 0.74], p = .07, d = 0.37). We found no difference in adverse events at 10-days follow-up, perceived control of adverse events, or tendency to misattribute non-specific symptoms to the chemotherapy. Conclusions This study provides first proof-of-concept evidence for the efficacy of a brief information session in preventing adverse events of chemotherapy. However, results regarding patient-reported outcomes cannot rule out response biases. Informing patients about the nocebo effect may be an innovative and clinically feasible intervention for reducing the burden of adverse events. Trial registration Retrospectively registered on March 27, 2018 to the German Clinical Trial Register (ID: DRKS00009501). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-10089-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Michnevich
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. .,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany. .,Present address: Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Y Pan
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - A Hendi
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Oncology, Asklepios Clinic Barmbek, Hamburg, Germany
| | - K Oechsle
- Center of Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - A Stein
- Center of Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Y Nestoriuc
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Helmut Schmidt University, University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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23
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Russell K, Duncan M, Price M, Mosewich A, Ellmers T, Hill M. A comparison of placebo and nocebo effects on objective and subjective postural stability: a double-edged sword? Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:967722. [PMID: 36061498 PMCID: PMC9434487 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.967722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Positive expectations (i.e., placebo effect) can improve postural control during quiet standing. This raises an important question: if postural control is susceptible to positive expectations, is it possible to elicit the opposite, a decline in postural stability, simply by suggesting a performance impairment (i.e., nocebo) will take place? Yet no studies have examined the nocebo effect on balance performance. To better understand both phenomena, comparative studies, which include both placebo and nocebo conditions, are needed. Method: Forty-two healthy adults were initially assessed for objective (center of pressure movement) and subjective (perceived) postural stability and performance expectations. Participants were then randomly assigned in equal numbers to a placebo (positive expectation), nocebo (negative expectation) or control (no suggestion) group. Participants in the placebo/nocebo groups were deceptively administered an inert capsule described as a potent supplement which would either positively or negatively influence their balance performance. Objective and subjective postural stability, and performance expectations were reassessed 20 min later. Results: The nocebo procedure evoked an increase in COP sway movements and reduced perceived stability compared to a control group. The placebo group presented with reductions COP sway movements and increased perceived stability following expectation manipulation. Compared to the control group, the placebo group showed a significantly higher performance expectation whilst the nocebo group showed a significantly lower performance expectation. Regression analyses also revealed that performance expectations following the placebo/nocebo procedure significantly predicted perceptions of postural instability (i.e., perceived performance), accounting for around 50% of the variance. These results remained even when controlling for actual performance (i.e., objective postural stability). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that positive and negative performance expectations evoked by instructional manipulation can profoundly influence both objective and subjective postural stability. Postural control—and perceptions regarding such—are clearly susceptible to expectation manipulation, which could have important practical implications and repercussions on testing, training interventions and rehabilitation programs. Positive and negative expectancies are a double-edged sword for postural control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Russell
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Duncan
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Price
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Amber Mosewich
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Toby Ellmers
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew Hill
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Mathew Hill
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Stirling NSJ, Bridgland VME, Takarangi MKT. Nocebo effects on informed consent within medical and psychological settings: A scoping review. ETHICS & BEHAVIOR 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/10508422.2022.2081853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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25
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Geers AL, Clemens KS, Colagiuri B, Jason E, Colloca L, Webster R, Vase L, Seig M, Faasse K. Do Side Effects to the Primary COVID-19 Vaccine Reduce Intentions for a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster? Ann Behav Med 2022; 56:761-768. [PMID: 35640203 PMCID: PMC9275396 DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaac027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Vaccines are being administered worldwide to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine
boosters are essential for maintaining immunity and protecting against virus variants.
The side effects of the primary COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., headache, nausea), however,
could reduce intentions to repeat the vaccination experience, thereby hindering global
inoculation efforts. Purpose The aim of this research was to test whether side effects of a primary COVID-19 vaccine
relate to reduced intentions to receive a COVID-19 booster. The secondary aim was to
test whether psychological and demographic factors predict booster intentions. Methods Secondary data analyses were conducted on a U.S. national sample of 551 individuals
recruited through the online platform Prolific. Key measures in the dataset were side
effects reported from a primary COVID-19 vaccination and subsequent intentions to
receive a booster vaccine. Psychological and demographic variables that predicted
primary vaccination intentions in prior studies were also measured. Results Booster intentions were high. COVID-19 booster vaccine intentions were uncorrelated
with the number of side effects, intensity of side effects, or occurrence of an intense
side effect from the primary COVID-19 vaccine. Correlational and regression analyses
indicated intentions for a booster vaccination increased with positive vaccination
attitudes, trust in vaccine development, worry about the COVID-19 pandemic, low concern
over vaccine side effects, and democratic political party affiliation. Conclusions Side effects of a primary COVID-19 vaccine were not directly associated with lower
intentions to receive a booster of the COVID-19 vaccine early in the pandemic. However,
many variables that predict primary vaccination intentions also predict booster
intentions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew L Geers
- Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Kelly S Clemens
- Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Ben Colagiuri
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Emily Jason
- Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Luana Colloca
- Departments of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rebecca Webster
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Lene Vase
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mette Seig
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kate Faasse
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Ballou S, Iturrino J, Rangan V, Cheng V, Kelley JM, Lembo A, Kaptchuk TJ, Nee J. Improving Medication Tolerance: A Pilot Study in Disorders of Gut-brain Interaction Treated With Tricyclic Antidepressants. J Clin Gastroenterol 2022; 56:452-456. [PMID: 34091518 DOI: 10.1097/mcg.0000000000001575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are commonly used to treat disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). However, these medications are often associated with side effects that lead to early treatment discontinuation. Research in other chronic medical conditions suggests that many TCA side effects may be caused by nocebo (negative placebo) effects. The current study tests a brief, verbal intervention aimed at improving tolerance of TCAs in DGBI by providing education about nocebo effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS This pilot randomized controlled trial was performed in a tertiary care gastroenterology clinic. Participants with DGBI were randomized "standard information," describing the benefits and risks of TCAs, or "augmented information," which included an additional <30-second education about nocebo effects. Two weeks after their visit, participants were emailed a survey evaluating the number and bothersomeness of side effects, adequate relief, global improvement, and treatment satisfaction. RESULTS Thirty-one patients were randomized and 22 responded to the survey. The average age was 40% and 59% were women. Although not statistically significant, the augmented group attributed nominally fewer symptoms to TCAs than the standard group, with a medium effect size (1.5 vs. 4.2, effect size d=0.56, P=0.212) and reported being significantly less bothered by those symptoms (13.4 vs. 38.1, P=0.037). A nominally larger percentage of the augmented group reported adequate relief of symptoms after 2 weeks of treatment compared with the standard group (55% vs. 27%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This pilot study demonstrates that a brief (≈30 s) clinical intervention addressing nocebo effects may improve tolerance of TCAs. These findings provide support for future, fully powered studies to evaluate the impact of framing on clinical outcomes, especially in chronic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ballou
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Program in Placebo Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Johanna Iturrino
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
| | - Vikram Rangan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
| | - Vivian Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
| | - John M Kelley
- Program in Placebo Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
- Psychology Department, Endicott College, Beverly, MA
| | - Anthony Lembo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Program in Placebo Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Ted J Kaptchuk
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Program in Placebo Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Judy Nee
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
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Wesson W, Galate VL, Sborov DW, McClune B, Goodman AM, Gyawali B, Prasad V, Abbasi S, Mohyuddin GR. Characteristics of clinical trials for haematological malignancies from 2015 to 2020: A systematic review. Eur J Cancer 2022; 167:152-160. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Gauvin DV, Zimmermann ZJ, Dalton JA. De-risking in Tier I CNS safety assessments is the primary function of study design and technical training of laboratory staff observers. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2022; 129:105116. [PMID: 35017023 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2022.105116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Derisking is not a pharmaceutical industry strategy to reduce time, effort, or costs in drug development. Derisking strategies originated within the National Institutes of Health as a predicate to good science. There is a growing sentiment within drug development programs to diminish the importance of behavioral measures in toxicological studies and in the Tiered Safety assessment plans of the U.S. Regulatory Agencies and the International Commission on Harmonization. The validity and reliability of the Functional Observational Batter (FOB) is critically dependent on consistency and technical quality in each risk assessment plan. US Federal and International drug approval organizations have universally adopted the concept of principles of test construction rather than delineating specific behavioral assay endpoints for inclusion of the FOB in nonclinical safety protocols. The validity and reliability of behavioral observations in standardized neurotoxicity screening is critically dependent on the FOB developed by the Study Director with the Sponsor throughout all stages of testing.. The individual risk factors selected for observation to be included in the early Tier 1 safety program should be determined by the mechanism and mode of action of the test article. The results of Tier I testing are the basis for Tier II testing designs. Critical to the compliance with Good Laboratory Practices is the documentation of training of the operational staff scheduled to conduct all aspects of the established protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- David V Gauvin
- Neurobehavioral Sciences, Charles River Laboratories, Mattawan, 49071, MI, USA.
| | | | - Jill A Dalton
- Neurobehavioral Sciences, Charles River Laboratories, Mattawan, 49071, MI, USA
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Haas JW, Bender FL, Ballou S, Kelley JM, Wilhelm M, Miller FG, Rief W, Kaptchuk TJ. Frequency of Adverse Events in the Placebo Arms of COVID-19 Vaccine Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2143955. [PMID: 35040967 PMCID: PMC8767431 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.43955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance Adverse events (AEs) after placebo treatment are common in randomized clinical drug trials. Systematic evidence regarding these nocebo responses in vaccine trials is important for COVID-19 vaccination worldwide especially because concern about AEs is reported to be a reason for vaccination hesitancy. Objective To compare the frequencies of AEs reported in the placebo groups of COVID-19 vaccine trials with those reported in the vaccine groups. Data Sources For this systematic review and meta-analysis, the Medline (PubMed) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched systematically using medical subheading terms and free-text keywords for trials of COVID-19 vaccines published up to July 14, 2021. Study Selection Randomized clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines that investigated adults aged 16 years or older were selected if they assessed solicited AEs within 7 days of injection, included an inert placebo arm, and provided AE reports for both the vaccine and placebo groups separately. Full texts were reviewed for eligibility by 2 independent reviewers. Data Extraction and Synthesis Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by 2 reviewers, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guideline and using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Meta-analyses were based on random-effects models. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcomes were the proportions of placebo recipients reporting overall, systemic, and local (injection-site) AEs as well as logarithmic odds ratios (ORs) to evaluate group differences. Outcomes were tested for significance using z tests with 95% CIs. Results Twelve articles with AE reports for 45 380 participants (22 578 placebo recipients and 22 802 vaccine recipients) were analyzed. After the first dose, 35.2% (95% CI, 26.7%-43.7%) of placebo recipients experienced systemic AEs, with headache (19.3%; 95% CI, 13.6%-25.1%) and fatigue (16.7%; 95% CI, 9.8%-23.6%) being most common. After the second dose, 31.8% (95% CI, 28.7%-35.0%) of placebo recipients reported systemic AEs. The ratio between placebo and vaccine arms showed that nocebo responses accounted for 76.0% of systemic AEs after the first COVID-19 vaccine dose and for 51.8% after the second dose. Significantly more vaccine recipients reported AEs, but the group difference for systemic AEs was small after the first dose (OR, -0.47; 95% CI, -0.54 to -0.40; P < .001; standardized mean difference, -0.26; 95% CI, -0.30 to -0.22) and large after the second dose (OR, -1.36; 95% CI, -1.86 to -0.86; P < .001; standardized mean difference, -0.75; 95% CI, -1.03 to -0.47). Conclusions and Relevance In this systematic review and meta-analysis, significantly more AEs were reported in vaccine groups compared with placebo groups, but the rates of reported AEs in the placebo arms were still substantial. Public vaccination programs should consider these high rates of AEs in placebo arms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia W. Haas
- Program in Placebo Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Friederike L. Bender
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Ballou
- Program in Placebo Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - John M. Kelley
- Program in Placebo Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychology, Endicott College, Beverly, Massachusetts
| | - Marcel Wilhelm
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Winfried Rief
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ted J. Kaptchuk
- Program in Placebo Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Glicksman CA. Commentary on: Understanding Breast Implant Illness. Aesthet Surg J 2021; 41:1380-1382. [PMID: 33483731 DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjaa336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Schmidt K, Kleine-Borgmann J, Holle-Lee D, Gaul C, Bingel U. Impact of a 12-week open-label placebo treatment on headache days in episodic and chronic migraine: a study protocol for a parallel-group, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e045969. [PMID: 34162645 PMCID: PMC8230930 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Migraine is the most common neurological disorder and one of the major causes of years lived with disability. Its treatment (especially of chronic forms) is often challenging and accompanied with adverse effects. Although new therapeutic approaches have recently emerged (eg, calcitonin gene-related peptide antibodies), these are linked to strict prescribing guidelines and therefore limited to only a minority of patients. Recently, randomised controlled trials have demonstrated that open-label placebo treatments can lead to significant and clinically relevant improvements of chronic pain conditions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This multicentre, randomised controlled clinical trial following a parallel group between-subject design aims to systematically investigate the impact of a 12-week open-label placebo treatment on moderate to severe headache days (primary outcome) in patients with episodic and chronic migraine in addition to treatment as usual. Secondary outcomes comprise the number of migraine days, pain intensity, intake of acute medication, quality of life, disability, global impression of change, tolerability and a responder rate. To systematically address potential predictors of placebo responses in patients with migraine, this study assesses potential psychometric predictors, salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase awakening responses, catechol-o-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphisms, as well as functional and structural brain connectivity (ie, resting state functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging). The data analysis will be performed on basis of the general linear model considering repeated measures (mixed model). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This protocol and all corresponding documents were approved with regard to their content and compliance with ethical regulations by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty of the University Duisburg-Essen, Germany and the Ethics Committee of the Landesärztekammer Hessen. The results from this study will be actively disseminated through manuscript publications and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00021259).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Julian Kleine-Borgmann
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dagny Holle-Lee
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Charly Gaul
- Migraine and Headache Clinic Koenigstein, Königstein im Taunus, Germany
| | - Ulrike Bingel
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
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Kleine-Borgmann J, Wilhelmi J, Kratel J, Baumann F, Schmidt K, Zunhammer M, Bingel U. Tilidine and dipyrone (metamizole) in cold pressor pain: A pooled analysis of efficacy, tolerability, and safety in healthy volunteers. Clin Transl Sci 2021; 14:1997-2007. [PMID: 34058081 PMCID: PMC8504837 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The cold pressor test (CPT) is widely implemented and offers a simple, experimental acute pain model utilizing cold pain. Previous trials have frequently paired the CPT with opioids in order to investigate the mechanisms underlying pharmacological analgesia, due to their known analgesic efficacy. However, opioid side effects may lead to unblinding and raise concerns about the safety of the experimental setting. Despite the established clinical efficacy of dipyrone (metamizole), its efficacy, tolerability, and safety in cold pressor pain has not been systematically addressed to date. This pooled analysis included data of 260 healthy volunteers from three randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind substudies using the CPT following a pre‐test‐post‐test‐design. These substudies allow for comparing a single dose of 800 mg dipyrone with two different doses of the opioid tilidine/naloxone (50/4 mg and 100/8 mg, respectively). Outcomes included pain intensity ratings, pain tolerance, medication‐attributed side effects, as well as changes of blood pressure and heart rate. We demonstrate that both opioid doses and dipyrone had a comparable, significant analgesic effect on cold pressor pain. However, dipyrone was associated with significantly less self‐reported adverse effects and these were not significantly different from those under placebo. These results indicate that the combination of dipyrone and the CPT provides a safe, tolerable, and effective experimental model for the study of pharmacological analgesia. In combination with a CPT, dipyrone may be useful as a positive control, or baseline medication for the study of analgesic modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Kleine-Borgmann
- Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Johannes Wilhelmi
- Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kratel
- Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Frederik Baumann
- Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katharina Schmidt
- Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Matthias Zunhammer
- Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Bingel
- Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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In-vivo imaging of targeting and modulation of depression-relevant circuitry by transcranial direct current stimulation: a randomized clinical trial. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:138. [PMID: 33627624 PMCID: PMC7904813 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01264-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical trials of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in depression have shown contrasting results. Consequently, we used in-vivo neuroimaging to confirm targeting and modulation of depression-relevant neural circuitry by tDCS. Depressed participants (N = 66, Baseline Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) 17-item scores ≥14 and <24) were randomized into Active/Sham and High-definition (HD)/Conventional (Conv) tDCS groups using a double-blind, parallel design, and received tDCS individually targeted at the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). In accordance with Ampere's Law, tDCS currents were hypothesized to induce magnetic fields at the stimulation-target, measured in real-time using dual-echo echo-planar-imaging (DE-EPI) MRI. Additionally, the tDCS treatment trial (consisting of 12 daily 20-min sessions) was hypothesized to induce cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes post-treatment at the DLPFC target and in the reciprocally connected anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), measured using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) MRI. Significant tDCS current-induced magnetic fields were observed at the left DLPFC target for both active stimulation montages (Brodmann's area (BA) 46: pHD = 0.048, Cohen's dHD = 0.73; pConv = 0.018, dConv = 0.86; BA 9: pHD = 0.011, dHD = 0.92; pConv = 0.022, dConv = 0.83). Significant longitudinal CBF increases were observed (a) at the left DLPFC stimulation-target for both active montages (pHD = 3.5E-3, dHD = 0.98; pConv = 2.8E-3, dConv = 1.08), and (b) at ACC for the HD-montage only (pHD = 2.4E-3, dHD = 1.06; pConv = 0.075, dConv = 0.64). These results confirm that tDCS-treatment (a) engages the stimulation-target, and (b) modulates depression-relevant neural circuitry in depressed participants, with stronger network-modulations induced by the HD-montage. Although not primary outcomes, active HD-tDCS showed significant improvements of anhedonia relative to sham, though HDRS scores did not differ significantly between montages post-treatment.
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MacKrill K, Webster R, Rubin GJ, Witthöft M, Silvester C, Emad Y, Petrie KJ. When symptoms become side effects: Development of the side effect attribution scale (SEAS). J Psychosom Res 2021; 141:110340. [PMID: 33352479 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Symptom misattribution is a central process in the nocebo effect but it is not accurately assessed in current side effect measures. We have developed a new measure, the Side Effect Attribution Scale (SEAS), which examines the degree to which people believe their symptoms are treatment side effects. METHODS The SEAS was tested in three New Zealand studies: a vaccination sample (n = 225), patients with gout or rheumatoid arthritis (n = 102), and patients switching to a generic medicine (n = 69). The internal reliability of the scale was examined using Cronbach's alpha. To assess validity, the Side Effect Attribution Total Score and Side Effect Attribution Binary Score were related to a number of psychological measures associated with side effect reporting. RESULTS The scale showed good internal reliability across the three studies, with Cronbach alphas ranging from 0.840 to 0.943. Analysis of the effect sizes showed that the Attribution Total Score was generally more strongly associated with nocebo responding than Attribution Binary Score. Participants had greater Side Effect Attribution Total Scores if they had higher expectations for vaccination side effects (r = 0.18, p = .028), more worry about future vaccine effects (r = 0.16, p = .046), a higher perceived sensitivity to medicines (r = 0.50, p < .001), greater anxiety (r = 0.25, p = .016), greater intentional non-adherence (r = 0.30, p = .003), greater medicine information seeking (r = 0.26, p = .010), lower trust in pharmaceutical agencies (r = -0.29, p = .026), and lower medicine efficacy beliefs (r = -0.46, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS The SEAS provides a more nuanced assessment of symptom attribution beliefs. It appears to be more sensitive measure than just a side effect total, as it is associated with a greater number of relevant psychological variables. Future research should examine the scale in other populations and settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate MacKrill
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rebecca Webster
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - G James Rubin
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany
| | - Connor Silvester
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yasaman Emad
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Keith J Petrie
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Sondermann W, Reinboldt-Jockenhöfer F, Dissemond J, Pfaar O, Bingel U, Schedlowski M. Effects of Patients' Expectation in Dermatology: Evidence from Experimental and Clinical Placebo Studies and Implications for Dermatologic Practice and Research. Dermatology 2021; 237:857-871. [PMID: 33498052 DOI: 10.1159/000513445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients' expectations towards the benefit of a treatment are key determinants of placebo responses and can affect the development and course of medical conditions and the efficacy and tolerability of active medical treatment. The mechanisms mediating these placebo and nocebo effects have been best described in the field of experimental pain and placebo analgesia. However, also in dermatology experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that various skin diseases such as inflammatory dermatoses and allergic reactions can be modulated by patients' expectations. Dermatologists should consider the important modulatory role of patients' expectations on the efficacy and tolerability of specific treatments and the key role of verbal information, patients' prior treatment experiences (associative learning), and the quality and quantity of doctor-patient communication in shaping treatment expectation. As a consequence, techniques aiming at maximizing patients' expectation effects should be implemented into daily clinical routine. By contrast, in clinical studies expectation effects should be maximally controlled and harmonized to improve the "assay sensitivity" to detect new compounds. Further translational studies, also in dermatoses that have not been investigated yet, are needed to better characterize the mechanisms underlying patients' expectation and to gain further insights into potential clinical implications of these effects in dermatologic conditions. Therefore, in this review, we provide a brief overview on the concept of expectation effects on treatment outcome in general, summarize what is already known about this topic for dermatologic diseases, and finally present the relevance of this topic in clinical dermatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Sondermann
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany,
| | - Finja Reinboldt-Jockenhöfer
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Joachim Dissemond
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Pfaar
- Section of Rhinology and Allergy, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Bingel
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Manfred Schedlowski
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Pan Y, Meister R, Löwe B, Kaptchuk TJ, Buhling KJ, Nestoriuc Y. Open-label placebos for menopausal hot flushes: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20090. [PMID: 33208855 PMCID: PMC7674475 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77255-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the efficacy of an open-label placebo (OLP) treatment for menopausal hot flushes. Women with at least five moderate or severe hot flushes per day were allocated to receive four weeks of OLP for twice a day or no-treatment. Intention-to-treat analyses included n = 100 women. In comparison to no-treatment, OLP reduced the log-transformed hot flush composite score (frequency × intensity) (mean difference in change: − 0.32, 95% CI [− 0.43; − 0.21], p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.86), hot flush frequency (− 1.12 [− 1.81; − 0.43], p = 0.02, Cohen’s d = 0.51), and improved overall menopause-related quality of life (− 2.53 [− 4.17; − 0.89], p = 0.02, Cohen’s d = 0.49). Twelve (24%) (vs. three [6%]) patients had 50% lesser hot flushes. Problem rating of hot flushes and subdomains of quality of life did not improve. After four weeks, the OLP group was further divided via randomization to continue or discontinue the treatment. Benefits were maintained at week 8 (log-transformed score: − 0.04 [− 0.06; 0.14], p = 0.45). There was no difference between taking placebos for 8 or 4 weeks (log-transformed score: 0.04 [− 0.17; 0.25], p = 0.73). Results indicate that open-label placebos may be an effective, safe alternative for menopausal hot flushes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqi Pan
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed Forces, Hamburg, Germany. .,Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Ramona Meister
- Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Löwe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ted J Kaptchuk
- Program in Placebo Studies and the Therapeutic Encounter (PiPS), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Kai J Buhling
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Clinic of Gynecology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Nestoriuc
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed Forces, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Kleinstäuber M, Colgan S, Petrie KJ. Changing understanding, perceptions, pain relief of and preference for generic medicines with patient education: An experimental intervention study. Res Social Adm Pharm 2020; 17:1288-1299. [PMID: 33012643 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Generic medicines have been associated with less perceived efficacy and more side effects compared to brand name drugs. Educational interventions to improve individuals' negative perceptions of generic medicines show contradictory effects. OBJECTIVE This study investigated whether an interventional video that informs about the approval process of releasing medicines has better effects on outcomes related to perceptions and effectiveness of generic medicines in participants with headaches, in comparison with another interventional video that addresses bioequivalence between brand name and generic drugs or a control video. METHODS Participants with frequent tension headaches were randomized to one of three groups (one of two interventional videos or the control video). One of the interventional videos explained the process of approval of generic medicines (n = 34), the other one explained the bioequivalence between brand name and generic drugs (n = 35). The control video informed participants about the epidemiology and etiology of headaches (n = 34). After watching the video, participants treated their next two consecutive episodes of headache with a brand name and a generic analgesic in randomized order. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-report measures of understanding and perceptions of and preference for medicines, pain severity and side effects. RESULTS Linear mixed models showed that both interventional videos improved participants' understanding of generic medicines. The generic drug approval process video enhanced the perceived effectiveness, safety and quality of generic drugs. The bioequivalence video positively influenced the preference for generic drugs. The brand name and generic drug were equally effective in relieving pain in participants who watched either the generic drug approval process or the bioequivalence video. CONCLUSIONS Information about both, approving a switch from brand name medicines to generic counterparts and bioequivalence, can be important and should be addressed in future educational interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kleinstäuber
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Otago Medical School - Dunedin Campus, University of Otago, 464 Cumberland St, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand.
| | - Sarah Colgan
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland City Hospital, 2 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
| | - Keith J Petrie
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland City Hospital, 2 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
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Effects of open-label placebo on pain, functional disability, and spine mobility in patients with chronic back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Pain 2020; 160:2891-2897. [PMID: 31479068 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chronic back pain (CBP) is a major global health problem, while its treatment is hampered by a lack of efficacy and restricted safety profile of common frontline therapies. The present trial aims to determine whether a 3-week open-label placebo treatment reduces pain intensity and subjective and objective functional disability in patients with CBP. This randomized controlled trial, following a pretest-posttest design, enrolled 127 patients with CBP (pain duration >12 weeks) from the Back Pain Center, Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Germany. Patients randomized to the open-label placebo group received a 3-week open-label placebo treatment. Patients in the treatment as usual (TAU) group received no intervention. Both groups continued TAU. Primary outcome was the change in pain intensity. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported functional disability and objective measures of spine mobility and depression, anxiety, and stress. One hundred twenty two patients with CBP were randomized to the open-label placebo group (N = 63) or TAU group (N = 59). Open-label placebo application led to a larger reduction of pain intensity (-0.62 ± 0.23 vs 0.11 ± 0.17, all M ± SE, P = 0.001, d = -0.44) as well as patient-reported functional disability (3.21 ± 1.59 vs 0.65 ± 1.15, P = 0.020, d = -0.45) and depression scores (-1.07 ± 0.55 vs 0.37 ± 0.39, P = 0.010, d = -0.50) compared with TAU only. Open-label placebo treatment did not affect objective mobility parameters, anxiety and stress. Our study demonstrates that a 3-week open-label placebo treatment is safe, well tolerated and reduces pain, disability, and depressive symptoms in CBP. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00012712.
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MacKrill K, Groom KM, Petrie KJ. The effect of symptom-tracking apps on symptom reporting. Br J Health Psychol 2020; 25:1074-1085. [PMID: 32790051 DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The use of health apps is increasing worldwide, with a common feature being daily symptom tracking. However, symptom tracking has been shown to increase symptom reporting. This study investigated whether using a menstrual-monitoring app with a symptom-tracking feature increases symptom reporting compared to an app without this feature or no app at all. DESIGN Experimental study. METHODS Ninety-one participants were randomly allocated to use either a menstrual-monitoring app with a symptom tracker or a simple calendar app, or to a no app control group. The number of period-related symptoms as well as general symptom reporting was assessed at baseline prior to group allocation and then 1 and 4 months later. The change in the proportion of people classified as high symptom reporters was also examined. RESULTS We found that the symptom-tracking app group reported significantly more period-related symptoms at 4 months than the calendar app group (mean difference = 1.16 symptoms, p = .010). At the 4-month time point, significantly more participants in the symptom-tracking group were now classified as high period symptom reporters (baseline 50%, 4 months 70%, p = .031), while the other two groups did not change from baseline. There were no differences in general symptom reporting across the three groups. CONCLUSION A period-monitoring app with a symptom tracker may increase the reporting of period symptoms. This effect does not appear to generalize to broader symptom reporting. Further research is needed to support these findings and to examine the impact of symptom-tracking apps on daily functioning and health anxiety. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? The experience of transient symptoms is common in day-to-day life. These symptoms often do not have an underlying cause or are a sign of illness. Actively tracking symptoms has been shown to result in greater symptom reporting, symptom severity, and slower recovery from injury. The use of health apps is increasing, with a common feature being symptom tracking. Menstrual-monitoring apps, in particular, frequently require users to track symptoms. What does this study add? Using a menstrual-monitoring app with a symptom tracker for 4 months increases the number of period-specific symptoms reported compared a basic calendar app. A greater proportion of people were now classified as high period symptom reporters after using the symptom-tracking app. These effects do not seem to generalize to broader non-specific symptom reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate MacKrill
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Katie M Groom
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Keith J Petrie
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand
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Faasse K, Huynh A, Pearson S, Geers AL, Helfer SG, Colagiuri B. The Influence of Side Effect Information Framing on Nocebo Effects. Ann Behav Med 2020; 53:621-629. [PMID: 30204841 DOI: 10.1093/abm/kay071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One contributing factor to the development of nocebo effects is information provided about possible side effects. However, nondisclosure of information can be problematic. PURPOSE We assessed whether positively framed side effect information (highlighting likelihood of not experiencing side effects) can reduce nocebo effects compared to negatively framed information (highlighting likelihood of experiencing side effects). METHODS One hundred twelve participants took part in research ostensibly assessing the influence of benzodiazepines (actually sham capsules) on anxiety. Participants were randomized to receive a sham capsule with positively or negatively framed information about four side effects, or a no-treatment control condition. Side effect expectations were assessed after information provision. Framed side effects and other unmentioned symptoms were assessed during the session and 24-hr follow-up. RESULTS Nocebo effects occurred in symptoms presented as side effects (regardless of framing) during the study session and follow-up (ps < .003). At follow-up, there was also a nocebo effect in other unmentioned symptoms (p = .018). Positive framing reduced side effect symptoms compared with negative framing during the study session (p = .037), but this effect was no longer present at follow-up (p = .53). Side effect expectations did not differ between the framing conditions (p = .14). CONCLUSIONS Positive framing reduced side effects short-term, but not at follow-up. Expectations did not differ between negative and positive framing. Nocebo effects appeared to generalize to other unmentioned symptoms over a 24-hr period. Further research is needed to determine whether the initial impact of positive framing can be maintained over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Faasse
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anna Huynh
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah Pearson
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew L Geers
- Department of Psychology, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | | | - Ben Colagiuri
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Rief W. [The role of placebo and nocebo mechanisms in depressive diseases and their treatment]. DER NERVENARZT 2020; 91:675-683. [PMID: 32607602 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-020-00940-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is substantial evidence that placebo and nocebo effects occur during treatment with antidepressants. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these effects is necessary to optimize the outcome of treatment and to make clinical studies more sensitive. METHODS Placebo and nocebo mechanisms were analyzed based on empirical studies and the results are summarized in a narrative review. RESULTS Clinical studies and also experimental mechanism-oriented studies underline the effects of placebo and nocebo mechanisms in the treatment with antidepressants. CONCLUSION The success of treatment in the use of antidepressants can be increased and the probability of side effects can be reduced by the effective use of placebo mechanisms and reduction of nocebo effects. The results emphasize the influence of clinician-patient interactions, the role of the treatment context and previous experiences with other treatments of the patient. Simultaneously, the results of this research field stimulate a new understanding of mental disorders, in particular depression and also provide points of reference for optimization of psychotherapeutic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winfried Rief
- Psychotherapie Ambulanz, Philipps Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35032, Marburg, Deutschland.
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Reply to Amorim et al. Pain 2020; 161:1124-1125. [PMID: 32301901 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Optimizing expectations about endocrine treatment for breast cancer: Results of the randomized controlled psy-breast trial. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY IN EUROPE 2020; 2:e2695. [DOI: 10.32872/cpe.v2i1.2695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Medication side effects are strongly determined by non-pharmacological, nocebo mechanisms, particularly patients’ expectations. Optimizing expectations could minimize side effect burden. This study evaluated whether brief psychological expectation management training (EXPECT) optimizes medication-related expectations in women starting adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) for breast cancer.
Method
In a multisite randomized controlled design, 197 women were randomized to EXPECT, supportive therapy (SUPPORT), or treatment as usual (TAU). The three-session cognitive-behavioral EXPECT employs psychoeducation, guided imagery, and side effect management training. Outcomes were necessity-concern beliefs about AET, expected side effects, expected coping ability, treatment control expectations, and adherence intention.
Results
Both interventions were well accepted and feasible. Patients’ necessity-concern beliefs were optimized in EXPECT compared to both TAU and SUPPORT, d = .41, p < .001; d = .40, p < .001. Expected coping ability and treatment control expectations were optimized compared to TAU, d = .35, p = .02; d = .42, p < 001, but not to SUPPORT. Adherence intention was optimized compared to SUPPORT, d = .29, p = .02, but not to TAU. Expected side effects did not change significantly.
Conclusion
Expectation management effectively and partly specifically (compared to SUPPORT) modified medication-related expectations in women starting AET. Given the influence of expectations on long-term treatment outcome, psychological interventions like EXPECT might provide potential pathways to reduce side effect burden and improve quality of life during medication intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Colloca
- From the University of Maryland School of Nursing and School of Medicine, Baltimore (L.C.); and the Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (A.J.B.)
| | - Arthur J Barsky
- From the University of Maryland School of Nursing and School of Medicine, Baltimore (L.C.); and the Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (A.J.B.)
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Adherence to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) Guidelines for Reporting Safety Outcomes in Trials of Medical Cannabis and Cannabis-based Medicines for Chronic Noncancer Pain. Clin J Pain 2020; 36:302-319. [DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Appiah B, Yoshikawa A, Asamoah‐Akuoko L, Anum DA, Kretchy IA, Samman E, Goulart A, Nwokike J, Dodoo ANO, Darko DM, Rene A. Consumer reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions: modelling the acceptance of mobile phone caller tunes to raise awareness. JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jphs.12330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Appiah
- Research Program on Public and International Engagement for Health Department of Environmental and Occupational Health School of Public Health Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
- Centre for Science and Health Communication Accra Ghana
| | - Aya Yoshikawa
- Center for Population Health and Aging Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
| | - Lucy Asamoah‐Akuoko
- Centre for Science and Health Communication Accra Ghana
- National Blood Service Ghana, Research and Development Accra Ghana
| | | | - Irene Akwo Kretchy
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy School of Pharmacy University of Ghana Legon Accra Ghana
| | - Elfreda Samman
- Centre for Science and Health Communication Accra Ghana
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences School of Public HealthTexas A&M University College StationTXUSA
| | - Ana Goulart
- Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution College of Engineering Texas A&M University College Station TXUSA
| | - Jude Nwokike
- Promoting the Quality of Medicines Program United States Pharmacopeial Convention Rockville MD USA
| | - Alexander N. O. Dodoo
- Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics University of Ghana Medical School AccraGhana
- African Collaborating Centre for Pharmacovigilance and Surveillance Accra Ghana
| | - Delese Mimi Darko
- National Pharmacovigilance Centre, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Accra Ghana
| | - Antonio Rene
- Research Program on Environment and Sustainability Department of Environmental and Occupational Health School of Public Health Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
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It can't hurt, right? Adverse effects of psychotherapy in patients with depression. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2019; 269:577-586. [PMID: 30088072 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-018-0931-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite growing awareness of occasional adverse effects of psychological treatments, only a few instruments cover side effects and other unwanted effects of psychotherapy. For the present study, the Positive and Negative Effects of Psychotherapy Scale (PANEPS) was evaluated in a population of individuals with depression who had completed at least one course of face-to-face psychotherapy. A total of 135 individuals with a current or previous depressive episode as verified by a diagnostic interview filled out the online version of the PANEPS, which is designed to capture both positive and adverse events. Factor analysis yielded four dimensions: positive effects, side effects, malpractice, and unethical conduct. Internal consistency of the individual subscales was satisfactory to excellent (Cronbach's α: 0.72 and 0.92). Positive effects were reported by virtually all patients (95.6%). At the same time, approximately half of the sample noted at least one adverse event (52.6%). Among these, side effects (38.5%) and malpractice (26.7%) were significantly more prevalent than unethical conduct (8.1%). As expected, positive effects were negatively correlated with adverse events. Our results challenge the common clinical assumption that some degree of destabilization is necessary for symptom improvement. The survey was conducted anonymously, and the sample underwent diagnostic verification. The results indicate a need for improved treatment guidelines and mechanisms to monitor treatment.
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Spanou I, Mavridis T, Mitsikostas DD. Nocebo in Biosimilars and Generics in Neurology: A Systematic Review. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:809. [PMID: 31396084 PMCID: PMC6667943 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Nocebo refers to adverse events related to patients’ negative expectations and previous experiences, mediated by several neurobiological pathways within the brain. It is common among neurological patients and affects adherence and treatment outcomes, representing a real clinical challenge. Methods: We conducted a systematic search based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines in MEDLINE database, using several keywords for studies that can be processed to investigate the magnitude of nocebo in generics and biosimilars used in the most common neurological diseases. The aim was to estimate its size and suggest strategies to minimize its prevalence in clinical trials and practice. Results: Of a total of 2,606 identified articles, after criteria-based selection, 35 studies were included for analysis. Overall, there was vast heterogeneity across the studies concerning population, study design, and outcomes. Nocebo response could be estimated only in one double-blind randomized trial of generic glatiramer acetate in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis that included a placebo arm. In this trial, no significant differences observed between the three arms (innovator, bioequivalent, and placebo) in favorable and unfavorable outcomes. In the open-label phase of the trial, an increased withdrawal rate was recorded in patients switched from placebo to bioequivalent (8.4%) that may be related to nocebo. In other open-label and real-world studies evaluating biosimilars or generics for brain disorders, a similar indirect nocebo effect is assuming by several investigators. Also, knowledge gaps between health-care providers and patients exist towards generics and biosimilars. Conclusions: Despite its presence, the true burden of the nocebo response and effect cannot be accurately estimated in existing studies with generics and biosimilars in neurological diseases. Targeted strategies for clinical trials’ design are needed in order to measure the exact nocebo’s size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Spanou
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodoros Mavridis
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimos D Mitsikostas
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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MacKrill K, Kleinstäuber M, Petrie KJ. The effect of rebranding generic medicines on drug efficacy and side effects. Psychol Health 2019; 34:1470-1485. [PMID: 31112047 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2019.1616088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Branded medicines have a greater placebo effect, resulting in a heightened therapeutic response, whereas generics are associated with greater side effect reporting. These two studies investigated whether enhancing the appearance of a generic medicine could increase placebo and decrease nocebo responding.Design: Two experimental studies allegedly examining the effect of β-blockers (actually placebos) for pre-examination anxiety. In Study 1, participants received either a generic β-blocker with enhanced packaging, a plainly packaged generic or a branded β-blocker. Study 2 compared an enhanced packaging generic to a plainly packaged generic β-blocker.Main outcomes measures: Blood pressure, heart rate, anxiety and the number of symptoms and side effects reported.Results: Study 1 found no differences between the three groups for blood pressure, heart rate, or anxiety. Study 2 showed similar results but a significant difference in anxiety was found with the plain generic group experiencing a greater reduction in anxiety than the enhanced generic group. No differences in symptoms or side effects were found in either study.Conclusions: While the sample characteristics and familiarity of the medicines may have influenced the findings, we found no evidence that enhancing the branding of generic medicines improved response to the medication or reduced side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate MacKrill
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Maria Kleinstäuber
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Keith J Petrie
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Machmutow K, Meister R, Jansen A, Kriston L, Watzke B, Härter MC, Liebherz S. Comparative effectiveness of continuation and maintenance treatments for persistent depressive disorder in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 5:CD012855. [PMID: 31106850 PMCID: PMC6526465 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012855.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is defined as a depressive disorder with a minimum illness duration of two years, including four diagnostic subgroups (dysthymia, chronic major depression, recurrent major depression with incomplete remission between episodes, and double depression). Persistent forms of depression represent a substantial proportion of depressive disorders, with a lifetime prevalence ranging from 3% to 6% in the Western world. Growing evidence indicates that PDD responds well to several acute interventions, such as combined psychological and pharmacological treatments. Yet, given the high rates of relapse and recurrences of depression following response to acute treatment, long-term continuation and maintenance therapy are of great importance. To date, there has been no evidence synthesis available on continuation and maintenance treatments of PDDs. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of pharmacological and psychological (either alone or combined) continuation and maintenance treatments for persistent depressive disorder, in comparison with each other, placebo (drug/attention placebo/non-specific treatment control), and treatment as usual (TAU). Continuation treatments are defined as treatments given to currently remitted people (remission is defined as depressive symptoms dropping below case level) or to people who previously responded to an antidepressant treatment. Maintenance therapy is given during recovery (which is defined as remission lasting longer than six months). SEARCH METHODS We searched Ovid MEDLINE (1950- ), Embase (1974- ), PsycINFO (1967- ) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) to 28 September 2018. An earlier search of these databases was also conducted for RCTs via the Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Controlled Trial Register (CCMD-CTR) (all years to 11 Dec 2015). In addition we searched grey literature resources as well as the international trial registers ClinicalTrials.gov and ICTRP to 28 September 2018. We screened reference lists of included studies and contacted the first author of all included studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomized (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (NRCTs) in adults with formally diagnosed PDD, receiving pharmacological, psychological, or combined continuation and maintenance interventions. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently selected studies and extracted and analyzed data. The primary efficacy outcome was relapse/recurrence rate of depression. The primary acceptance outcome was dropout due to any reason other than relapse/recurrence. We performed random-effects meta-analyses using risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and mean differences (MD) for continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS We included 10 studies (seven RCTs, three NRCTs) involving 840 participants in this review, from which five studies investigated continuation treatments and five studies investigated maintenance treatments. Overall, the included studies were at low-to-moderate risk of bias. For the three NRCTs, the most common source of risk of bias was selection of reported results. For the seven RCTs, the most common sources of risk of bias was non-blinding of outcome assessment and other bias (especially conflict of interest due to pharmaceutical sponsoring).Pharmacological continuation and maintenance therapiesThe most common comparison was antidepressant medication versus tablet placebo (five studies). Participants taking antidepressant medication were probably less likely to relapse or to experience a recurrent episode compared to participants in the placebo group at the end of the intervention (13.9% versus 33.8%, RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.79; participants = 383; studies = 4; I² = 54%, moderate quality evidence). Overall dropout rates may be similar between participants in the medication and placebo group (23.0% versus 25.5%, RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.39 to 2.11; RCTs = 4; participants = 386; I² = 64%, low quality evidence). However, sensitivity analyses showed that the primary outcome (rate of relapse/recurrence) showed no evidence of a difference between groups when only including studies with low risk of bias.None of the studies compared pharmacological or psychological treatments versus TAU.Psychological continuation and maintenance therapiesOne study compared psychological therapies versus attention placebo/non-specific control. One study compared psychotherapy with medication. The results of the studies including psychotherapy might indicate that continued or maintained psychotherapy could be a useful intervention compared to no treatment or antidepressant medication. However, the body of evidence for these comparisons was too small and uncertain to draw any high quality conclusions.Combined psychological and pharmacological continuation and maintenance therapiesThree studies compared combined psychological and pharmacological therapies with pharmacological therapies alone. One study compared combined psychological and pharmacological therapies with psychotherapeutic therapies alone. However, the body of evidence for these comparisons was too small and uncertain to draw any high quality conclusionsComparison of different antidepressant medications Two studies reported data on the direct comparison of two antidepressants. However, the body of evidence for this comparison was too small and uncertain to draw any high quality conclusions. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Currently, it is uncertain whether continued or maintained pharmacotherapy (or both) with the reviewed antidepressant agents is a robust treatment for preventing relapse and recurrence in people with PDD, due to moderate or high risk of bias as well as clinical heterogeneity in the analyzed studies.For all other comparisons, the body of evidence was too small to draw any final conclusions, although continued or maintained psychotherapy might be effective compared to no treatment. There is need for more high quality trials of psychological interventions. Further studies should address health-related quality of life and adverse events more precisely, as well as assessing follow-up data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Machmutow
- University of ZurichDepartment of Clinical Psychology and PsychotherapyZurichSwitzerland
- Psychiatrische Dienste Aargau AGWindischSwitzerland
| | - Ramona Meister
- University Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfDepartment of Medical PsychologyMartinistr. 52HamburgHamburgGermanyD‐20246
| | - Alessa Jansen
- University Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfDepartment of Medical PsychologyMartinistr. 52HamburgHamburgGermanyD‐20246
| | - Levente Kriston
- University Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfDepartment of Medical PsychologyMartinistr. 52HamburgHamburgGermanyD‐20246
| | - Birgit Watzke
- University of ZurichDepartment of Clinical Psychology and PsychotherapyZurichSwitzerland
| | - Martin Christian Härter
- University Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfDepartment of Medical PsychologyMartinistr. 52HamburgHamburgGermanyD‐20246
| | - Sarah Liebherz
- University Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfDepartment of Medical PsychologyMartinistr. 52HamburgHamburgGermanyD‐20246
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