1
|
Montag LT, Bisson EJ, Duggan S, Gregory T, Murphy G, Gilron I, Wilson R, Salomons TV. Patient Expectations and Therapeutic Alliance Affect Pain Reduction Following Lidocaine Infusion in an Interdisciplinary Chronic Pain Clinic. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:104443. [PMID: 38056545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Pain experience is affected by both ascending nociceptive signals and descending modulation. Expectations can affect pain experience and augment treatment-induced analgesia through descending inhibitory modulation of pain. This open-label, prospective cohort study examined the association between participant expectation ratings and pain reduction in adult participants with chronic pain receiving an intravenous lidocaine infusion. We aimed to explore whether: 1) participants' expectations of treatment efficacy were associated with pain reduction over 8 weeks after infusion; and 2) participants' therapeutic alliance was associated with expectations and/or pain reduction. We recruited 70 participants with chronic pain scheduled for lidocaine infusion. Study measures included pain intensity (pre-treatment, post-treatment, and daily for 8 weeks), treatment expectations (EXPECT), and therapeutic alliance (Trust in Physician and Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised). Baseline treatment expectations were significantly correlated with pain reduction (r = .42, P < .01). Therapeutic alliance was significantly correlated with expectations (r = .27, P < .05) and pain reduction (r = .38, P < .01). This study quantifies the contribution of: 1) treatment expectations; and 2) therapeutic alliance to the magnitude of lidocaine-induced pain reduction. Results generate the hypothesis that focused efforts to augment treatment expectations and therapeutic alliance could serve to improve pain treatment outcomes. PERSPECTIVE: This study evaluates the relationship between pain reduction and ratings of: 1) treatment expectations; and 2) therapeutic alliance following an intravenous lidocaine infusion. Results generate the hypothesis that focused efforts to augment treatment expectations and therapeutic alliance could serve to improve pain treatment outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Landon T Montag
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Etienne J Bisson
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Chronic Pain Clinic, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Scott Duggan
- Chronic Pain Clinic, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Thomas Gregory
- Kingston Orthopaedic Pain Institute, Kingston, Canada; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Greg Murphy
- Kingston Orthopaedic Pain Institute, Kingston, Canada
| | - Ian Gilron
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Chronic Pain Clinic, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; School of Policy Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Providence Care Hospital, Kingston, Canada
| | - Rosemary Wilson
- Chronic Pain Clinic, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; School of Nursing, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Tim V Salomons
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Raghuraman N, White JN, Watson L, Belleï-Rodriguez CÉ, Shafir R, Wang Y, Colloca L. Neuropsychological mechanisms of observational learning in human placebo effects. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06608-7. [PMID: 38743108 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06608-7] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Scientific evidence indicates that placebo effects are psychoneurobiological events involving the contribution of distinct central nervous systems and peripheral physiological mechanisms that influence pain perception and other symptoms. Placebo effects can occur without formal conditioning and direct prior experience because crucial information can be acquired through observational learning. Observation of benefits in another person results in placebo effects of a magnitude like those induced by directly experiencing an analgesic benefit. Understanding the psychological mechanisms of observationally induced placebo effects is a complex and multifaceted endeavor. While previous reviews have highlighted various frameworks and models to understand these phenomena, the underlying biological mechanisms have been overlooked. We summarize critically current understanding of its behavioral and neural mechanisms. Understanding the neural mechanisms of hypoalgesia driven by observation can serve as a foundation for future development of novel theoretical and methodological approaches and ultimately, applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nandini Raghuraman
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Program in Epidemiology and Human Genetics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Placebo Beyond Opinions Center, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, USA
| | - Jewel N White
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Placebo Beyond Opinions Center, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, USA
- Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Lakota Watson
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Roni Shafir
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Placebo Beyond Opinions Center, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, USA
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Placebo Beyond Opinions Center, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, USA
- Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Luana Colloca
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Placebo Beyond Opinions Center, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, USA.
- Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tang B, Livesey E, Colagiuri B. Choice over placebo administration enhances open-label placebo hypoalgesia. Pain 2024; 165:1101-1111. [PMID: 37963238 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Many studies indicate that deceptively administered placebos can improve pain outcomes. However, the deception involved presents an ethical barrier to translation because it violates informed consent and patient autonomy. Open-label placebos (OLPs), inert treatments that are openly administered as placebos, have been proposed as an ethically acceptable alternative. Early studies have suggested that OLP can improve pain outcomes, but important questions remain as to how to maximise OLP hypoalgesia to improve treatment outcomes in pain patients. This study investigated whether providing choice over when to administer an OLP treatment has the capacity to enhance OLP hypoalgesia using an electrocutaneous pain paradigm. One hundred thirty-two healthy volunteers were randomised to 3 types of treatment: OLP with choice, OLP without choice, and no treatment (natural history). The OLP groups were further randomised such that half were tested with a consistent pain intensity and the other half were tested with variable pain intensity to mimic day-to-day variability in pain intensity in health settings. The results indicated that treatment provided with choice exhibited greater OLP hypoalgesia than that provided without choice and that greater expectancy mediated this effect. Of interest, there was no evidence for OLP hypoalgesia without choice relative to natural history. Furthermore, variability in pain intensity did not affect OLP hypoalgesia. The current findings present novel evidence that choice over treatment administration may be a cheap and effective strategy for boosting the efficacy of OLPs in the clinical care of pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Biya Tang
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Matthiesen ST, Sieg M, Andersen SS, Amanzio M, Finnerup NB, Jensen TS, Gottrup H, Vase L. Placebo analgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia in patients with Alzheimer disease and healthy participants. Pain 2024; 165:440-449. [PMID: 37703397 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The role of placebo analgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) is largely unknown, with only few studies in the area. Therefore, this study aims to investigate to which extent placebo analgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia effects are present in patients experiencing mild-to-moderate AD. Twenty-one patients with AD (test population) and 26 healthy participants (HP; design validation) were exposed to thermal pain stimulation on 3 test days: Lidocaine condition (open/hidden lidocaine administration), capsaicin condition (open/hidden capsaicin administration), and natural history (no treatment), in a randomized, within-subject design. Open lidocaine and open capsaicin were accompanied by verbal suggestions for pain relief and pain increase, respectively. Expected pain and actual pain intensity were measured on a numerical rating scale (0-10). Placebo and nocebo effects were calculated as pain differences in open-hidden lidocaine and capsaicin, respectively, controlled for no treatment. Healthy participants obtained a placebo effect ( P = 0.01) and a trend for a nocebo effect ( P = 0.07). Patients with AD did not obtain a placebo effect ( P = 0.44) nor a significant nocebo effect ( P = 0.86). Healthy participants expected lower and higher pain with open vs hidden lidocaine and capsaicin, respectively ( P < 0.001). The same expectation effects were seen in patients with AD (open vs hidden lidocaine, P = 0.008; open vs hidden capsaicin, P < 0.001). With a well-controlled experimental setting, this study suggests that patients with AD may not experience placebo analgesia effects. Nocebo hyperalgesia effects in patients with AD needs further research. These findings may have implications for the conduction of clinical trials and the treatment of patients with AD in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Tomczak Matthiesen
- Division for Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Science, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Mette Sieg
- Division for Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Science, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Stephanie Skøtt Andersen
- Division for Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Science, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | | | - Nanna Brix Finnerup
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Danish Pain Research Center, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Hanne Gottrup
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lene Vase
- Division for Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Science, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hird EJ, Diederen K, Leucht S, Jensen KB, McGuire P. The Placebo Effect in Psychosis: Why It Matters and How to Measure It. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:605-613. [PMID: 37881581 PMCID: PMC10593894 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychosis is characterized by unusual percepts and beliefs in the form of hallucinations and delusions. Antipsychotic medication, the primary treatment for psychosis, is often ineffective and accompanied by severe side effects, but research has not identified an effective alternative in several decades. One reason that clinical trials fail is that patients with psychosis tend to show a significant therapeutic response to inert control treatments, known as the placebo effect, which makes it difficult to distinguish drug effects from placebo effects. Conversely, in clinical practice, a strong placebo effect may be useful because it could enhance the overall treatment response. Identifying factors that predict large placebo effects could improve the future outlook of psychosis treatment. Biomarkers of the placebo effect have already been suggested in pain and depression, but not in psychosis. Quantifying markers of the placebo effect would have the potential to predict placebo effects in psychosis clinical trials. Furthermore, the placebo effect and psychosis may represent a shared neurocognitive mechanism in which prior beliefs are weighted against new sensory information to make inferences about reality. Examining this overlap could reveal new insights into the mechanisms underlying psychosis and indicate novel treatment targets. We provide a narrative review of the importance of the placebo effect in psychosis and propose a novel method to assess it.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily J. Hird
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, England
| | - Kelly Diederen
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, England
| | - Stefan Leucht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Karin B. Jensen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philip McGuire
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, England
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Karacaoglu M, Peerdeman KJ, Numans ME, Stolk MR, Meijer S, Klinger R, Veldhuijzen DS, van Middendorp H, Evers AWM. Nocebo Hyperalgesia in Patients With Fibromyalgia and Healthy Controls: An Experimental Investigation of Conditioning and Extinction Processes at Baseline and 1-Month Follow-up. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:1696-1711. [PMID: 37196928 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Nocebo effects are adverse treatment outcomes that are not ascribed to active treatment components. Potentially, their magnitude might be higher in patients with chronic pain compared to healthy controls since patients likely experience treatment failure more frequently. The current study investigated group differences in the induction and extinction of nocebo effects on pressure pain at baseline (N = 69) and 1-month follow-up (N = 56) in female patients with fibromyalgia and matched healthy controls. Nocebo effects were first experimentally induced via classical conditioning combined with instructions on the pain-increasing function of a sham transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device, then decreased via extinction. One month later, the same procedures were repeated to explore their stability. Results suggest that nocebo effects were induced in the healthy control group during baseline and follow-up. In the patient group, nocebo effects were only induced during follow-up, without clear group differences. Extinction was only observed during baseline in the healthy control group. Further comparisons of nocebo effects and extinction indicated no significant changes across sessions, possibly suggesting their overall magnitudes were stable over time and across groups. In conclusion, contrary to our expectations, patients with fibromyalgia did not have stronger nocebo hyperalgesia; instead, they might be less responsive to nocebo manipulations than healthy controls. PERSPECTIVE: The current study is the first to investigate group differences in experimentally manipulated nocebo hyperalgesia between chronic pain and healthy populations at baseline and 1-month follow-up. Since nocebo effects are common in clinical settings, their investigation in different populations is essential to explain and minimize their adverse effects during treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Merve Karacaoglu
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kaya J Peerdeman
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mattijs E Numans
- Public Health and Primary Care Department/LUMC-Campus Den Haag, Leiden University Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Martha R Stolk
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Simone Meijer
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Regine Klinger
- Center for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dieuwke S Veldhuijzen
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Henriët van Middendorp
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea W M Evers
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Medical Delta, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Leiden University & Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rossettini G, Campaci F, Bialosky J, Huysmans E, Vase L, Carlino E. The Biology of Placebo and Nocebo Effects on Experimental and Chronic Pain: State of the Art. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4113. [PMID: 37373806 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12124113] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: In recent years, placebo and nocebo effects have been extensively documented in different medical conditions, including pain. The scientific literature has provided strong evidence of how the psychosocial context accompanying the treatment administration can influence the therapeutic outcome positively (placebo effects) or negatively (nocebo effects). (2) Methods: This state-of-the-art paper aims to provide an updated overview of placebo and nocebo effects on pain. (3) Results: The most common study designs, the psychological mechanisms, and neurobiological/genetic determinants of these phenomena are discussed, focusing on the differences between positive and negative context effects on pain in experimental settings on healthy volunteers and in clinical settings on chronic pain patients. Finally, the last section describes the implications for clinical and research practice to maximize the medical and scientific routine and correctly interpret the results of research studies on placebo and nocebo effects. (4) Conclusions: While studies on healthy participants seem consistent and provide a clear picture of how the brain reacts to the context, there are no unique results of the occurrence and magnitude of placebo and nocebo effects in chronic pain patients, mainly due to the heterogeneity of pain. This opens up the need for future studies on the topic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesco Campaci
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Joel Bialosky
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Clinical Research Center, Brooks Rehabilitation, Jacksonville, FL 32211, USA
| | - Eva Huysmans
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lene Vase
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Elisa Carlino
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wagner C, Gaab J, Hediger K. The Importance of the Treatment Rationale for Pain in Animal-Assisted Interventions: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Participants. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:1080-1093. [PMID: 36641027 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.01.004] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) is a promising treatment approach for pain, but possible mechanisms still need to be elucidated. This study set out to investigate the analgesic effects of an animal provided with a treatment rationale in a randomized controlled trial employing a standardized experimental heat-pain paradigm. We randomly assigned 128 healthy participants to: dog treatment (DT), placebo treatment (PT), dog and placebo treatment (DPT), and no treatment (NT). Primary outcomes were heat-pain tolerance and the corresponding self-reported ratings of pain unpleasantness and intensity. Results revealed no differences in heat-pain tolerance between the conditions. However, participants in the DT condition experienced heat-pain as significantly less unpleasant at the limit of their tolerance compared to participants in the NT condition (estimate = -0.96, CI = -1.58 to 0.34, P = .010). Participants in the DT condition also showed lower ratings of pain intensity at the limit of their tolerance compared to participants in the NT condition (estimate = -0.44, CI = -0.89 to 0.02, P = .060). This study indicates that a dog has analgesic effects on pain perception when integrated into the treatment rationale. We assume that providing a treatment rationale regarding the animal is important in AAIs for pain. PERSPECTIVE: This study shows that the presence of an animal is not sufficient for animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) to have an analgesic effect on pain unless they are provided with a treatment rationale. This could imply that not only the animal but also contextual factors are important in AAIs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials NCT04361968.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cora Wagner
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Jens Gaab
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karin Hediger
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Animal-Assisted Intervention, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; Faculty of Psychology, Open University, Heerlen, Netherlands; Clinic for Neurorehabilitation and Paraplegiology, REHAB Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zubcevic K, Petersen M, Bach FW, Heinesen A, Enggaard TP, Almdal TP, Holbech JV, Vase L, Jensen TS, Hansen CS, Finnerup NB, Sindrup SH. Oral capsules of tetra-hydro-cannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and their combination in peripheral neuropathic pain treatment. Eur J Pain 2023; 27:492-506. [PMID: 36571471 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabinoids are often prescribed for neuropathic pain, but the evidence-based recommendation is 'weak against'. OBJECTIVES The aim was to examine the effect of two cannabinoids and their combination in peripheral neuropathic pain. METHODS This was a randomized, double-blind, trial with treatment arms for cannabidiol (CBD), tetra-hydro-cannabinol (THC), CBD and THC combination (CBD/THC), and placebo in a 1:1:1:1 ratio and flexible drug doses (CBD 5-50 mg, THC 2.5-25 mg, and CBD/THC 5 mg/2.5 mg-50 mg/25 mg). Treatment periods of 8-week duration were proceeded by 1 week for baseline observations. Patients with painful polyneuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia and peripheral nerve injury (traumatic or surgical) failing at least one previous evidence-based pharmacological treatment were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was the change in weekly average of daily pain measured with a numeric rating scale (NRS). Trail Making Test (TMT) was used as one of the tests of mental functioning. RESULTS In all, 145 patients were included in the study of which 118 were randomized and 115 included in the intention-to-treat analysis. None of the treatments reduced pain compared to placebo (p = 0.04-0.60). Effect sizes as estimated in week 8 (positive values worse and negative better than placebo) were CBD mean 1.14 NRS points (95% CI 0.11-2.19), THC 0.38 (CI -0.65 to 1.4) and CBD/THC -0.12 (-1.13 to 0.89). CONCLUSIONS CBD, THC and their combination did not relieve peripheral neuropathic pain in patients failing at least one previous evidence-based treatment for neuropathic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kanita Zubcevic
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Merete Petersen
- Multidisciplinary Pain Center, National Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Flemming Winther Bach
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Jakob Vormstrup Holbech
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lene Vase
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Division for Psychology and Neuroscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Troels Stahelin Jensen
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Nanna Brix Finnerup
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Søren H Sindrup
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wilson AT, Bishop MD, Beneciuk JM, Tilley HE, Riley JL, Cruz-Almeida Y, Bialosky JE. Expectations affect pain sensitivity changes during massage. J Man Manip Ther 2023; 31:84-92. [PMID: 36069038 PMCID: PMC10013429 DOI: 10.1080/10669817.2022.2118449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain-inducing massage produces comparable changes in pain sensitivity as a cold pressor task, suggesting shared neurophysiological mechanisms of conditioned pain modulation. Manual therapy and conditioned pain modulation are influenced by positive and negative expectations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of positive and negative expectations on pain-free and pain-inducing massage. METHODS 56 healthy participants were randomly assigned to receive a positive or negative expectation instructional set followed by a pain-inducing or a pain-free massage. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured followed by each interval of massage. A repeated measures ANCOVA controlling for post-randomization differences in sex tested for massage x expectation set x PPT interaction effects, as well as two-way interaction effects. RESULTS A significant three-way interaction effect (p = 0.04) and time x expectation interaction effect was observed for individuals receiving pain inducing massage (p = 0.02). Individuals who received the positive expectation instructional set demonstrated significantly higher PPT at minutes 3 and 4 of massage compared to individuals who received the negative expectation instructional set. CONCLUSIONS Expectations impact pain sensitivity changes produced during massage. Clinicians planning to provide pain-inducing massage should consider the role of expectations in modulating pain sensitivity changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abigail T Wilson
- School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
- Musculoskeletal Research Laboratory, Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Mark D. Bishop
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jason M. Beneciuk
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Clinical Research Center, Brooks Rehabilitation, Jacksonville, FL
| | - Hannah E. Tilley
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Joseph L. Riley
- Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Yenisel Cruz-Almeida
- Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Joel E. Bialosky
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Clinical Research Center, Brooks Rehabilitation, Jacksonville, FL
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sall Hansson K, Lindqvist G, Stening K, Fohlman J, Wojanowski A, Ponten M, Jensen K, Gerdle B, Elmqvist C. Efficacy of mecobalamin (vitamin B 12) in the treatment of long-term pain in women diagnosed with fibromyalgia: protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e066987. [PMID: 36997252 PMCID: PMC10069488 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fibromyalgia causes long-term pain. It affects at least 2% of the population, the majority being women. In addition, extended symptoms corresponding to vitamin B12 deficiency occur. Findings from several studies have indicated that vitamin B12 may be a possible treatment for pain in fibromyalgia. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate whether vitamin B12 decreases pain sensitivity and the experience of pain (ie, hyperalgesia and allodynia) in women with fibromyalgia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The study is a randomised, placebo-controlled, single-blind, clinical trial with two parallel groups which are administered mecobalamin (vitamin B12) or placebo over 12 weeks. 40 Swedish women aged 20-70 years with an earlier recorded diagnosis of fibromyalgia are randomised into the placebo group or the treatment group, each consisting of 20 participants. Outcomes consist of questionnaires measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. A final re-evaluation will then follow 12 weeks after treatment ends. The primary outcome is tolerance time, maximised to 3 min, which is assessed using the cold pressor test. In order to broaden the understanding of the lived experience of participants, qualitative interviews will be conducted using a phenomenological approach on a lifeworld theoretical basis (reflective lifeworld research approach). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The protocol for the study is approved by the local ethical committee at Linkoping (EPM; 2018/294-31, appendices 2019-00347 and 2020-04482). The principles of the Helsinki Declaration are followed regarding oral and written consent to participate, confidentiality and the possibility to withdraw participation from the study at any time. The results will primarily be communicated through peer-reviewed journals and conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05008042.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karin Sall Hansson
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Växjö, Sweden
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Centre of Interprofessional Cooperation within Emergency care (CICE), Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Gunilla Lindqvist
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Kent Stening
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Jan Fohlman
- Department of Research and development, Region Kronoberg, Vaxjo, Sweden
| | - Anna Wojanowski
- Department of Research and development, Region Kronoberg, Vaxjo, Sweden
| | - Moa Ponten
- The Pain Neuroimagine Lab, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Jensen
- The Pain Neuroimagine Lab, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Björn Gerdle
- Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linkopings Universitet, Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Carina Elmqvist
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Växjö, Sweden
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Centre of Interprofessional Cooperation within Emergency care (CICE), Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Research and development, Region Kronoberg, Vaxjo, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bishop MD, George SZ. Pain and Disability Following Exercise-Induced Injury in Prognostic and Intervention Studies: The Why May Be More Important Than the How. Clin J Pain 2023; 39:119-126. [PMID: 36827192 PMCID: PMC10243745 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000001097] [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: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In preclinical prognostic studies, the description of expected outcomes during an informed consent process indicates that the extent of pain and disability experienced and recovery time is unknown. In intervention studies, the consent process suggests that pain and disability will definitely occur and a treatment provided. Our objective was to determine whether study design (prognosis or intervention) was associated with the severity of pain intensity and disability reports from a preclinical model. MATERIALS AND METHODS We pooled pain and disability outcomes from prognostic and intervention studies using an exercise-induced muscle injury model of pain. Pain intensity, disability, and fear of pain were collected by validated self-report measures. Pain and disability data were z-transformed for pooled analyses and compared across the study design. RESULTS Data from 310 people were included. The primary findings were that self-reported pain intensity and disability were: (1) higher in prognostic studies than in the intervention studies and (2) associated with fear of pain. A secondary finding was that fear of pain was lower in the intervention compared with the prognostic studies. DISCUSSION Although there are other possible explanations, we speculate that these results could be related to the uncertainty inherent to providing informed consent for a prognostic study. In light of these findings, we recommend that informed consent language be more carefully considered when pain is induced in a controlled manner. Incorporating informed consent language commonly used in prognostic studies could result in higher pain intensity and disability ratings in studies that use preclinical models to test the efficacy of pain interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Bishop
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, USA
- Center for Pain Research and Behavioral Health, University of Florida, USA
| | - Steven Z George
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Jan Pawlik R, Aulenkamp J, Elsenbruch S. Wenn aus einem Bauchgefühl viszerale Schmerzen werden:
Placebo- und Nocebo-Mechanismen entlang der Darm-Hirn-Achse. AKTUELLE ERNÄHRUNGSMEDIZIN 2023. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1976-9382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungDas Erleben von Schmerz ist nach heutigem Verständnis durch eine Vielzahl
biologischer, psychologischer und sozialer Faktoren geprägt und somit
eine komplexe, von der Nozizeption abzugrenzende, psychologische Erfahrung.
Entsprechend ist das Schmerzerleben durch psychologische Faktoren modulierbar
und chronische Schmerzen werden als biopsychosoziale Erkrankungen verstanden.
Dies gilt auch für den Viszeralschmerz, dem spezifische
psychophysiologische Prinzipien und neurobiologische Mechanismen zugrunde
liegen, was eine interdisziplinäre Betrachtung unter Einbeziehung der
Psychologie und der Neurowissenschaften erforderlich macht. Ausgehend von den
bidirektionalen Verbindungen zwischen Darm und Hirn und aufbauend auf einem
biopsychosozialen Krankheitsmodell beschreibt dieser Übersichtsbeitrag
psychologische Mechanismen, die bei der Entstehung, Aufrechterhaltung und
Therapie viszeraler Schmerzen wichtig sind. Dabei liegt der Fokus auf positiven
und negativen Erwartungseffekten im psychosozialen Behandlungskontext.
Therapieerwartungen können Krankheitssymptome sowohl positiv als auch
negativ beeinflussen. Diese gemeinhin als Placebo- und Noceboeffekte bekannten
Phänomene, die durch die Arzt-Patient Kommunikation, Lernprozesse,
Stress und Furcht vermittelt werden, sind auch für den Viszeralschmerz
bei gastrointestinalen Erkrankungen zunehmend anerkannt und Gegenstand aktueller
grundlagenwissenschaftlicher und klinischer Forschungsaktivitäten. Neue
interdisziplinäre und translationale Forschungsansätze aus der
Forschung zu Placebo- und Noceboeffekten liefern spannende Einblicke in die
zahlreichen Verbindungen und Wechselbeziehungen zwischen Darm und Gehirn bei
normalen wie auch pathologischen Darm-Hirn Interaktionen und können dazu
beitragen, die Pathophysiologie von Erkrankungen, die mit viszeralen Schmerzen
einhergehen, besser zu verstehen und wichtige Erkenntnisse für neue
Therapieansätze zu gewinnen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Jan Pawlik
- Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische
Soziologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum Medizinische Fakultät,
Bochum, Germany
| | - JanaLuisa Aulenkamp
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin,
Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, Germany
- Klinik für Neurologie, Zentrum für Translationale
Neuro- und Verhaltenswissenschaften, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen,
Germany
| | - Sigrid Elsenbruch
- Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische
Soziologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum Medizinische Fakultät,
Bochum, Germany
- Klinik für Neurologie, Zentrum für Translationale
Neuro- und Verhaltenswissenschaften, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen,
Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Locher C, Koechlin H. Do expectations influence pain? Recognizing Irving Kirsch's contribution to our understanding of pain. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS 2023; 65:211-222. [PMID: 36219555 DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2022.2121677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Pain is a universal experience that can take different forms, and it can be acute or chronic. Experimental pain, such as heat pain, can help us better understand the pain experience, as it induces transient, but robust central sensitization in participants. Central sensitization is considered a key underlying concept in the development and maintenance of chronic pain and is defined as an overly effective transmission of nociception in the central nervous system. Expectations can influence perceived pain intensity and treatment success. Irving Kirsch's work in the field of experimental pain has greatly contributed to our understanding of how expectations influence the pain experience. In this article, we present some of Kirsch's landmark studies in this area and discuss their (clinical) implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cosima Locher
- University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Helen Koechlin
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Tu Y, Zhang L, Kong J. Placebo and nocebo effects: from observation to harnessing and clinical application. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:524. [PMID: 36564374 PMCID: PMC9789123 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02293-2] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Placebo and nocebo effects are salubrious benefits and negative outcomes attributable to non-specific symbolic components. Leveraging advanced experimental and analytical approaches, recent studies have elucidated complicated neural mechanisms that may serve as a solid basis for harnessing the powerful self-healing and self-harming capacities and applying these findings to improve medical practice and minimize the unintended exacerbation of symptoms in medical practice. We review advances in employing psychosocial, pharmacological, and neuromodulation approaches to modulate/harness placebo and nocebo effects. While these approaches show promising potential, translating these research findings into clinical settings still requires careful methodological, technical, and ethical considerations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiheng Tu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. .,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Libo Zhang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Kong
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Shiryan GT, Amin FS, Embaby EA. Effectiveness of polarized polychromatic light therapy on myofascial trigger points in chronic non-specific low back pain: a single blinded randomized controlled trial. BULLETIN OF FACULTY OF PHYSICAL THERAPY 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s43161-022-00085-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Phototherapy has been used for the treatment of chronic low back pain. However, the effect of linear polarized polychromatic light (PL) has not been examined on myofascial trigger points in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (NSLBP).
Objectives
To investigate the effectiveness of PL on pain intensity, pain sensitivity of active myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in gluteus medius (GM) and quadratus lamborum (QL) muscles, back disability, and lumbar range of motion in chronic NSLBP.
Methods
Forty-two participants of both genders with chronic NSLBP were randomly allocated into two equal groups: group A (Linear polarized polychromatic light (PL): 21 participants received polarized light therapy in the range of red and near-infrared rays on myofascial trigger points of bilateral GM and QL muscles for 5 min/point followed by stretching and strengthening exercises for 4 weeks. Group B (Sham PL): 21 participants received the same program but with sham linear polarized polychromatic light therapy. Numeric pain rating scale, pressure algometer, and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire were used to measure pain intensity, pain sensitivity (as represented by pain pressure threshold (PPT) of MTrPs of the target muscles and back disability respectively. Further, lumbar flexion, extension, and bilateral rotation were examined with a tape measure, while bilateral side bending were examined with a universal goniometer.
Results
After the intervention program, significant improvements (p < 0.05) in pain intensity, PPT of MTrPs of left GM (Effect Size (ES): 1.23) and bilateral QL muscles (ES Rt QL: 0.9; Lt QL: 1.56) were found in group A in comparison with group B. Nevertheless, the two groups displayed similar improvements (p > 0.05) in lumbar range of motion and back disability.
Conclusion
Linear polarized polychromatic light therapy in the range of red and near-infrared rays improves pain intensity and pain sensitivity of myofascial trigger points in chronic NSLBP.
Trial registration
PACTR, PACTR202111577053926. Registered 22 June 2019-Prospectively registered.
Collapse
|
19
|
Wendler D. Deceiving Research Participants: Is It Inconsistent With Valid Consent? THE JOURNAL OF MEDICINE AND PHILOSOPHY 2022; 47:558-571. [PMID: 36333927 PMCID: PMC9989839 DOI: 10.1093/jmp/jhac014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
It is widely assumed that the use of deception in research is always inconsistent with obtaining valid consent. In addition, guidelines and regulations permit research without valid consent only when it poses no greater than minimal risk. Current practice thus prohibits studies that use deception and pose greater than minimal risk, including studies that rely on deceptive methods to evaluate experimental treatments. To assess whether these prohibitions are justified, the present paper evaluates five arguments that might be thought to support the assumption that deception is always inconsistent with valid consent. Analysis of these arguments reveals that deception is frequently, but not always, inconsistent with obtaining valid consent for research. This conclusion suggests that, in order to avoid unnecessarily blocking valuable research, current policies and practice should be revised to recognize the conditions under which the use of deception can be consistent with obtaining research participants' valid consent.
Collapse
|
20
|
Schwartz M, Fischer LM, Bläute C, Stork J, Colloca L, Zöllner C, Klinger R. Observing treatment outcomes in other patients can elicit augmented placebo effects on pain treatment: a double-blinded randomized clinical trial with patients with chronic low back pain. Pain 2022; 163:1313-1323. [PMID: 35262315 PMCID: PMC9199107 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Clinical research on social observational learning (SoL) as an underlying mechanism for inducing expectancy and eliciting analgesic placebo effects is lacking. This double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial investigated the influence of SoL on medication-augmenting placebo effects in 44 patients with chronic low back pain. Our hypothesis was that observing positive drug effects on pain and mobility in another patient could increase pain reduction and functional capacity. To test this, we compared the effects of observing positive treatment outcomes in a sham patient (the social learning group [SoLG]) vs hearing the same sham patient report neutral effects (the control group). In the SoLG, the sham patient told peers about pain reduction due to amitriptyline and demonstrated his improved mobility by bending forwards and sideways while he told the control group only that he was taking amitriptyline. The primary outcome was a reduction in clinical low back pain self-ratings. The secondary outcome was perceptions of pain-related disability. The exploratory outcome was mood and coping statements. Data collection occurred before and after the intervention and 2 weeks later. After the intervention, pain decreased in both groups (F [1, 41] = 7.16, P < 0.05, d = 0.83), with no difference between groups. However, the SoLG showed a significantly larger decrease in perceived disability (F [1, 41] = 5, P < 0.05, d = 0.63). The direct observation of patient with chronic low back pain of positive treatment outcomes in the sham patient seems to have enhanced the treatment effects while indirect verbal reports of reduced pain did not.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Schwartz
- Zentrum für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura-Marie Fischer
- Zentrum für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Corinna Bläute
- Zentrum für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Stork
- Zentrum für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luana Colloca
- University of Maryland School of Nursing & School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Christian Zöllner
- Zentrum für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Regine Klinger
- Zentrum für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Vachon-Presseau E, Abdullah TB, Berger SE, Huang L, Griffith JW, Schnitzer TJ, Apkarian AV. Validating a biosignature-predicting placebo pill response in chronic pain in the settings of a randomized controlled trial. Pain 2022; 163:910-922. [PMID: 34433773 PMCID: PMC8863986 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to validate a placebo pill response predictive model-a biosignature-that classifies chronic pain patients into placebo responders (predicted-PTxResp) and nonresponders (predicted-PTxNonR) and test whether it can dissociate placebo and active treatment responses. The model, based on psychological and brain functional connectivity, was derived in our previous study and blindly applied to current trial participants. Ninety-four chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients were classified into predicted-PTxResp or predicted-PTxNonR and randomized into no treatment, placebo treatment, or naproxen treatment. To monitor analgesia, back pain intensity was collected twice a day: 3 weeks baseline, 6 weeks of treatment, and 3 weeks of washout. Eighty-nine CLBP patients were included in the intent-to-treat analyses and 77 CLBP patients in the per-protocol analyses. Both analyses showed similar results. At the group level, the predictive model performed remarkably well, dissociating the separate effect sizes of pure placebo response and pure active treatment response and demonstrating that these effects interacted additively. Pain relief was about 15% stronger in the predicted-PTxResp compared with the predicted-PTxNonR receiving either placebo or naproxen, and the predicted-PTxNonR successfully isolated the active drug effect. At a single subject level, the biosignature better predicted placebo nonresponders, with poor accuracy. One component of the biosignature (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex-precentral gyrus functional connectivity) could be generalized across 3 placebo studies and in 2 different cohorts-CLBP and osteoarthritis pain patients. This study shows that a biosignature can predict placebo response at a group level in the setting of a randomized controlled trial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Vachon-Presseau
- Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain (AECRP), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Taha B. Abdullah
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Room 1020, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Sara E. Berger
- Healthcare and Life Sciences Department, IBM Watson Research Center, 1101 Kitchawan Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, USA
| | - Lejian Huang
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Room 1020, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - James W. Griffith
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Room 1020, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Thomas J. Schnitzer
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Room 1020, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Room 1020, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - A. Vania Apkarian
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Room 1020, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Room 1020, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 N Lake Shore Drive, Room 1020, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Temporal expectancy induced by the mere possession of a placebo analgesic affects placebo analgesia: preliminary findings from a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1395. [PMID: 35082351 PMCID: PMC8792021 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05537-9] [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: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on placebo analgesia usually shows that people experienced a reduction in pain after using a placebo analgesic. An emerging line of research argues that, under some circumstances, merely possessing (but not using) a placebo analgesic could induce placebo analgesia. The current study investigates how temporary expectation of pain reduction associated with different forms of possessing a placebo analgesic affects pain outcomes. Healthy participants (n = 90) were presented with a vial of olive oil (placebo), described as a blended essential oil that blocks pain sensations upon nasal inhalation, and were asked to anticipate the benefits of such analgesic oil to the self (such as anticipating the analgesic oil to reduce their pain). Participants were randomized into one of three different possession conditions: physical-possession condition (participants possessed a tangible placebo analgesic oil, inducing an expectation to acquire analgesic benefit early upon the experience of pain), psychological-possession condition (participants possessed a coupon, which can be redeemed for a placebo analgesic oil, inducing an expectation to acquire analgesic benefit later upon the experience of pain), or no-possession condition. Participants did a cold pressor test (CPT) to experience experimentally-induced pain on their non-dominant hand. Their objective physical pain responses (pain-threshold and pain-tolerance), and subjective psychological pain perception (pain intensity, severity, quality, and unpleasantness) were measured. Results revealed that participants in the physical-possession condition reported greater pain-threshold, F(2, 85) = 6.65, p = 0.002, and longer pain-tolerance, F(2, 85) = 7.19, p = 0.001 than participants in the psychological-possession and no-possession conditions. No significant group difference was found in subjective pain perception. The results of this study can advance knowledge about pain mechanisms and novel pain management.
Collapse
|
23
|
Tang B, Barnes K, Geers A, Livesey E, Colagiuri B. Choice and the Placebo Effect: A Meta-analysis. Ann Behav Med 2022; 56:977-988. [DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaab111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Choice has been proposed as a method of enhancing placebo effects. However, there have been no attempts to systematically evaluate the magnitude, reliability, and moderators of the influence of choice on the placebo effect.
Purpose
To estimate the effect size of choice on the placebo effect and identify any moderators of this effect.
Methods
Web of Science, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and PubMed were systematically searched from inception to May 2021 for studies comparing placebo treatment with any form of choice over its administration (e.g., type, timing) to placebo treatment without choice, on any health-related outcome. Random-effects meta-analysis was then used to estimate the effect size associated with the influence of choice on the placebo effect. Meta-regression was subsequently employed to determine the moderating effect of factors such as type of choice, frequency of choice, and size of the placebo effect without choice.
Results
Fifteen independent studies (N = 1,506) assessing a range of conditions, including pain, discomfort, sleep difficulty, and anxiety, met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis revealed that choice did significantly enhance the placebo effect (Hedges’ g = 0.298). Size of the placebo effect without choice was the only reliable moderator of this effect, whereby a greater effect of choice was associated with smaller placebo effects without choice.
Conclusions
Treatment choice can effectively facilitate the placebo effect, but this effect appears more pronounced in contexts where the placebo effect without choice is weaker. Because most evidence to date is experimental, translational studies are needed to test whether providing choice in clinical scenarios where placebo effects are weaker may help boost the placebo effect and thereby improve patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Biya Tang
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, A18, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Kirsten Barnes
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, A18, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Andrew Geers
- Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Evan Livesey
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, A18, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ben Colagiuri
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, A18, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bajcar EA, Swędzioł W, Wrześniewski K, Blecharz J, Bąbel P. The Effects of Pain Expectancy and Desire for Pain Relief on the Memory of Pain in Half Trail Marathon Runners. J Pain Res 2022; 15:181-191. [PMID: 35115822 PMCID: PMC8800870 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s336485] [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: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose It has been shown that the memory of pain induced by running might be underestimated. Our previous study showed the contribution of emotional factors to this process. This study aimed to investigate the cognitive factors that might influence the memory of this type of pain, ie expectancy of pain intensity, expectancy of pain unpleasantness, and desire for pain relief. Participants and Methods A total of 49 half-marathon runners rated the intensity and unpleasantness of pain immediately after completing a run and one month later. Participants rated the expected intensity and unpleasantness of the upcoming pain before starting the run, as well as the desire for pain relief after its completion. Those who also participated in the previous edition of the half marathon were asked to recall the pain experienced due to that run. Results Participants underestimated remembered pain intensity and unpleasantness. The desire for pain relief mediated the memory of pain intensity (p < 0.05), while expectancy of pain intensity influenced memory of pain intensity (a × b) through its effect on the experienced pain (bootstrapped point estimate = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.02–0.32). The remembered intensity of pain experienced during the previous half marathon affected the current pain experience directly (p < 0.05) or indirectly (a × b) by generating pain-related expectancy (bootstrapped point estimate = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01–0.46). The cognitive variables did not influence the memory of pain unpleasantness. Conclusion The memory of pain induced by sports activity may change due to cognitive factors; however, further research is needed to investigate their role in shaping the memory of the sensory and affective dimensions of pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elżbieta A Bajcar
- Jagiellonian University, Institute of Psychology, Pain Research Group, Kraków, Poland
- Correspondence: Elżbieta A Bajcar Jagiellonian University, Institute of Psychology, Pain Research Group, ul. Ingardena 6, Kraków, 30-060, PolandTel +48126632431Fax +48126632415 Email
| | - Wojciech Swędzioł
- University of Physical Education in Kraków, Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Jan Blecharz
- University of Physical Education in Krakow, Department of Psychology, Kraków, Poland
| | - Przemysław Bąbel
- Jagiellonian University, Institute of Psychology, Pain Research Group, Kraków, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Camerone EM, Battista S, Benedetti F, Carlino E, Sansone LG, Buzzatti L, Scafoglieri A, Testa M. The Temporal Modulation of Nocebo Hyperalgesia in a Model of Sustained Pain. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:807138. [PMID: 35401252 PMCID: PMC8983965 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.807138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The direction and the magnitude of verbal suggestions have been shown to be strong modulators of nocebo hyperalgesia, while little attention has been given to the role of their temporal content. Here, we investigate whether temporal suggestions modulate the timing of nocebo hyperalgesia in an experimental model of sustained pain. METHODS Fifty-one healthy participants were allocated to one of three groups. Participants received an inert cream and were instructed that the agent had either hyperalgesic properties setting in after 5 (Nocebo 5, N5) or 30 (Nocebo 30, N30) minutes from cream application, or hydrating properties (No Expectation Group, NE). Pain was induced by the Cold Pressure Test (CPT) which was repeated before cream application (baseline) and after 10 (Test10) and 35 (Test35) minutes. Changes in pain tolerance and in HR at each test point in respect to baseline were compared between the three groups. RESULTS Tolerance change at Test 10 (Δ10) was greater in N5 (MED = -36.8; IQR = 20.9) compared to NE (MED = -5.3; IQR = 22.4; p < 0.001) and N30 (MED = 0.0; IQR = 23.1; p < 0.001), showing that hyperalgesia was only present in the group that expected the effect of the cream to set in early. Tolerance change at Test 35 (Δ35) was greater in N5 (MED = -36.3; IQR = 35.3; p = 0.002) and in N30 (MED = -33.3; IQR = 34.8; p = 0.009) compared to NE, indicating delayed onset of hyperalgesia in N30, and sustained hyperalgesia in N5. No group differences were found for HR. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that temporal expectations shift nocebo response onset in a model of sustained pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Maria Camerone
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Experimental Anatomy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Simone Battista
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Benedetti
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin Medical School, Turin, Italy.,Plateau Rosà Laboratories, Plateau Rosà, Switzerland
| | - Elisa Carlino
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin Medical School, Turin, Italy
| | - Lucia Grazia Sansone
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Buzzatti
- Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Experimental Anatomy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.,School of Allied Health, Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Aldo Scafoglieri
- Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Experimental Anatomy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marco Testa
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Experimental Anatomy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
A placebo is an inert substance normally used in clinical trials for comparison with an active substance. However, a placebo has been shown to have an effect on its own; commonly known as the placebo effect. A placebo is an essential component in the design of conclusive clinical trials but has itself become the focus of intense research. The placebo effect is partly the result of positive expectations of the recipient on the state of health. Conversely, a nocebo effect is when negative expectations from a substance lead to poor treatment outcomes and/or adverse events. Randomized controlled trials in functional urology have demonstrated the importance of the placebo and nocebo effects across different diseases such as overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, lower urinary tract symptoms and interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, as well as male and female sexual dysfunction. Understanding the true nature of the placebo-nocebo complex and the scope of its effect in functional urology could help urologists to maximize the positive effects of this phenomenon while minimizing its potentially negative effects.
Collapse
|
27
|
Vecchio A, De Pascalis V. ERP Indicators of Self-Pain and Other Pain Reductions due to Placebo Analgesia Responding: The Moderating Role of the Fight-Flight-Freeze System. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11091192. [PMID: 34573212 PMCID: PMC8467887 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11091192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluates the modulation of phasic pain and empathy for pain induced by placebo analgesia during pain and empathy for pain tasks. Because pain can be conceptualized as a dangerous stimulus that generates avoidance, we evaluated how approach and avoidance personality traits modulate pain and empathy for pain responses. We induced placebo analgesia to test whether this also reduces self-pain and other pain. Amplitude measures of the N1, P2, and P3 ERPs components, elicited by electric stimulations, were obtained during a painful control, as well as during a placebo treatment expected to induce placebo analgesia. The placebo treatment produced a reduction in pain and unpleasantness perceived, whereas we observed a decrease in the empathy unpleasantness alone during the empathy pain condition. The moderator effects of the fight-flight-freeze system (FFFS) in the relationships linking P2 and P3 amplitude changes with pain reduction were both significant among low to moderate FFFS values. These observations are consistent with the idea that lower FFFS (active avoidance) scores can predict placebo-induced pain reduction. Finally, in line with the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (r-RST), we can assume that phasic pain is an aversive stimulus activating the active-avoidance behavior to bring the system back to homeostasis.
Collapse
|
28
|
Shaw A. 'A tool to help me through the darkness': suffering and healing among teacher-practitioners of Ashtanga yoga. Anthropol Med 2021; 28:320-340. [PMID: 34293979 DOI: 10.1080/13648470.2021.1949942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Yoga is widely regarded as beneficial for physical and emotional health, and as a safe ancillary intervention for managing a range of psychological conditions. Evidence of injury, harm, and abuse in yoga traditions is difficult to square with this emphasis on healing. Drawing mainly from on online memoirs by long-term practitioners of Ashtanga yoga, this paper examines the relationship between suffering and healing in yoga, showing how long-term abuse can be perpetuated and injury sustained in a system widely understood and labelled by its practitioners as therapeutic. The paper argues that elements of healing and harm are present in the rituals of practice, the concepts that support it, and the power structure of the Ashtanga system. The system's organizational dynamics together with a therapeutic discourse that links suffering to its transcendence enabled the same kinds of abuse and trauma that Ashtanga yoga is purported to heal. The analysis raises questions about the overarching narrative of yoga as safe and healthy, and about the connections between healing and harm within therapeutic traditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alison Shaw
- Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Mindfulness-Based Analgesia or Placebo Effect? The Development and Evaluation of a Sham Mindfulness Intervention for Acute Experimental Pain. Psychosom Med 2021; 83:557-565. [PMID: 33165219 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Meta-analyses indicate that mindfulness meditation is efficacious for chronic and acute pain, but most available studies lack active control comparisons. This raises the possibility that placebo-related processes may account, at least in part, for mindfulness effects. The objective of this study was to develop a closely matched sham mindfulness condition to establish whether placebo effects contribute to mindfulness-based interventions for pain. METHODS We developed and validated a closely matched sham mindfulness intervention then compared it with 6 × 20-minute sessions of focused-attention mindfulness and a no-treatment condition in 93 healthy volunteers undergoing acute experimental heat pain. RESULTS The sham mindfulness intervention produced equivalent credibility ratings and expectations of improvement as the mindfulness intervention but did not influence mindfulness-related processes. In contrast, mindfulness increased "observing" relative to no treatment but not sham. Mindfulness (F(1,88) = 7.06, p = .009, ηp2 = 0.07) and sham (F(1,88) = 6.47, p = .012, ηp2 = 0.07) moderately increased pain tolerance relative to no treatment, with no difference between mindfulness and sham (F(1,88) = 0.01, p = .92, ηp2 < 0.001). No differences were found for pain threshold. Similarly, neither mindfulness nor sham reduced pain intensity or unpleasantness relative to no treatment, although mindfulness reduced pain unpleasantness relative to sham (F(1,88) = 5.03, p = .027, ηp2 = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that placebo effects contribute to changes in pain tolerance after mindfulness training, with limited evidence of specific effects of mindfulness training on pain unpleasantness relative to sham, but not no treatment. To disentangle the specific analgesic effects of mindfulness from placebo-related processes, future research should prioritize developing and incorporating closely matched sham conditions.Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618001175268).
Collapse
|
30
|
The Influence of Verbal Suggestion on Post-Needling Soreness and Pain Processing after Dry Needling Treatment: An Experimental Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18084206. [PMID: 33921101 PMCID: PMC8071378 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18084206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It remains unclear as to whether verbal suggestions and expectancies can influence the perception of post-needling soreness. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of verbal suggestions on post-needling soreness after dry needling of the trapezius muscle. METHODS This study is a randomized controlled trial including healthy subjects randomly assigned to one of three groups receiving different verbal suggestions about the effects of dry needling and the occurrence of post needling soreness (positive, negative, or neutral). Then, dry needling on a latent trigger point of the upper trapezius muscle was performed and the following outcomes were measured immediately after, 24, 48, and 72 h, and one week after the intervention: post-needling soreness intensity, pressure pain threshold (PPT), temporal summation (TS) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM). RESULTS Seventy-three consecutive participants were screened and 42 participants (12 men and 30 women, aged: 24 ± 8 years old) were eligible and finished the study protocol. The results showed that verbal suggestion did not influence the perception of post-needling soreness, since there were no differences between groups (p < 0.05) on the intensity of post-needling soreness or tenderness over a one-week follow-up. Moreover, verbal suggestion did not associate with changes in sensorimotor variables of TS and CPM. CONCLUSIONS The induction of different types of expectations through verbal suggestion does not influence the perception of acute pain perceived during the performance of a deep dry needling technique and post-needling pain or soreness after deep dry needling on a latent upper trapezius myofascial trigger point (MTrP).
Collapse
|
31
|
Stalujanis E, Neufeld J, Glaus Stalder M, Belardi A, Tegethoff M, Meinlschmidt G. Induction of Efficacy Expectancies in an Ambulatory Smartphone-Based Digital Placebo Mental Health Intervention: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2021; 9:e20329. [PMID: 33594991 PMCID: PMC7929742 DOI: 10.2196/20329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is certain evidence on the efficacy of smartphone-based mental health interventions. However, the mechanisms of action remain unclear. Placebo effects contribute to the efficacy of face-to-face mental health interventions and may also be a potential mechanism of action in smartphone-based interventions. Objective This study aimed to investigate whether different types of efficacy expectancies as potential factors underlying placebo effects could be successfully induced in a smartphone-based digital placebo mental health intervention, ostensibly targeting mood and stress. Methods We conducted a randomized, controlled, single-blinded, superiority trial with a multi-arm parallel design. Participants underwent an Android smartphone-based digital placebo mental health intervention for 20 days. We induced prospective efficacy expectancies via initial instructions on the purpose of the intervention and retrospective efficacy expectancies via feedback on the success of the intervention at days 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13. A total of 132 healthy participants were randomized to a prospective expectancy–only condition (n=33), a retrospective expectancy–only condition (n=33), a combined expectancy condition (n=34), or a control condition (n=32). As the endpoint, we assessed changes in efficacy expectancies with the Credibility Expectancy Questionnaire, before the intervention and on days 1, 7, 14, and 20. For statistical analyses, we used a random effects model for the intention-to-treat sample, with intervention day as time variable and condition as two factors: prospective expectancy (yes vs no) and retrospective expectancy (yes vs no), allowed to vary over participant and intervention day. Results Credibility (β=−1.63; 95% CI −2.37 to −0.89; P<.001) and expectancy (β=−0.77; 95% CI −1.49 to −0.05; P=.04) decreased across the intervention days. For credibility and expectancy, we found significant three-way interactions: intervention day×prospective expectancy×retrospective expectancy (credibility: β=2.05; 95% CI 0.60-3.50; P=.006; expectancy: β=1.55; 95% CI 0.14-2.95; P=.03), suggesting that efficacy expectancies decreased least in the combined expectancy condition and the control condition. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first empirical study investigating whether efficacy expectancies can be successfully induced in a specifically designed placebo smartphone-based mental health intervention. Our findings may pave the way to diminish or exploit digital placebo effects and help to improve the efficacy of digital mental health interventions. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02365220; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02365220.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esther Stalujanis
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, International Psychoanalytic University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joel Neufeld
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martina Glaus Stalder
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Angelo Belardi
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marion Tegethoff
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Institute of Psychology, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Gunther Meinlschmidt
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, International Psychoanalytic University Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Camerone EM, Piedimonte A, Testa M, Wiech K, Vase L, Zamfira DA, Benedetti F, Carlino E. The Effect of Temporal Information on Placebo Analgesia and Nocebo Hyperalgesia. Psychosom Med 2021; 83:43-50. [PMID: 33109926 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Expectations are known to be key determinants of placebo and nocebo phenomena. In previous studies, verbal suggestions to induce such expectations have mainly focused on the direction and magnitude of the effect, whereas little is known about the influence of temporal information. METHODS Using an experimental placebo and nocebo design, we investigated whether information about the expected onset of a treatment effect modulates the start and time course of analgesic and hyperalgesic responses. Healthy volunteers (n = 166) in three placebo and three nocebo groups were informed that the application of an (inert) cream would reduce (placebo groups) or amplify pain (nocebo groups) after 5, 15, or 30 minutes. Two control groups were also included (natural history and no expectations). Participants' pain intensity rating of electrical stimuli administered before and 10, 20, and 35 minutes after cream application was obtained. RESULTS Mixed-method analysis of variance showed a significant interaction between group and time (F(12,262) = 18.172, p < .001, pη2 = 0.454), suggesting that pain variations differed across time points and between groups. Post hoc comparisons revealed that the placebo and nocebo groups began to show a significantly larger change in perceived pain intensity than the no-expectancy control group at the expected time point (p < .05) but not earlier (p > .05). Once triggered, the analgesic effect remained constant over the course of the experiment, whereas the hyperalgesic effect increased over time. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that temporal suggestions can shape expectancy-related treatment effects, which, if used systematically, could open up new ways to optimize treatment outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Maria Camerone
- From the Department of Neuroscience (Camerone, Piedimonte, Zamfira, Benedetti, Carlino), University of Turin Medical School, Turin; Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Science (DINOGMI) (Camerone, Testa), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (Wiech), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, School of Business and Social Sciences (Vase), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; and Plateau Rosà Laboratories (Benedetti), Plateau Rosà, Italy/Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Shen Z, Xu Q, Jin L. Structured procedures promote placebo effects. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2020.104029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
35
|
Yeung VWL, Geers AL. Prior Pain Exposure and Mere Possession of a Placebo Analgesic Predict Placebo Analgesia: Findings From a Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Trial. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2020; 22:415-431. [PMID: 33127585 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A recent study found that merely possessing a placebo analgesic reduces pain. The current study tested for a possible moderator of this effect. Specifically, does the mere possession of a placebo analgesic affect pain for individuals with and without immediate prior experience with the pain task? Healthy participants (N = 127) were randomized to prior pain (PP) condition or without prior pain (No-PP) condition. In the PP condition, participants first did a preliminary trial of a cold pressor test (CPT) to induce direct experience with this pain stimulus. Then they were randomized to possess an inert cream described as either an analgesic cream or an anti-itch cream (pain-irrelevant control object). Participants then completed the main CPT. In the No-PP condition, participants underwent identical procedures and randomization except that they did not do a preliminary CPT, thus having no immediate prior CPT pain experience. We found a significant prior pain experience and possession status interaction effect on placebo analgesia. Participants in the No-PP condition showed evidence of lower pain when they merely possessed an analgesic cream than an anti-itch cream. Such mere possession effect was not found in the PP condition. The impact of expectancy and emotion on the underlying process are discussed. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents a novel finding that prior pain exposure and mere possession of a placebo analgesic predicted placebo analgesia. It offers a novel perspective on the time course of placebo effect. It provides practical implications on potential pain intervention for clinicians and paradigm design for researchers of placebo study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew L Geers
- Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
|
37
|
Testing a positive-affect induction to reduce verbally induced nocebo hyperalgesia in an experimental pain paradigm. Pain 2020; 160:2290-2297. [PMID: 31107412 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
There is an ethical obligation to notify individuals about potential pain associated with diagnoses, treatments, and procedures; however, supplying this information risks inducing nocebo hyperalgesia. Currently, there are few empirically derived strategies for reducing nocebo hyperalgesia. Because nocebo effects are linked to negative affectivity, we tested the hypothesis that a positive-affect induction can disrupt nocebo hyperalgesia from verbal suggestion. Healthy volunteers (N = 147) were randomly assigned to conditions in a 2 (affect induction: positive vs neutral) by 2 (verbal suggestion: no suggestion vs suggestion of pain increase) between-subjects design. Participants were induced to experience positive or neutral affect by watching movie clips for 15 minutes. Next, participants had an inert cream applied to their nondominant hand, and suggestion was manipulated by telling only half the participants the cream could increase the pain of the upcoming cold pressor test. Subsequently, all participants underwent the cold pressor test (8 ± 0.04°C), wherein they submerged the nondominant hand and rated pain intensity on numerical rating scales every 20 seconds up to 2 minutes. In the neutral-affect conditions, there was evidence for the nocebo hyperalgesia effect: participants given the suggestion of pain displayed greater pain than participants not receiving this suggestion, P's < 0.05. Demonstrating a blockage effect, nocebo hyperalgesia did not occur in the positive-affect conditions, P's > 0.5. This is the first study to show that positive affect may disrupt nocebo hyperalgesia thereby pointing to a novel strategy for decreasing nocebo effects without compromising the communication of medical information to patients in clinical settings.
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
In the past few decades, research on pain and placebo analgesia has gained importance both scientifically and clinically. In this article, the current findings and focus of research as well as the significance of placebo research for assessing the effectiveness of pain medication are illustrated. The underlying mechanisms of placebo analgesia not only have implications for theoretical models but also offer clinically relevant guidelines for everyday interventions in pain treatment. However, many placebo phenomena are not fully understood and have to be investigated further in order to exploit the full potential of placebo effects. Interindividual differences and their inclusion in treatment will play a major role in this aspect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Klinger
- Zentrum für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland.
| | - M Schwartz
- Zentrum für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - U Bingel
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, Deutschland
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Rossettini G, Camerone EM, Carlino E, Benedetti F, Testa M. Context matters: the psychoneurobiological determinants of placebo, nocebo and context-related effects in physiotherapy. Arch Physiother 2020; 10:11. [PMID: 32537245 PMCID: PMC7288522 DOI: 10.1186/s40945-020-00082-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Placebo and nocebo effects embody psychoneurobiological phenomena where behavioural, neurophysiological, perceptive and cognitive changes occur during the therapeutic encounter in the healthcare context. Placebo effects are produced by a positive healthcare context; while nocebo effects are consequences of negative healthcare context. Historically, placebo, nocebo and context-related effects were considered as confounding elements for clinicians and researchers. In the last two decades this attitude started to change, and the understanding of the value of these effects has increased. Despite the growing interest, the knowledge and the awareness of using the healthcare context to trigger placebo and nocebo effects is currently limited and heterogeneous among physiotherapists, reducing their translational value in the physiotherapy field. Objectives To introduce the placebo, nocebo and context-related effects by: (1) presenting their psychological models; (2) describing their neurophysiological mechanisms; (3) underlining their impact for the physiotherapy profession; and (4) tracing lines for future researches. Conclusion Several psychological mechanisms are involved in placebo, nocebo and context-related effects; including expectation, learning processes (classical conditioning and observational learning), reinforced expectations, mindset and personality traits. The neurophysiological mechanisms mainly include the endogenous opioid, the endocannabinoid and the dopaminergic systems. Neuroimaging studies have identified different brain regions involved such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the rostral anterior cingulate cortex, the periaqueductal gray and the dorsal horn of spine. From a clinical perspective, the manipulation of the healthcare context with the best evidence-based therapy represents an opportunity to trigger placebo effects and to avoid nocebo effects respecting the ethical code of conduct. From a managerial perspective, stakeholders, organizations and governments should encourage the assessment of the healthcare context aimed to improve the quality of physiotherapy services. From an educational perspective, placebo and nocebo effects are professional topics that should be integrated in the university program of health and medical professions. From a research perspective, the control of placebo, nocebo and context-related effects offers to the scientific community the chance to better measure the impact of physiotherapy on different outcomes and in different conditions through primary studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Rossettini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophtalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Campus Universitario di Savona, via Magliotto 2, 17100 Savona, Italy
| | - Eleonora Maria Camerone
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophtalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Campus Universitario di Savona, via Magliotto 2, 17100 Savona, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin Medical School, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisa Carlino
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin Medical School, Turin, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Benedetti
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin Medical School, Turin, Italy.,Plateau Rosà Laboratories, Plateau Rosà Laboratories, Zermatt, Switzerland
| | - Marco Testa
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophtalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Campus Universitario di Savona, via Magliotto 2, 17100 Savona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Abstract
Placebo effects influence symptom perceptions and treatment outcomes. Placebo effects can be explored in laboratory settings controlling for natural history and expectations. Such a mechanistic approach to neurological disorders has been implemented in the domain of chronic clinical pain and other neurological disorders. This article therefore focuses on definitions and historical notes related to placebo effects and mechanisms of placebo effects in chronic pain. Knowledge on mechanisms of placebo effects could inform current clinical practice for the treatment of neurological disorders by focusing on patients (and providers) expectations for outcome optimization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luana Colloca
- Department of Pain Translational Symptoms Science, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States; Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States; Departments of Anesthesiology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Local Anesthetic Injection Resolves Movement Pain, Motor Dysfunction, and Pain Catastrophizing in Individuals With Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020; 50:334-343. [PMID: 32349638 PMCID: PMC10016231 DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2020.9242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Peripherally directed treatments (targeted exercise, surgery) can reduce, but not fully eliminate, pain for up to 40% of patients with Achilles tendinopathy. The objectives of the present study were (1) to identify indicators of altered central processing in participants with Achilles tendinopathy compared to controls, and (2) to determine which indicators of altered central processing would persist after a local anesthetic injection in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. DESIGN Mechanistic clinical trial. METHODS Forty-six adults (23 with chronic Achilles tendinopathy, 23 matched controls) repeated (1) a movement-evoked pain rating, (2) motor performance assessment, (3) pain psychology questionnaires, and (4) quantitative sensory testing. Participants with Achilles tendinopathy received a local anesthetic injection before repeat testing and controls did not. Mixed-effects analyses of variance examined the effects of group, time, and group by time. RESULTS The Achilles tendinopathy group had movement-evoked pain, motor dysfunction, and higher pain psychological factors (pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia) compared to controls (P<.05). The Achilles tendinopathy group did not have indicators of nociplastic pain with quantitative sensory testing (P>.05). In those with Achilles tendinopathy, local anesthetic injection eliminated pain and normalized the observed deficits in heel-raise performance and pain catastrophizing (group-by-time effect, P<.01), but not in kinesiophobia (P = .45). Injection did not affect measures of nociplastic pain (P>.05). CONCLUSION People with Achilles tendinopathy had elevated pain psychological factors and motor dysfunction but no signs of nociplastic pain with quantitative sensory testing. Removal of nociceptive input normalized movement-evoked pain and some indicators of altered central processing (motor dysfunction, pain catastrophizing), but not kinesiophobia. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(6):334-343. Epub 29 Apr 2020. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.9242.
Collapse
|
42
|
Influence of placebo analgesia in pharmacological treatment of pain. FUTURE DRUG DISCOVERY 2020. [DOI: 10.4155/fdd-2019-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Placebo effects are relevant to routine clinical practice, even if no traditional placebo is given. The healthcare encounter is often rich in factors that may affect both placebo and nocebo components of care, therefore, an opportunity exists to target elements of this encounter to enhance clinical effectiveness. This review will outline the contemporary conceptualizations of placebo and the mechanisms of placebo effects. Specifically, how to harness these placebo effects in clinical practice. Currently, these include optimizing the therapeutic context, shaping of expectations, assessing belief structures and framing information delivery, utilization of conditioning regimes to augment drug response or reduce overall drug dosing and the potential integration of traditional placebos with scientifically proven treatments to augment care.
Collapse
|
43
|
Goo SJ, Frangos E, Richards EA, Ceko M, Justement BL, Korb P, Walitt BT, Colloca L, Bushnell MC. Attitudes and Perceptions Toward Authorized Deception: A Pilot Comparison of Healthy Controls and Fibromyalgia Patients. PAIN MEDICINE 2020; 21:794-802. [PMID: 31009537 PMCID: PMC7139203 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnz081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective Little is known about the perceptions and attitudes of participants who volunteer in studies involving authorized deception. Thus, this cross-sectional pilot study measured, for the first time, the perceptions about participation in an authorized-deception placebo analgesia study in chronic pain patients with fibromyalgia and assessed whether their perceptions differed from healthy controls. Methods An anonymous survey with questions about trust in research and willingness to participate in future research involving deception was mailed to participants in both groups after completion of the parent study. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests (31 controls and 16 fibromyalgia patients were included in the analyses). Results The majority of participants expressed little or no concern about the deception, still trusted the scientific process, and found the debriefing procedure helpful and worthwhile. Group differences were found in willingness to 1) participate in the parent study had the deceptive element been disclosed in advance (controls = definitely, fibromyalgia patients = probably, U = 341.5, P = 0.01) and 2) participate in future studies (controls = definitely, fibromyalgia patients = probably, U = 373, P < 0.001). Conclusions Despite slightly less favorable responses of fibromyalgia patients and the relatively small size of the study, these findings suggest that attitudes and perceptions about participating in an authorized placebo study remain positive in both healthy and chronic pain populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eleni Frangos
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
| | | | - Marta Ceko
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
| | | | | | - Brian T Walitt
- National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Luana Colloca
- Department of Pain Translational Symptom Science, School of Nursing, and Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
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.)
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Yeung V, Sharpe L, Geers A, Colagiuri B. Choice, Expectations, and the Placebo Effect for Sleep Difficulty. Ann Behav Med 2020; 54:94-107. [PMID: 31504091 DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaz030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Choice has been found to facilitate placebo effects for single-session treatments where standard placebo treatment without choice failed to elicit a placebo effect. However, it is unknown whether choice can enhance the placebo effect for treatments occurring over a period of days and where placebo effects are readily established without choice. PURPOSE We tested whether single or daily choice between two (placebo) treatments enhanced the placebo effect for sleep difficulty relative to no choice and no treatment over a 1 week period. METHODS One-hundred and seventeen volunteers self-identifying with sleep difficulty were recruited under the guise of a hypnotic trial and randomized to one of the four groups. Self-reported outcomes included insomnia severity, fatigue, total sleep time (TST), sleep onset latency (SOL), perceived sleep quality (PSQ), and treatment satisfaction. Objective TST and SOL were assessed in a subsample via actigraphy. RESULTS Overall, placebo treatment significantly improved insomnia severity, fatigue, and PSQ, confirming a placebo effect on these outcomes. However, both traditional and Bayesian analysis indicated no benefit of choice on the placebo effect on any sleep outcome. Mediation analysis of the overall placebo effect indicated that expectancy completely mediated the placebo effects for insomnia severity and PSQ and partially mediated the placebo effect for fatigue. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that choice does not enhance the placebo effect over longer treatment periods (up to 7 days) when placebo effects are readily established without choice. As such, any benefit of choice on placebo effects may be confined to quite specific circumstances. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION ACTRN12618001199202.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Yeung
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Louise Sharpe
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew Geers
- Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Ben Colagiuri
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Bishop MD, Bialosky JE, Alappattu MJ. Riding a Tiger: Maximizing Effects of Manual Therapies for Pelvic Pain. JOURNAL OF WOMEN'S HEALTH PHYSICAL THERAPY 2020; 44:32-38. [PMID: 34163308 PMCID: PMC8218714 DOI: 10.1097/jwh.0000000000000156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Manual therapy interventions are frequently used during the management of pelvic pain conditions. Pain relief after any intervention results from effects unrelated to the intervention, effects specific to the intervention, and effects of context in which the intervention is provided. Understanding these multiple mechanisms allows providers of manual therapy to maximize outcomes by deliberately harnessing each of these core elements of pain relief.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark D. Bishop
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville
- Center for Pain Research and Behavioral Health, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Joel E. Bialosky
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville
- Center for Pain Research and Behavioral Health, University of Florida, Gainesville
- Brooks-PHHP Research Collaboration, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Meryl J. Alappattu
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville
- Center for Pain Research and Behavioral Health, University of Florida, Gainesville
- Brooks-PHHP Research Collaboration, Jacksonville, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Wang Y, Tricou C, Raghuraman N, Akintola T, Haycock NR, Blasini M, Phillips J, Zhu S, Colloca L. Modeling Learning Patterns to Predict Placebo Analgesic Effects in Healthy and Chronic Orofacial Pain Participants. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:39. [PMID: 32116854 PMCID: PMC7029355 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Successfully predicting the susceptibility of individuals to placebo analgesics will aid in developing more effective pain medication and therapies, as well as aiding potential future clinical use of placebos. In pursuit of this goal, we analyzed healthy and chronic pain patients' patterns of responsiveness during conditioning rounds and their links to conditioned placebo analgesia and the mediating effect of expectation on those responses. We recruited 579 participants (380 healthy, 199 with temporomandibular disorder [TMD]) to participate in a laboratory placebo experiment. Individual pain sensitivity dictated the temperatures used for high- and low-pain stimuli, paired with red or green screens, respectively, and participants were told there would be an analgesic intervention paired with the green screens. Over two conditioning sessions and one testing session, participants rated the painfulness of each stimulus on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 100. During the testing phase, the same temperature was used for both red and green screens to assess responses to the placebo effect, which was defined as the difference between the average of the high-pain-cue stimuli and low-pain-cue stimuli. Delta scores, defined as each low-pain rating subtracted from its corresponding high-pain rating, served as a means of modeling patterns of conditioning strength and placebo responsiveness. Latent class analysis (LCA) was then conducted to classify the participants based on the trajectories of the delta values during the conditioning rounds. Classes characterized by persistently greater or increasing delta scores during conditioning displayed greater placebo analgesia during testing than those with persistently lower or decreasing delta scores. Furthermore, the identified groups' expectation of pain relief acted as a mediator for individual placebo analgesic effects. This study is the first to use LCA to discern the relationship between patterns of learning and the resultant placebo analgesia in chronic pain patients. In clinical settings, this knowledge can be used to enhance clinical pain outcomes, as chronic pain patients with greater prior experiences of pain reduction may benefit more from placebo analgesia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Christina Tricou
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nandini Raghuraman
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Titilola Akintola
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nathaniel R Haycock
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Maxie Blasini
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jane Phillips
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shijun Zhu
- Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Luana Colloca
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Departments of Anesthesiology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Colloca L, Akintola T, Haycock NR, Blasini M, Thomas S, Phillips J, Corsi N, Schenk LA, Wang Y. Prior Therapeutic Experiences, Not Expectation Ratings, Predict Placebo Effects: An Experimental Study in Chronic Pain and Healthy Participants. PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOSOMATICS 2020; 89:371-378. [PMID: 32492688 PMCID: PMC7581546 DOI: 10.1159/000507400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many clinical trials fail because of placebo responses. Prior therapeutic experiences and patients' expectations may affect the capacity to respond to placebos in chronic disorders. OBJECTIVE The scope of this study in 763 chronic orofacial pain and healthy study participants was to compare the magnitude and prevalence of placebo effects and determine the putative role of prior therapeutic experiences vs. expectations. METHODS We tested placebo propensity in a laboratory setting by using 2 distinct levels of individually tailored painful stimulations (high pain and low pain) to reinforce expectations and provide a hypoalgesic experience (conditioning phase). Afterwards, both levels of pain were surreptitiously set at a moderate pain level to test for placebo effects (testing phase). Pain and expectation ratings were assessed as primary outcomes using visual analog scales. RESULTS In both chronic pain and healthy participants, placebo effects were similar in magnitude, with the larger prevalence of responders in the healthy participants. Although chronic pain participants reported higher pain relief expectations, expectations did not account for the occurrence of placebo effects. Rather, prior experience via conditioning strength mediated placebo effects in both pain and healthy participants. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that participants with chronic pain conditions display robust placebo effects that are not mediated by expectations but are instead directly linked to prior therapeutic experiences. This confirms the importance of assessing the therapeutic history while raising questions about the utility of expectation ratings. Future research is needed to enhance prediction of responses to placebos, which will ultimately improve clinical trial designs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luana Colloca
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, .,Departments of Anesthesiology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, .,Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,
| | - Titilola Akintola
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, US,Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, US
| | - Nathaniel R Haycock
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, US
| | - Maxie Blasini
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, US
| | - Sharon Thomas
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, US
| | - Jane Phillips
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, US
| | - Nicole Corsi
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, US
| | - Lieven A. Schenk
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, US,Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, US
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, US,Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, US
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Patient-defined outcomes for pain, fatigue, emotional distress, and interference with activities did not differ by age for individuals with musculoskeletal pain. Pain Rep 2019; 4:e798. [PMID: 31984302 PMCID: PMC6903348 DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000000798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Age impacts the prevalence and experience of musculoskeletal pain; however, it is unknown whether this factor impacts patient's anticipated outcomes after treatment. Objective: Using the Patient-Centered Outcomes Questionnaire (PCOQ), the primary purpose was to determine whether there are age-related differences in desired, successful, expected levels, and importance of improvement in pain, fatigue, emotional distress, and interference with daily activities. As a secondary purpose, anatomical location and sex were then included in the model to examine for interaction effects. Methods: A secondary analysis of the Optimal Screening for Prediction of Referral and Outcome cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts was conducted. Included in this analysis were 572 individuals seeking physical therapy for nonsurgical neck, low back, shoulder, and knee pain who completed the PCOQ at the initial evaluation. A three-way analysis of variance examined PCOQ domains by age categories, sex, and anatomical location. Results: Interaction effects were not observed for any of the domains of interest (P > 0.01). Significant main effects were also not observed for age, sex, and anatomical location (P > 0.01). Conclusion: Musculoskeletal pain prevalence may differ across age categories but, in this cohort, neither age, nor sex, nor anatomical location impacted patient-defined outcomes for intensity, fatigue, emotional distress, and interference with daily activities.
Collapse
|
50
|
|