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Răducan-Florea IV, Leaşu FG, Dinu EA, Rogozea LM. The Nocebo Effect: A Bias in Clinical Practice-An Ethical Approach. Am J Ther 2024; 31:e541-e549. [PMID: 38557480 DOI: 10.1097/mjt.0000000000001730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nocebo effect is often disregarded in medical practice and is certainly much less known than the placebo effect, although, in reality, both can influence therapeutic decision making and the quality of life of patients. However, the nocebo effect raises a number of issues not only of a practical nature related to clinical activity but also ethical dilemmas related to the observance of the patient's autonomy, nonmaleficence, or informed consent and the information on which it is based. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY The ethical dilemmas raised by the nocebo effect revolve around how informed consent can be achieved, the accuracy and volume of information that is transmitted to the patient, and how to report negative side effects of therapeutic treatment. DATA SOURCES In September 2023, a narrative analysis of the literature was conducted using a combination of keywords such as nocebo, placebo, ethics, therapeutic relationship from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and so on, as well as from official documents developed at an international level (World Health Organization), for a period of 10 years (2012-2021). RESULTS Analyzing the articles that remarked upon the significant impact of ethics in nocebo research or in the therapeutic relationship, we can state that the existence of several relevant issues of interest have been detected regarding the ethical use of nocebo and its impact in research or in clinics and thus the need for proper knowledge and management of the impact of nocebo effects. The ethical paradox of obtaining informed consent with the 2 goals, first, the need for complete information and second, the preservation of the autonomy of the patient, respectively, that of "primum non-nocere" and of avoiding unnecessary harm by revealing probable adverse effects is a point of interest for numerous studies. The potential for a nocebo effect is present when we inform patients about the risks and benefits of treatment, there being a clear link between the moral and ethical duty to inform patients and the need to avoid situations that increase the nocebo impact on how the disease or the adverse effects of the treatment are perceived. Adapting information about the side effects of medicines should focus on ensuring a balance between transparency and caution, especially in patients with a high potential for nocebo effect. CONCLUSIONS The nocebo effect had for a long time been unknown or denied, although it can interfere with the results of the treatment used. As the nocebo phenomenon becomes increasingly known in medical practice, the clinical and ethical implications are identified by medical staff, and nocebo's adverse responses are no longer ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Florin G Leaşu
- Basic, Preventive and Clinical Sciences Department, Transilvania University, Brasov, Romania
| | - Eleonora A Dinu
- Basic, Preventive and Clinical Sciences Department, Transilvania University, Brasov, Romania
| | - Liliana M Rogozea
- Basic, Preventive and Clinical Sciences Department, Transilvania University, Brasov, Romania
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Reneman MF, Coenen P, Kuijer PPFM, van Dieën JH, Holtermann A, Igwesi-Chidobe CN, Parker R, Reezigt R, Stochkendahl MJ, Hoegh M. Tensions of Low-Back Pain and Lifting; Bridging Clinical Low-Back Pain and Occupational Lifting Guidelines. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2024; 34:473-480. [PMID: 38842652 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-024-10210-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Michiel F Reneman
- Department of Rehabilitation / Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Pieter Coenen
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Societal Participation and Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Musculoskeletal Health, Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P Paul F M Kuijer
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases, People and Work Outpatient Clinic, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap H van Dieën
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Holtermann
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Chinonso Nwamaka Igwesi-Chidobe
- School of Allied Health Professions and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
- Global Population Health (GPH) Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Romy Parker
- Pain Unit, Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Roland Reezigt
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences-Program Musculoskeletal Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Physiotherapy, Academy of Health, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mette J Stochkendahl
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Chiropractic Knowledge Hub, Odense, Denmark
| | - Morten Hoegh
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Riestra Guiance I, Wallace L, Varga K, Niven A, Hosey M, Chitulangoma J, Philbrick K, Gajic O, Weiman M, Schmitt E, Pasko D, Karnatovskaia L. Communication in the ICU: An Unintended Nocebo Effect? J Patient Exp 2024; 11:23743735241272148. [PMID: 39130130 PMCID: PMC11311157 DOI: 10.1177/23743735241272148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
To identify medical phrases utilized by the critical care team that may have an unintended impact on the critically ill patient, we administered an anonymous survey to multi-professional critical care team members. We elicited examples of imprecise language that may have a negative emotional impact on the critically ill. Of the 1600 providers surveyed, 265 offered 1379 examples (912 unique) which were clustered into 5 categories. Medical jargon (eg, "riding the vent") was most prevalent (n = 549). There were 217 negative suggestions (eg, "you will feel a stick and a burn"). Hyperboles (eg, "black cloud") were common (n = 198) while homonyms (ie "he fibbed") accounted for 150 examples. Phrases such as "code brown in there" were categorized as metonyms (n = 144). 121 metaphors/similes (eg, "rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic") were provided. Phrases that have the potential to negatively impact critically ill patient perceptions are commonplace in critical care practice. Whether these everyday communication habits lead to an unintended nocebo effect on mental health outcomes of the critically ill deserves further study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsey Wallace
- Department of Critical Care Multidisciplinary Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Katalin Varga
- Department of Affective Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Alexander Niven
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Megan Hosey
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jillene Chitulangoma
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Kemuel Philbrick
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ognjen Gajic
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Emily Schmitt
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - David Pasko
- Department of Respiratory Care, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Saxena I, Kumar M, Srivastava N, Srivastava S, Sen A, Arvind A, Kaur AP. The Experimental Pain Experienced in a Cold Pressor Task Is Influenced by Hemoglobin Levels in Young Adult Females. Cureus 2024; 16:e65518. [PMID: 39188461 PMCID: PMC11346503 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.65518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The intensity of pain perceived for the same noxious stimulus is different in different persons, depending on the biological, psychological, and social factors related to the individual. In clinical practice, it is important to know the factors influencing pain perception. The presence of anemia may affect pain perception. METHODS This study was conducted on 73 female subjects of whom 25 were non-anemic, 24 had mild, and 24 had moderate anemia. Experimental pain was produced by cold pressor task (CPT). Pain response was evaluated in terms of cardiovascular reactivity (CVR - changes in blood pressure and heart rate), and pain sensitivity (PS - pain threshold, pain tolerance, and pain rating). RESULTS Anemic subjects showed higher CVR to stress. The average increase in systolic blood pressure was 5.28 mm of Hg in non-anemic, compared to 3.25 in mildly anemic and 9.00 mm of Hg in moderately anemic subjects. The average increase in diastolic blood pressure was 2.24 mm of Hg in non-anemic, 2.5 in mildly anemic, and 4.83 mm of Hg in moderately anemic subjects. The average increase in heart rate was 2.88 beats per minute (bpm) in non-anemic, 4.83 in mildly anemic, and 7 bpm in moderately anemic subjects. Pain rating was higher in anemic subjects (average 7.21) compared to the non-anemic subjects (average 6.44). CONCLUSION CPT-induced pain causes greater cardiovascular reactivity in anemic patients. The average pain rating is higher in anemic subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indu Saxena
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur, Gorakhpur, IND
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Department of Physiology, Maharshi Vashishtha Autonomous State Medical College, Basti, Basti, IND
| | - Nandini Srivastava
- Department of Physiology, Maharshi Vashishtha Autonomous State Medical College, Basti, Basti, IND
| | - Sameer Srivastava
- Department of Physiology, Maharshi Vashishtha Autonomous State Medical College, Basti, Basti, IND
| | - Aniruddha Sen
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur, Gorakhpur, IND
| | - Ashish Arvind
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur, Gorakhpur, IND
| | - Amar Preet Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur, Gorakhpur, IND
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Grosso F, Barbiani D, Cavalera C, Volpato E, Pagnini F. Risk factors associated with nocebo effects: A review of reviews. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 38:100800. [PMID: 39021437 PMCID: PMC11252084 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This meta-review aims to identify and categorize the risk factors that are associated with nocebo effects. The nocebo effect can exert a negative impact on treatment outcomes and have detrimental outcomes on health. Learning more about its potential predictors and risk factors is a crucial step to mitigating it. Methods Literature review studies about the risk factors for nocebo effects were searched through five databases (PubMed, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Embase) and through grey literature. Methodological validity and risk of bias were assessed. We conducted a thematic analysis of the results of the forty-three included reviews. Results We identified nine categories of risk factors: prior expectations and learning; socio-demographic characteristics; personality and individual differences; neurodegenerative conditions; inflammatory conditions; communication of information and patient-physician relationship; drug characteristics; setting; and self-awareness. We also highlighted the main biochemical and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying nocebo effects. Conclusions Nocebo effects arise from expectations of adverse symptoms, particularly when triggered by previous negative experiences. A trusting relationship with the treating physician and clear, tailored treatment instructions can act as protective factors against a nocebo effect. Clinical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Grosso
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy
| | - Diletta Barbiani
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Cesare Cavalera
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Volpato
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Pagnini
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
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Hansen E. Touching the unconscious in the unconscious - hypnotic communication with unconscious patients. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1389449. [PMID: 38966734 PMCID: PMC11223660 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1389449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
If hypnosis means contact to the unconscious to modulate psychological and physiological functions by means of suggestions, and if this is facilitated by attenuation of the critical mind, then the question arises as to whether suggestions also have an effect when waking consciousness is otherwise eliminated, namely by coma or anesthesia. A prerequisite would be perception, which actually is evidenced by reports of patients after traumatic brain injury, artificial coma, resuscitation or general anesthesia. Moreover, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently observed after these medical situations is hardly explainable without some sort of awareness under such conditions. Even advanced neurophysiological diagnostic cannot yet rule out consciousness or sensory processing. Especially reference to perception during unconsciousness is given by the results of a recent multicenter study on the effects of hypnotic communication with patients under controlled adequate deep general anesthesia. The observed reductions in incidence and severity of postoperative pain, opioid use, nausea and vomiting cannot be explained by the reaction of a few but only by a considerable proportion of patients. This leads to a strong plea for a more careful treatment of unconscious patients in the emergency room, operating theater or intensive care unit, for the abandonment of the restriction of therapeutic communication to awake patients, and for new aspects of communication and hypnosis research. Obviously, loss of consciousness does not protect against psychological injury, and continuation of communication is needed. But how and what to talk to unconscious patients? Generally addressing the unconscious mind with suggestions that generally exert their effects unconsciously, hypnotic communication appears to be the adequate language. Especially addressing meaningful topics, as derived from the basic psychological needs and known stressors, appears essential. With respect to negative effects by negative or missing communication or to the proposed protective and supporting effects of therapeutic communication with patients clinically rated as unconscious, the role of consciousness is secondary. For the effects of perceived signals and suggestions it does not matter whether consciousness is absent, or partial, or unrecognized present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernil Hansen
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Peter B. Hypnosis in psychotherapy, psychosomatics and medicine. A brief overview. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1377900. [PMID: 38659672 PMCID: PMC11040694 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1377900] [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: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Aspects of hypnosis and its application in psychotherapy, psychosomatics and medicine are examined and contextualized in the 250-year history of hypnosis. Imagination as an essential element of hypnotic treatments appeared as early as 1784 as an argument rejecting the theory of animal magnetism of Franz Anton Mesmer. In somnambulism of German romanticism, another proto-form of hypnosis after 1800, concepts of the mind-body problem were dealt with, which still characterize the understanding of unconscious mental processes today. Hypnosis was at the beginning of psychoanalysis, but was not pursued further by Sigmund Freud from 1900 onwards. Nevertheless, there were some hypnoanalytical approaches in the 20th century, as well as attempts to integrate hypnosis into behavior therapy. Techniques of imagination and relaxation combine both; in particular findings from cognitive psychology explain processes of both hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy. The influence of social psychology brought a new perspective to the debate about the nature of hypnosis, which continues to this day: is hypnosis to be understood as a special state of consciousness or is it a completely normal, mundane interaction? The experiments that were carried out to support one side or the other were also dependent on the hypnotizability of the subjects involved, as the more difficult hypnotic phenomena such as paralysis, hallucinations or identity delusions can only be demonstrated by highly hypnotizable subjects. The fact that these are not mere compliance reactions has now been proven by many studies using imaging techniques. But even those who are moderately hypnotizable benefit from hypnosis rituals. Variables postulated by socio-cognitive hypnosis researchers, such as motivation and expectation, are relevant, as is a good "hypnotic rapport." Practical application of hypnotherapy today is characterized by the innovative techniques and strategies developed by Milton H. Erickson. Research into the effectiveness of hypnosis in the field of psychotherapy and psychosomatics still leaves much to be done. The situation is different in the field of medical hypnosis, where there are considerably more studies with a satisfactory design and verifiable effects. However, the impact in practical application in everyday medical practice is still low. Newer developments such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence are being looked at with critical interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burkhard Peter
- MEG-Foundation, Wilhelmsthal-Hesselbach, Germany
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Tigges-Limmer K, Brocks Y, Winkler Y, Stock Gissendanner S, Gummert J. Clinical experience with medical hypnosis as an adjunctive therapy in heart surgery. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1356392. [PMID: 38440236 PMCID: PMC10910116 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1356392] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Heart surgery patients are at high risk for psychological trauma and comorbid psychological disorders. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders in this patient group are predictors of outcomes after cardiac surgery. Medical hypnosis is effective for non-pharmacologic prevention and treatment of psychological disorders and has been associated with improved health-related quality of life and better cardiovascular outcomes. This contribution makes note of evidence of the effectiveness of medical hypnosis in a discussion of the clinical experience with specific hypnotherapeutic tools and interventions from the perspective of the mental health team in one large cardiac center in Germany. Based on our experience, we encourage heart centers to educate their heart surgery care teams about the core concepts of medical hypnosis and to make hypnotherapeutic techniques available as an adjunctive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Tigges-Limmer
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Yvonne Brocks
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Yvonne Winkler
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Jan Gummert
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
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Basedow LA, Zerth SF, Salzmann S, Uecker C, Bauer N, Elsenbruch S, Rief W, Langhorst J. Pre-treatment expectations and their influence on subjective symptom change in Crohn's disease. J Psychosom Res 2024; 176:111567. [PMID: 38100897 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment expectations reportedly shape treatment outcomes, but have not been studied in the context of multimodal therapy in Crohn's disease (CD). Therefore, the current study investigated the role of treatment expectations for subjective symptom changes in CD patients who have undergone an integrative multimodal therapy program. METHODS Validated questionnaires were completed at the start of the treatment program and post intervention. Pre-treatment expectations and experienced symptom change were assessed with the Generic Rating Scale for Previous Treatment Experiences, Treatment Expectations, and Treatment Effects (GEEE); stress levels were quantified with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and disease specific quality of life was quantified with the disease-specific Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ). We performed multiple linear and Bayesian regression to determine how expectations related to symptom change. RESULTS N = 71 CD patients (66.2% female) were included. Stronger expectations regarding symptom improvement (b = 0.422, t = 3.70, p < .001) were associated with higher experienced symptom improvement. Additionally, Bayesian analysis provided strong evidence for including improvement expectations as a predictor of improvement experience (BFinclusion = 13.78). CONCLUSIONS In line with research in other disorders, we found that positive treatment expectations were associated with experienced symptom improvement. In contrast, we found no indication that an experience of symptom worsening was associated with positive or negative baseline treatment expectations. Induction of positive expectations might be a potential avenue for improving treatment outcomes in CD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Andreas Basedow
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 35037 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Simon Felix Zerth
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 35037 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Stefan Salzmann
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 35037 Marburg, Germany; Health and Medical University, Medical Psychology, 99084 Erfurt, Germany.
| | - Christine Uecker
- Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, 96049 Bamberg, Germany; University of Duisburg Essen, Medicinal Faculty, Department of Integrative Medicine, 96049 Bamberg, Germany.
| | - Nina Bauer
- Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, 96049 Bamberg, Germany; University of Duisburg Essen, Medicinal Faculty, Department of Integrative Medicine, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
| | - Sigrid Elsenbruch
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44789 Bochum, Germany; Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany.
| | - Winfried Rief
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 35037 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Jost Langhorst
- Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, 96049 Bamberg, Germany; University of Duisburg Essen, Medicinal Faculty, Department of Integrative Medicine, 96049 Bamberg, Germany.
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Basedow LA, Fischer A, Benson S, Bingel U, Brassen S, Büchel C, Engler H, Mueller EM, Schedlowski M, Rief W. The influence of psychological traits and prior experience on treatment expectations. Compr Psychiatry 2023; 127:152431. [PMID: 37862937 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Placebo and nocebo responses are modulated by the treatment expectations of participants and patients. However, interindividual differences predicting treatment expectations and placebo responses are unclear. In this large-scale pooled analysis, we aim to investigate the influence of psychological traits and prior experiences on treatment expectations. METHODS This paper analyses data from six different placebo studies (total n = 748). In all studies, participants' sociodemographic information, treatment expectations and prior treatment experiences and traits relating to stress, somatization, depression and anxiety, the Big Five and behavioral inhibition and approach tendencies were assessed using the same established questionnaires. Correlation coefficients and structural equation models were calculated to investigate the relationship between trait variables and expectations. RESULTS We found small positive correlations between side effect expectations and improvement expectations (r = 0.187), perceived stress (r = 0.154), somatization (r = 0.115), agitation (r = 0.108), anhedonia (r = 0.118), and dysthymia (r = 0.118). In the structural equation model previous experiences emerged as the strongest predictors of improvement (β = 0.32, p = .005), worsening (β = -0.24, p = .005) and side effect expectations (β = 0.47, p = .005). Traits related to positive affect (β = - 0.09; p = .007) and negative affect (β = 0.04; p = .014) were associated with side effect expectations. DISCUSSION This study is the first large analysis to investigate the relationship between traits, prior experiences and treatment expectations. Exploratory analyses indicate that experiences of symptom improvement are associated with improvement and worsening expectations, while previous negative experiences are only related to side effect expectations. Additionally, a proneness to experience negative affect may be a predictor for side effect expectation and thus mediate the occurrence of nocebo responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas A Basedow
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 35037 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Anton Fischer
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Differential Psychology and Personality Research, 35037 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Sven Benson
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Ulrike Bingel
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, DE, Germany.
| | - Stefanie Brassen
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Christian Büchel
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Harald Engler
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Erik M Mueller
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Differential Psychology and Personality Research, 35037 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Manfred Schedlowski
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany; Osher Center for Integrative Health, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Winfried Rief
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 35037 Marburg, Germany.
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Wege M, von Blanckenburg P, Maier RF, Knoeppel C, Grunske A, Seifart C. Do parents get what they want during bad news delivery in NICU? J Perinat Med 2023; 51:1104-1111. [PMID: 37336635 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2023-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Little is known about parents' preferences in breaking bad news (BBN) in neonatology. The study was aimed at comparing parents' experiences with their first BBN discussion with a neonatologist/pediatric surgeon to their personal preferences. METHODS We conducted a quantitative survey amongst 54 parents of hospitalized preterm or term infants with severe diseases in two medium-size and one small German neonatal units. Parents answered self-rated questions on how they perceived BBN during their infant's hospital stay, asking for procedure and perception of BBN, their preferences and satisfaction with BBN. RESULTS Overall satisfaction with BBN was moderate to high (median (min-max): 8 (1-10) on a 1-10-Likert scale). A compassionate way of disclosure correlated highest with overall satisfaction with BBN. Thorough transmission of information in an easy to understand manner emerged as another crucial point and correlated significantly to satisfaction with BBN, too. The study revealed that it was highly important for parents, that physicians had good knowledge of the infant and the course of his/her disease, which was only met in a minority of cases. Moreover, there was a major discrepancy between expected and observed professional competence of the delivering physicians. Additionally, physicians did not set aside sufficient time for BBN and parents reported a lack of transporting assurance and hope. CONCLUSIONS In BBN physicians should draw greatest attention to ensure understanding in parents, with good knowledge of child and disease and sufficient time in a trustworthy manner. Physicians should focus on transporting competence, trust and gentleness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam Wege
- Children's Hospital, University Hospital, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Pia von Blanckenburg
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Felix Maier
- Children's Hospital, University Hospital, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Carmen Knoeppel
- Children's Hospital, Hospital Bad Hersfeld GmbH, Bad Hersfeld, Germany
| | | | - Carola Seifart
- Faculty of Medicine, Deans Office, Research Group Medical Ethics, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Wege M, von Blanckenburg P, Maier RF, Seifart C. Does Educational Status Influence Parents' Response to Bad News in the NICU? CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1729. [PMID: 38002820 PMCID: PMC10670369 DOI: 10.3390/children10111729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Communication in neonatal intensive care units and the relationship between families and staff have been reported to influence parental mental well-being. Research has also shown an impact of parental educational level on their well-being. However, whether different educational levels result in different reactions to breaking bad news (BBN) by physicians remains unanswered so far. We therefore examined the impact of parental level of education on their mental state after a BBN conversation and their relation to physicians. A prospective quantitative survey was conducted amongst 54 parents whose preterm or term infants were hospitalized in three German neonatal units. Parental education was classified as low (lower secondary/less (1), n: 23) or high (higher secondary/more (2), n: 31). Parents answered questions about certain aspects of and their mental state after BBN and their trust in physicians. The two groups did not differ significantly in their mental condition after BBN, with both reporting high levels of exhaustion and worries, each (median (min;max): (1): 16 (6;20) vs. (2): 14 (5;20), (scaling: 5-20)). However, lower-educated parents reported a lower trust in physicians (median (min;max): (1): 2 (0;9) vs. (2): 1 (0;6), p < 0.05 (scaling: 0-10)) and felt less safe during BBN (median (min;max): (1): 15 (9;35) vs. (2): 13 (9;33), p < 0.05). Only among higher-educated parents was trust in physicians significantly correlated with the safety and orientation provided during BBN (r: 0.583, p < 0.05, r: 0.584, p < 0.01). Concurrently, only among less-educated parents was safety correlated with the hope conveyed during BBN (r: 0.763, p < 0.01). Therefore, in BBN discussions with less-educated parents, physicians should focus more on giving them hope to promote safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam Wege
- Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Philipps University of Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Pia von Blanckenburg
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Rolf Felix Maier
- Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Philipps University of Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Carola Seifart
- Faculty of Medicine, Deans Office, Research Group Medical Ethics, Philipps University of Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany;
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Benson S, Karshikoff B. How Can Experimental Endotoxemia Contribute to Our Understanding of Pain? A Narrative Review. Neuroimmunomodulation 2023; 30:250-267. [PMID: 37797598 PMCID: PMC10619593 DOI: 10.1159/000534467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system and the central nervous system exchange information continuously. This communication is a prerequisite for adaptive responses to physiological and psychological stressors. While the implicate relationship between inflammation and pain is increasingly recognized in clinical cohorts, the underlying mechanisms and the possibilities for pharmacological and psychological approaches aimed at neuro-immune communication in pain are not fully understood yet. This calls for preclinical models which build a bridge from clinical research to laboratory research. Experimental models of systemic inflammation (experimental endotoxemia) in humans have been increasingly recognized as an approach to study the direct and causal effects of inflammation on pain perception. This narrative review provides an overview of what experimental endotoxemia studies on pain have been able to clarify so far. We report that experimental endotoxemia results in a reproducible increase in pain sensitivity, particularly for pressure and visceral pain (deep pain), which is reflected in responses of brain areas involved in pain processing. Increased levels of blood inflammatory cytokines are required for this effect, but cytokine levels do not always predict pain intensity. We address sex-dependent differences in immunological responses to endotoxin and discuss why these differences do not necessarily translate to differences in behavioral measures. We summarize psychological and cognitive factors that may moderate pain sensitization driven by immune activation. Together, studying the immune-driven changes in pain during endotoxemia offers a deeper mechanistic understanding of the role of inflammation in chronic pain. Experimental endotoxemia models can specifically help to tease out inflammatory mechanisms underlying individual differences, vulnerabilities, and comorbid psychological problems in pain syndromes. The model offers the opportunity to test the efficacy of interventions, increasing their translational applicability for personalized medical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Benson
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Medical Education, Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bianka Karshikoff
- Department of Social Studies, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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14
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Bailey CR. Patients have great expectations, but there is more to do. Anaesthesia 2023; 78:1199-1202. [PMID: 37499115 DOI: 10.1111/anae.16105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C R Bailey
- Department of Anaesthesia and Peri-operative Medicine, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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15
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Zaworski K, Kadłubowska M, Baj-Korpak J. Impact of Verbal Suggestions on Finger Flexor Activation and Strength in Healthy Individuals. Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e941548. [PMID: 37723852 PMCID: PMC10517631 DOI: 10.12659/msm.941548] [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] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Words uttered by other people can have an enormous influence on how we perceive our surroundings, what we expect, what we experience, and how we behave. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of verbal reinforcement on the placebo effect in the context of finger flexor muscle activation measured with surface electromyography (sEMG) and hand grip strength measured with a hand dynamometer in healthy subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eighty-eight individuals aged 22.64±5.2 years took part in the study. For each person, paper tape was applied (placebo). The participants were randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 groups: positive information group (P) - "the tape increases hand muscle strength", negative information group (N) - "the tape decreases hand muscle strength", and control group (C) - "the effect of the tape on hand muscle strength is unknown." The activation of muscles was assessed using surface electromyography (sEMG) while measuring the strength of wrist and finger flexors with a hand dynamometer. Each participant was examined twice - prior to and immediately after taping and providing verbal reinforcement. RESULTS Only group N manifested a decrease in muscle strength, from 39.7N to 37.6N (P=0.003). Group C displayed an increase in muscle strength from 34.3N to 36.4N (P=0.035). None of the groups demonstrated statistically significant changes in bioelectrical activity of the muscles. At no stage of examination were the differences between the groups significant. CONCLUSIONS Negative verbal information combined with the placebo intervention resulted in a significant decrease in the strength of finger flexors.
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Machotta A, Hansen TG, Weiss M. Children's rights - the basis of quality in pediatric anesthesia. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 2023; 36:295-300. [PMID: 36815521 DOI: 10.1097/aco.0000000000001256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In 1989, the United Nations passed the 'Convention on the Rights of the Child' (UNCRC) and, among others claimed the highest attainable standard of health for children and consequently the highest level of safety and quality in paediatric anaesthesia. SAFETOTS (Safe Anesthesia For Every Tot, www.safetots.org ), an initiative of international active paediatric anaesthetists, has derived 10 rights, the '10 R' of children undergoing anaesthesia care, which are critical for the well being of the child. RECENT FINDINGS The current situation in paediatric anaesthesia care in Europe does not always meet the requirements demanded by the UNCRC. Anaesthesia-related complications in children are still persistent. Anaesthesiologists are frequently asked to provide care for newborns, infants and small children without having sufficient child-specific expertise, resulting in an increased morbidity and mortality. SUMMARY This article will explain these statutes of children's rights and their implications for everyday paediatric anaesthesia. Furthermore, it will also express the institutional and political changes that are needed to guarantee children their right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Machotta
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom G Hansen
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Division of Surgery, Akershus University Hospital Oslo, Norway and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Markus Weiss
- Department of Anaesthesia, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
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Hansen E. [What's new … Patients are listening-communication under general anesthesia]. DIE ANAESTHESIOLOGIE 2022; 71:793-794. [PMID: 36121461 DOI: 10.1007/s00101-022-01200-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is ample evidence of awareness of at least some unconscious patients. A recent multicenter study found significant reductions after therapeutic communication during general anesthesia in postoperative pain and analgesic consumption, as well as in postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and antiemetic requirements in high-risk patients. Thus, an intraoperatively presentet text represents a simple non-pharmacological method to reduce side effects of surgery and anesthesia. This also offers treatment in other unconscious patients. However, another finding seems worth noting: the results of the study cannot be explained by the known intraoperative awareness and response of individual patients. Therefore, there should be a fundamental change in the way patients are treated in the operating room and intensive care unit, and background noise and careless conversations should be eliminated. 56 years after David Cheek formulated "BE CAREFUL, THE PATIENT IS LISTENING should be engraved over the door of every operating room, every recovery room, every intensive care unit in every hospital." after his first observations of patient perceptions, perhaps it is now time to finally heed this call and to use communication with unconscious patients that goes beyond the most necessary announcement of interventions and is therapeutically effective through positive suggestions. When in doubt, assume that the patient is listening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernil Hansen
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg, Deutschland.
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18
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Zech N, Schrödinger M, Hansen E. Avoidance of nocebo effects by coincident naming of treatment benefits during the medical interview for informed consent—Evidence from dynamometry. Front Psychol 2022; 13:923044. [PMID: 36017426 PMCID: PMC9397404 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.923044] [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: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In the context of giving risk information for obtaining informed consent, it is not easy to comply with the ethical principle of “primum nihil nocere.” Carelessness, ignorance of nocebo effects and a misunderstood striving for legal certainty can lead doctors to comprehensive and brutal risk information. It is known that talking about risks and side effects can even trigger those and result in distress and nonadherence to medication or therapy. Methods Recently, we have reported on significant clinically relevant effects of verbal and non-verbal suggestions on maximal muscular arm strength in healthy volunteers and in patients at two time points before surgery. Maximal strength during arm abduction was measured by dynamometry of the deltoid muscle group. Suggestions from clinical everyday life were formulated as presumed negative and neutral versions. Results Here, we report on the effects of two versions of risk information in 45 patients. After sole mentioning risks of a puncture for the placement of a pain catheter, the maximal arm muscle strength was significantly reduced to 83% of baseline several days (T1), and to 84% the evening before surgery (T2). Strength was not significantly decreased and close to baseline at T1 and T2 when risks and benefits of a pain catheter were combined in one sentence. The difference between both versions was significant. With persistent normal distribution of values, the effect was due to uniform reactions of many patients, not to strong reactions of a few. High suggestibility and increase of anxiety with approaching surgery were identified as influencing factors for the neutralizing effect of modified wording. Conclusion We not only suggest an alternative formulation for risk information to avoid nocebo effects but present an objective method to quantify and compare effects of different wordings. Thereby, we provide evidence that concurrently given positive aspects can neutralize negative effects during medical interview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Zech
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Nina Zech,
| | - Matthias Schrödinger
- Department of Internal Medicine, District Hospital Wörth an der Donau, Wörth, Germany
| | - Ernil Hansen
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Nowak H, Wolf A, Rahmel T, Oprea G, Grause L, Moeller M, Gyarmati K, Mittler C, Zagler A, Lutz K, Loeser J, Saller T, Tryba M, Adamzik M, Hansen E, Zech N. Therapeutic Suggestions During General Anesthesia Reduce Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in High-Risk Patients – A Post hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Psychol 2022; 13:898326. [PMID: 35910976 PMCID: PMC9337244 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.898326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are one of the most adverse events after general anesthesia, a distressing experience, and pose a risk to the patient. Despite advances in drug prophylaxis and PONV treatment, the incidence remains high and additional non-pharmacological treatments are needed. In this post hoc analysis of a recently published double-blind multicenter randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of intraoperative therapeutic suggestions on postoperative opioid dosage, we analyzed the effects of intraoperative therapeutic suggestions on PONV. We focus on patients with a high risk of PONV (Apfel risk score of 3–4) and distinguished early (first two postoperative hours) and delayed PONV (2–24 h). A total of 385 patients with a moderate or high risk for PONV were included. The incidence of early and delayed PONV was reduced (22.7–18.3 and 29.9–24.1%, respectively), without statistical significance, whereas in high-risk patients (n = 180) their incidence was nearly halved, 17.2 vs. 31.2% (p = 0.030) and 20.7 vs. 34.4% (p = 0.040), corresponding to a number needed to treat of 7 to avoid PONV. In addition, there was a significant reduction in PONV severity. In a multivariate logistic regression model, assignment to the control group (OR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1–4.8) was identified as an independent predictor of the occurrence of early PONV. Our results indicate that intraoperative therapeutic suggestions can significantly reduce the incidence of PONV in high-risk patients. This encourages the expansion of therapeutic suggestions under general anesthesia, which are inexpensive and virtually free of side effects. Clinical Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register, https://drks.de, registration number: DRKS00013800.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hartmuth Nowak
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- *Correspondence: Hartmuth Nowak,
| | - Alexander Wolf
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Tim Rahmel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Guenther Oprea
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Lisa Grause
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Katharina Gyarmati
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Corinna Mittler
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexandra Zagler
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katrin Lutz
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Loeser
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Saller
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Tryba
- Kassel School of Medicine, Kassel, Germany
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Pain Therapy, Kassel Hospital, Kassel, Germany
| | - Michael Adamzik
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ernil Hansen
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Nina Zech
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Stortenbeker I, Salm L, Olde Hartman T, Stommel W, Das E, van Dulmen S. Coding linguistic elements in clinical interactions: a step-by-step guide for analyzing communication form. BMC Med Res Methodol 2022; 22:191. [PMID: 35820827 PMCID: PMC9277943 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-022-01647-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The quality of communication between healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients affects health outcomes. Different coding systems have been developed to unravel the interaction. Most schemes consist of predefined categories that quantify the content of communication (the what). Though the form (the how) of the interaction is equally important, protocols that systematically code variations in form are lacking. Patterns of form and how they may differ between groups therefore remain unnoticed. To fill this gap, we present CLECI, Coding Linguistic Elements in Clinical Interactions, a protocol for the development of a quantitative codebook analyzing communication form in medical interactions. METHODS Analyzing with a CLECI codebook is a four-step process, i.e. preparation, codebook development, (double-)coding, and analysis and report. Core activities within these phases are research question formulation, data collection, selection of utterances, iterative deductive and inductive category refinement, reliability testing, coding, analysis, and reporting. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION We present step-by-step instructions for a CLECI analysis and illustrate this process in a case study. We highlight theoretical and practical issues as well as the iterative codebook development which combines theory-based and data-driven coding. Theory-based codes assess how relevant linguistic elements occur in natural interactions, whereas codes derived from the data accommodate linguistic elements to real-life interactions and contribute to theory-building. This combined approach increases research validity, enhances theory, and adjusts to fit naturally occurring data. CLECI will facilitate the study of communication form in clinical interactions and other institutional settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Stortenbeker
- Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Lisa Salm
- Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Tim Olde Hartman
- Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of Primary and Community Care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Wyke Stommel
- Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Enny Das
- Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra van Dulmen
- Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of Primary and Community Care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- NIVEL (Netherlands institute for health services research), Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Caring Science, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden
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21
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Kim J, Esteves JE, Cerritelli F, Friston K. An Active Inference Account of Touch and Verbal Communication in Therapy. Front Psychol 2022; 13:828952. [PMID: 35668964 PMCID: PMC9163786 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.828952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper offers theoretical explanations for why “guided touch” or manual touch with verbal communication can be an effective way of treating the body (e.g., chronic pain) and the mind (e.g., emotional disorders). The active inference theory suggests that chronic pain and emotional disorders can be attributed to distorted and exaggerated patterns of interoceptive and proprioceptive inference. We propose that the nature of active inference is abductive. As such, to rectify aberrant active inference processes, we should change the “Rule” of abduction, or the “prior beliefs” entailed by a patient’s generative model. This means pre-existing generative models should be replaced with new models. To facilitate such replacement—or updating—the present treatment proposes that we should weaken prior beliefs, especially the one at the top level of hierarchical generative models, thereby altering the sense of agency, and redeploying attention. Then, a new prior belief can be installed through inner communication along with manual touch. The present paper proposes several hypotheses for possible experimental studies. If touch with verbal guidance is proven to be effective, this would demonstrate the relevance of active inference and the implicit prediction model at a behavioral level. Furthermore, it would open new possibilities of employing inner communication interventions, including self-talk training, for a wide range of psychological and physical therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joohan Kim
- Department of Communication, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jorge E Esteves
- Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Foundation Center for Osteopathic Medicine Collaboration (COME) Collaboration, Pescara, Italy.,Malta ICOM Educational Ltd., St. Julian's, Gzira, Malta.,Research Department, University College of Osteopathy, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Cerritelli
- Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Foundation Center for Osteopathic Medicine Collaboration (COME) Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
| | - Karl Friston
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
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23
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Zech N, Scharl L, Seemann M, Pfeifer M, Hansen E. Nocebo Effects of Clinical Communication and Placebo Effects of Positive Suggestions on Respiratory Muscle Strength. Front Psychol 2022; 13:825839. [PMID: 35360592 PMCID: PMC8962828 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.825839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction:The effects of specific suggestions are usually studied by measuring parameters that are directly addressed by these suggestions. We recently proposed the use of a uniform, unrelated, and objective measure like maximal muscle strength that allows comparison of suggestions to avoid nocebo effects and thus to improve communication. Since reduced breathing strength might impair respiration and increase the risk of post-operative pulmonary complications, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the suggestions on respiratory muscle power. Both the identification and neutralization of negative suggestions in the clinical context and stimulating suggestions could improve breathing force, a predictor of physical fitness and convalescence.MethodsIn 50 healthy, adult volunteers, respiratory muscle strength was measured by maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, as well as by maximal inspiratory and expiratory flows. Baseline was compared to values after application of eleven suggestions, five out of clinical context, including memory of negative or positive past, risk information for informed consent, and a non-verbal suggestion. Six stimulating suggestions included self-affirmation, empowering words, a heroic mirror image, and an imagination.ResultsAll suggestions showed an impact on respiratory muscle strength, indicating placebo and nocebo effects. No single parameter could represent the breathing force in its complexity, however, trends and different specific aspects of it were measured. The strongest reaction was observed with the recall of a previous negative situation resulting in a reduction in expiratory flow to 96.1% of baseline (p = 0.041). After risk information, a decrease was observed in three of the parameters, with the highest extend in expiratory pressure by 4.4%. This nocebo effect was neutralized by adding positive aspects to the risk information. Every intended strengthening suggestion resulted in statistically significant increases of at least one parameter, with changes of up to 10% (e.g., MEP 110.3%, p = 0.001), indicating placebo effects. Here, expiration was more affected than inspiration. Sex was the only influencing factor reaching statistical significance, with stronger reactions in women.ConclusionRespiratory muscle strength proved to be sensitive to suggestions with clinical context, as well as suggestions intended for stimulation. With this objective measurement, evaluation, and comparison of different suggestions is possible to help avoid nocebo effects. The demonstrated effect of supporting suggestions can be followed up and used in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Zech
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Nina Zech,
| | - Leoni Scharl
- Department of Pediatrics, RoMed Klinikum Rosenheim, Rosenheim, Germany
| | - Milena Seemann
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Agaplesion Diakonieklinikum Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Pfeifer
- Department of Internal Medicine II (Cardiology and Pulmonology), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ernil Hansen
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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The effects of being informed about chemotherapy-related cognitive symptoms with and without self-affirmation on perceived cognitive symptoms of breast cancer patients: a randomized prospective, longitudinal study. Clin Breast Cancer 2022; 22:439-454. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Arrow K, Burgoyne LL, Cyna AM. Implications of nocebo in anaesthesia care. Anaesthesia 2022; 77 Suppl 1:11-20. [DOI: 10.1111/anae.15601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Arrow
- Women’s and Children’s Hospital North Adelaide SA Australia
| | - L. L. Burgoyne
- Women’s and Children’s Hospital North Adelaide SA Australia
| | - A. M. Cyna
- Women’s and Children’s Hospital North Adelaide SA Australia
- Discipline of Acute Care Medicine University of Adelaide Adelaide SA Australia
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Rodrigues BA, Silva LMCP, Lucena HÍDS, Morais EPGD, Rocha AC, Alves GADS, Benevides SD. Nocebo effect in health communication: how to minimize it? REVISTA CEFAC 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0216/20222443022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Purpose: to describe the strategies used to minimize the nocebo effect in health communication. Methods: an integrative review of the literature. The keywords “nocebo effect” and “health communication” and their combinations were used in English, Portuguese, and Spanish to search publications from 2011 to 2021 in MEDLINE, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science/ISI. The following research question was used: “Which strategies have been used to minimize the nocebo effect in health communication?”. Literature Review: altogether, 77 articles were found, although only six met the inclusion criteria and comprised the review sample. Their year of publication ranged from 2015 to 2021. Positive framing, assertive communication, and contextual factors were the strategies used to minimize the nocebo effect. Conclusion: the strategies used to minimize the nocebo effect were contextual factors, motivational talk, positive framing, assertive communication, and empathetic communication. These communication techniques are seemingly effective, though still little known by health professionals. This knowledge is important as it helps develop communicative skills aiming at humanized patient care.
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Rodrigues BA, Silva LMCP, Lucena HÍDS, Morais EPGD, Rocha AC, Alves GADS, Benevides SD. Efeito nocebo na comunicação em saúde: como minimizá-lo? REVISTA CEFAC 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0216/20222443022s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RESUMO Objetivo: descrever as estratégias para minimizar o efeito nocebo na comunicação em saúde. Métodos: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura. Os descritores utilizados foram: “Efeito nocebo” e “comunicação em saúde”, em inglês, português e espanhol e suas combinações, no período de 2011 a 2021, nas bases de dados da Medline, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), Cochrane Library, Embase e Web of Science/ISI. A pergunta de investigação para esse estudo foi: Quais as estratégias utilizadas para minimizar o efeito nocebo na comunicação em saúde? Revisão da Literatura: foram encontrados 77 artigos. Apenas seis preencheram os critérios de inclusão e compuseram a amostra da revisão. Os anos de publicação dos artigos variaram entre 2015 e 2021. As estratégias definidas para minimizar o efeito nocebo foram: enquadramento positivo, comunicação assertiva e utilização de fatores contextuais. Conclusão: as estratégias encontradas para minimizar o efeito nocebo foram fatores contextuais, conversa motivacional, enquadramento positivo, comunicação assertiva e comunicação empática. Essas técnicas de comunicação parecem ser efetivas, mas ainda são pouco conhecidas pelos profissionais em saúde. Esse conhecimento se faz importante, pois auxilia no desenvolvimento de habilidades comunicativas que visam à humanização do cuidado ao paciente.
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Krefting F, Hölsken S, Schedlowski M, Sondermann W. [The effect of treatment expectations on pruritus and skin pain]. Schmerz 2021; 36:189-195. [PMID: 34705119 PMCID: PMC9156458 DOI: 10.1007/s00482-021-00600-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Hintergrund Patientenerwartungen in Bezug auf den Nutzen einer medizinischen Behandlung stellen eine wichtige Determinante für die Placeboantwort dar. Sie können Entwicklung und Verlauf von Erkrankungen sowie Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit von Therapien maßgeblich beeinflussen. Die Mechanismen, die diese Placebo- und Noceboeffekte vermitteln, wurden bislang am besten auf dem Gebiet der Placeboanalgesie beschrieben. Aber auch in der Dermatologie findet sich eine zunehmende Evidenz dafür, dass verschiedene Symptome wie Schmerzen an der Haut und Pruritus (Jucken) sowie verschiedene dermatologische Erkrankungen durch die Behandlungserwartungen von Patienten moduliert werden können. Ziel der Arbeit Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Darstellung der aktuellen Datenlage in Bezug auf den Einfluss von Erwartungseffekten auf dermatologische Symptome wie Pruritus und Hautschmerzen sowie auf verschiedene dermatologische Erkrankungen. Schließlich soll die Bedeutung dieses Themas für Ärzte, die Patienten mit Hautsymptomen behandeln, vermittelt werden. Material und Methoden Es handelt sich um eine narrative Übersichtsarbeit. Ergebnisse und Diskussion Eine zunehmende Anzahl von Studien an gesunden Probanden und dermatologischen Patienten zeigt, dass Hautsymptome wie Pruritus und Schmerzen durch die Induktion positiver Erwartungen verringert und durch die Induktion negativer Erwartungen verstärkt werden können. Vorherige Behandlungserfahrungen der Patienten sowie die Qualität und Quantität der Arzt-Patienten-Kommunikation spielen für die Induktion der Behandlungserwartung eine zentrale Rolle. Schlussfolgerung Techniken, die darauf abzielen, positive Erwartungseffekte von Patienten mit Hautsymptomen zu maximieren und negative zu minimieren, sollten in die klinische Routine implementiert werden.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Krefting
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland
| | - S Hölsken
- Institut für Medizinische Psychologie und Verhaltensimmunbiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland
| | - M Schedlowski
- Institut für Medizinische Psychologie und Verhaltensimmunbiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 171 77, Stockholm, Schweden
| | - W Sondermann
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland.
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Amanzio M, Cipriani GE, Bartoli M. How do nocebo effects in placebo groups of randomized controlled trials provide a possible explicative framework for the COVID-19 pandemic? Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2021; 14:439-444. [PMID: 33682603 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2021.1900728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are useful to study the role of individual and contextual factors in which therapies vs placebos are administered and to provide an important perspective for understanding the phenomenon of nocebo-related risks.Areas covered: The results of nocebo effects in RCT placebo groups, measured in terms of adverse events (AEs) and dropouts, will be presented as an explicative framework for the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are the only RCTs routinely conducted during the pandemic. Information about efficacy and safety of different vaccines represents a fertile ground for nocebo phenomena. Individual and contextual factors will be emphasized in order to understand the presence of a refusal of immunization associated with a specific vaccine considered less effective and safe. Critical aspects and some guidelines will be presented in order to counteract the nocebo effects and to improve adherence to drug treatments and the vaccination campaign.Expert opinion: The nocebo effect could explain the presence of strong resistance in European countries to immunization with a vaccine perceived as less effective, compared to others. Increased awareness of the nocebo effect would be relevant as it could lead to a greater participation in the vaccination campaign and in protecting individuals against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Sondermann W, Reinboldt-Jockenhöfer F, Dissemond J, Pfaar O, Bingel U, Schedlowski M. Effects of Patients' Expectation in Dermatology: Evidence from Experimental and Clinical Placebo Studies and Implications for Dermatologic Practice and Research. Dermatology 2021; 237:857-871. [PMID: 33498052 DOI: 10.1159/000513445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients' expectations towards the benefit of a treatment are key determinants of placebo responses and can affect the development and course of medical conditions and the efficacy and tolerability of active medical treatment. The mechanisms mediating these placebo and nocebo effects have been best described in the field of experimental pain and placebo analgesia. However, also in dermatology experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that various skin diseases such as inflammatory dermatoses and allergic reactions can be modulated by patients' expectations. Dermatologists should consider the important modulatory role of patients' expectations on the efficacy and tolerability of specific treatments and the key role of verbal information, patients' prior treatment experiences (associative learning), and the quality and quantity of doctor-patient communication in shaping treatment expectation. As a consequence, techniques aiming at maximizing patients' expectation effects should be implemented into daily clinical routine. By contrast, in clinical studies expectation effects should be maximally controlled and harmonized to improve the "assay sensitivity" to detect new compounds. Further translational studies, also in dermatoses that have not been investigated yet, are needed to better characterize the mechanisms underlying patients' expectation and to gain further insights into potential clinical implications of these effects in dermatologic conditions. Therefore, in this review, we provide a brief overview on the concept of expectation effects on treatment outcome in general, summarize what is already known about this topic for dermatologic diseases, and finally present the relevance of this topic in clinical dermatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Sondermann
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany,
| | - Finja Reinboldt-Jockenhöfer
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Joachim Dissemond
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Pfaar
- Section of Rhinology and Allergy, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Bingel
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Manfred Schedlowski
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Deffner T, Rosendahl J, Niecke A. [Psychotraumatological aspects in intensive care medicine]. DER NERVENARZT 2021; 92:81-89. [PMID: 33410960 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-020-01060-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the context of intensive care medicine, patients, their relatives, and more infrequently members of the ICU team can be affected by potential trauma. Acute stress disorder often results. Psychological symptoms of critically ill patients should therefore be regularly screened in a standardized manner in order to be able to identify and treat patients with a high symptom burden. Some traumatic stressors in intensive care medicine can be reduced using trauma-sensitive communication. Psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions can complement this basic care. High quality communication with relatives contributes to a risk reduction with regard to their subsequent psychological stress. On the part of the ICU team, stress should be differentiated from potentially traumatizing events and both problem areas should be dealt with preventively. After experiencing a traumatic event during work, a procedure analogous to physical work accidents is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Deffner
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Deutschland.
- Kinderklinik, Sektion Neonatologie und Pädiatrische Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Deutschland.
| | - Jenny Rosendahl
- Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Deutschland
| | - Alexander Niecke
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Uniklinik & Medizinische Fakultät, Universität zu Köln, Köln, Deutschland
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Nowak H, Zech N, Asmussen S, Rahmel T, Tryba M, Oprea G, Grause L, Schork K, Moeller M, Loeser J, Gyarmati K, Mittler C, Saller T, Zagler A, Lutz K, Adamzik M, Hansen E. Effect of therapeutic suggestions during general anaesthesia on postoperative pain and opioid use: multicentre randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2020; 371:m4284. [PMID: 33303476 PMCID: PMC7726311 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.m4284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of therapeutic suggestions played to patients through earphones during surgery on postoperative pain and opioid use. DESIGN Blinded randomised controlled study. SETTING Five tertiary care hospitals in Germany. PARTICIPANTS 385 of 400 patients consecutively recruited from January to December 2018 who were to undergo surgery for 1-3 hours under general anaesthesia. In the per protocol analysis 191 patients were included in the intervention group and 194 patients in the control group. INTERVENTION The intervention comprised an audiotape of background music and positive suggestions based on hypnotherapeutic principles, which was played repeatedly for 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes of silence to patients through earphones during general anaesthesia. Patients in the control group were assigned to a blank tape. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The main outcome was dose of opioid administered by patient controlled analgesia or nurse controlled analgesia within the first postoperative 24 hours, based on regular evaluation of pain intensity on a numerical rating scale (range 0-10, with higher scores representing more severe pain). RESULTS Compared with the control group, the intervention group required a significantly (P=0.002) lower opioid dose within 24 hours after surgery, with a median of 4.0 mg (interquartile range 0-8) morphine equivalents versus 5.3 (2-12), and an effect size (Cohen's d) of 0.36 (95% confidence interval 0.16 to 0.56). The number of patients who needed opioids postoperatively was significantly (P=0.001) reduced in the intervention group: 121 of 191 (63%, 95% confidence interval 45% to 70%) patients in the intervention group versus 155 of 194 (80%, 74% to 85%) in the control group. The number needed to treat to avoid postoperative opioids was 6. Pain scores were consistently and significantly lower in the intervention group within 24 hours after surgery, with an average reduction of 25%. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS Therapeutic suggestions played through earphones during general anaesthesia could provide a safe, feasible, inexpensive, and non-drug technique to reduce postoperative pain and opioid use, with the potential for more general use. Based on the finding of intraoperative perception by a considerable number of patients, surgeons and anaesthetists should be careful about background noise and conversations during surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trial Register DRKS00013800.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hartmuth Nowak
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Contributed equally
| | - Nina Zech
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Contributed equally
| | - Sven Asmussen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Tim Rahmel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Michael Tryba
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Pain Therapy, Kassel Hospital, Kassel, Germany
- Kassel School of Medicine, Kassel, Germany
| | - Guenther Oprea
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Lisa Grause
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Karin Schork
- Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Johannes Loeser
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Katharina Gyarmati
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Corinna Mittler
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Saller
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandra Zagler
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katrin Lutz
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Adamzik
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ernil Hansen
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany
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Hansen E, Zech N, Benson S. [Nocebo, informed consent and doctor-patient communication]. DER NERVENARZT 2020; 91:691-699. [PMID: 32728796 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-020-00963-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Negative previous experiences (conditioning), observational learning and expectations can trigger nocebo effects. They are responsible for a substantial proportion of the side effects of medical treatment, and are induced primarily by risk information for informed consent. This has been demonstrated in studies on patient groups with or without modified medical information. Drug trials in the field of neurology and psychiatry have regularly revealed side effects and drop-out also in placebo groups. The underlying neurobiological mechanisms were experimentally investigated especially for nocebo-induced hyperalgesia, whereby the specifically involved regions of the brain could be identified by functional imaging as well as changes in the dopamine, endorphin and cholecystokinin systems. Nocebo effects are specific, i.e. they are closely related to patient information and can induce or aggravate exactly the symptoms addressed. Nevertheless, informed consent is an essential part of doctor-patient communication; however, information on risks can be markedly less damaging when unnecessary repetitions are avoided, misunderstandings are recognized or resolved and several different options are given. In addition, risks should always be named together with positive aspects, such as the advantages of the appropriate treatment, the prophylactic measures applied or the early detection and treatment of developing side effects. The best protection against harm caused by information on risks is a trustful doctor-patient relationship. Poor knowledge of nocebo effects or lack of countermeasures constitute a serious threat to patients and according to the current state of knowledge could be rated as medical malpractice.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Hansen
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Deutschland.
| | - N Zech
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Deutschland
| | - S Benson
- Institut für Medizinische Psychologie und Verhaltensbiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, 45122, Deutschland
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Rossettini G, Geri T, Palese A, Marzaro C, Mirandola M, Colloca L, Fiorio M, Turolla A, Manoni M, Testa M. What Physiotherapists Specialized in Orthopedic Manual Therapy Know About Nocebo-Related Effects and Contextual Factors: Findings From a National Survey. Front Psychol 2020; 11:582174. [PMID: 33192904 PMCID: PMC7606996 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.582174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge of orthopedic manual therapists (OMTs) regarding context factors (CFs) capable of triggering nocebo effects during the treatment and how this knowledge is related to their socio-demographic features. Design A cross-sectional online survey. Setting National. Main Outcome Measures A 20 items questionnaire composed by open-ended and closed single-choice questions was administered to explore: (a) socio-demographic variables (10 questions); (b) the relation between different CFs and nocebo-related effects (2 questions); and (c) the knowledge of participants about nocebo-related effects and how they managed them in the clinical practice (8 questions). Participants 1288 OMTs were recruited from the database of the Master in Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MRDM) of the University of Genova from March to May 2019. Inclusion criteria were: (a) to possess a valid email account; (b) to understand and use as a native language the Italian; (c) to be graduated as OMTs; and (d) to be employed as physiotherapists specialized-OMTs during the survey. Results 791 responses were received (61.4%); 473 of them were male (59.8%), with an average age of 31.0 ± 7.1 years. OMTs defined nocebo-related effects as the psychosocial context effects around therapy and patient with specific biological bases (72.2%). OMTs know that their clinical practice is pervaded by nocebo-related effects (42.5%), triggered by CFs. Participants communicated nocebo-related effects balancing the positive features of the therapy with the negative ones (50.9%), during the decision of the therapeutic plan (42.7%). They reported associative learning as the main mechanism involved in nocebo-related effects (28.8%). OMTs taught and trained patient’s strategies to manage nocebo-related effects (39.6%) through an evaluation and correction of patient’s anxieties, doubts and expectations (37.7%). OMTs most frequently considered themselves to have a “medium” education about nocebo-related effects (48.2%) and that their management should be taught during bachelor (78.6%). Conclusion OMTs believed that nocebo-related effects were present in their clinical practice and that they can be triggered by CFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Rossettini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,School of Physiotherapy, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Tommaso Geri
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Alvisa Palese
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Chiara Marzaro
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Mattia Mirandola
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Luana Colloca
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Anesthesiology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mirta Fiorio
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Turolla
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Technologies, San Camillo IRCCS srl, Venezia, Italy
| | - Mattia Manoni
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Marco Testa
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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Kravvariti E, Kotsani M, Mitsikostas DD, Sfikakis PP. Nocebo phenomena may be enhanced in aging: Implications for clinical practice. Maturitas 2020; 143:10-16. [PMID: 33308614 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Nocebo effects, denoting unfavourable outcomes after a medical intervention because of negative expectations rather than a direct pharmacologic action, are an important cause of dropout from clinical trials and non-adherence to medication, and may be especially pertinent for older adults. Several characteristics of aging individuals and their medical care have a potential to augment nocebo susceptibility, such as depression and anxiety, neurodegenerative diseases and chronic pain states, adverse healthcare experiences, generic drug use, age-related stereotypes, and strained patient-physician communication. Nocebo-related research in older adults is hindered by under-representation in clinical trials, medical complexity of geriatric patients, and lack of validated tools to accurately assess susceptibility and efficacy of preventive efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kravvariti
- Postgraduate Medical Studies in the Physiology of Aging and Geriatric Syndromes, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens' Medical School, Athens, Greece.
| | - M Kotsani
- Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, Pôle « Maladies du Vieillissement, Gérontologie et Soins Palliatifs », F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - D D Mitsikostas
- First Department of Neurology, Aeginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens' Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - P P Sfikakis
- Postgraduate Medical Studies in the Physiology of Aging and Geriatric Syndromes, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens' Medical School, Athens, Greece
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[Psychotraumatological aspects in intensive care medicine]. Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed 2020; 115:511-518. [PMID: 32749505 DOI: 10.1007/s00063-020-00706-y] [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] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In the context of intensive care medicine, patients, their relatives, and more infrequently members of the ICU team can be affected by potential trauma. Acute stress disorder often results. Psychological symptoms of critically ill patients should therefore be regularly screened in a standardized manner in order to be able to identify and treat patients with a high symptom burden. Some traumatic stressors in intensive care medicine can be reduced using trauma-sensitive communication. Psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions can complement this basic care. High quality communication with relatives contributes to a risk reduction with regard to their subsequent psychological stress. On the part of the ICU team, stress should be differentiated from potentially traumatizing events and both problem areas should be dealt with preventively. After experiencing a traumatic event during work, a procedure analogous to physical work accidents is recommended.
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37
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Zech N, Schrödinger M, Seemann M, Zeman F, Seyfried TF, Hansen E. Time-Dependent Negative Effects of Verbal and Non-verbal Suggestions in Surgical Patients-A Study on Arm Muscle Strength. Front Psychol 2020; 11:1693. [PMID: 32849024 PMCID: PMC7399336 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The medical environment is full of suggestions that affect patients and their healing. Most of them inadvertently are negative, thus evoking nocebo effects. Recently, we have reported on the effect of such verbal and non-verbal suggestions as well as alternative formulations on maximal muscular arm strength in healthy volunteers. In the present study, we tested the same suggestions in patients at two time points to evaluate nocebo effects in a clinical situation and the impact of the approaching surgery date. Methods In 45 patients, maximal muscular strength during arm abduction was measured by dynamometry of the deltoid muscle group. One test was several days before and the second on the evening before surgery. Baseline values were compared to the performance after exposure to 18 verbal and non-verbal suggestions. The sequence of presumably negative and positive suggestions was randomized for each patient in order to avoid cumulation effects of immediate succession of two negatives. State anxiety was evaluated at both time points, and suggestibility was measured after surgery. Results Strong and statistically significant weakening effects were observed with all presumed negative suggestions from daily clinical practice including words of encouragement (91.4% of baseline), evaluation of symptoms (89.0%), announcement of a medical intervention (82.8%), a negative memory (86.5%), expectation of an uncertain future (82.8%), and non-verbal signals (87.7–92.2%). In contrast, alternative formulations did not interfere with muscular performance in most cases. A more pronounced effect was observed in the test repeated closer to the date of surgery, accompanied by a 15% higher anxiety level. The increase in anxiety correlated slightly with stronger weakening effects of suggestions, as did suggestibility. Conclusions Negative suggestions cause a decrease in arm muscle strength, i.e., a “weakening” of the patient. This effect is enhanced by an increase in anxiety as the time of treatment, like surgery, approaches. The reaction can be avoided by alternative formulations. These nocebo effects that are objectively measured and quantified by a decrease in arm muscle strength are more pronounced in patients, i.e., in a clinical situation, than in healthy volunteers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Zech
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Schrödinger
- Department of Internal Medicine, District Hospital Wörth an der Donau, Wörth am Rhein, Germany
| | - Milena Seemann
- Department of Anesthesiology, Agaplesion Diakonieklinikum Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Florian Zeman
- Centre for Clinical Studies, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Timo F Seyfried
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ernil Hansen
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Maximizing placebo response in neurological clinical practice. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2020; 153:71-101. [PMID: 32563294 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2020.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The placebo effect is a widely recognized phenomenon in clinical research, with a negative perception that it could hide the "true" drug effect. In clinical care its positive potential to increase known drug effects has been neglected for too long. The placebo and nocebo responses have been described in many neurologic disorders such as Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases, restless leg syndrome, tics, essential tremor, dystonia, functional movement disorders, neuropathic pain, headaches, migraine, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Knowledge regarding placebo mechanisms and their consequences on clinical outcome have greatly improved over the last two decades. This evolution has led to reconsiderations of the importance of placebo response in the clinic and has given several clues on how to improve it in daily practice. In this chapter, we first illustrate "why," e.g. the reasons (relevance to clinical practice, help in differential diagnosis/treatment of psychogenic movements, clinical impact, proven neurobiological grounds, health economic potential), and "how," e.g. the means (increase patients' knowledge, increase learning, improve patient-doctor relationship, increase Hawthorne effect, increase positive/decrease negative expectations (the Rosenthal effect), personalize placebo response), the placebo should be maximized (and nocebo avoided) in neurological clinical practice. Future studies regarding more specific neurobiological mechanisms will allow a finer tuning of placebo response in clinical practice. The use of placebo in clinical practice raises ethical issues, and a recent expert consensus regarding placebo use in the clinic is a first step to future guidelines necessary to this field.
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D'Amico F, Pouillon L, Argollo M, Hart A, Fiorino G, Vegni E, Radice S, Gilardi D, Fazio M, Leone S, Bonovas S, Magro F, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L. Multidisciplinary management of the nocebo effect in biosimilar-treated IBD patients: Results of a workshop from the NOCE-BIO consensus group. Dig Liver Dis 2020; 52:138-142. [PMID: 31812570 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2019.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The high cost of biological drugs for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) considerably impacts on health-care budgets. Since the patent of biological products expired, cheaper biosimilars have entered the market. Available data coming from real-world cohorts and clinical trials indicate that the efficacy and safety of biosimilars is comparable to that of the originator drugs. Treating IBD patients with a biosimilar may be complicated by the risk of the nocebo effect, a negative effect of a pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment, induced by patients's expectations and unrelated to the physiological action of the treatment. The nocebo effect can negatively affect treatment outcomes and hamper the cost-savings of biosimilars. Reducing the nocebo effect requires a multidisciplinary effort of all health-care providers in charge of biosimilar-treated IBD patients. The aim of the review is to reflect the key messages of an international workshop on this topic, including viewpoints from the perspective of physicians, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ailsa Hart
- St Mark's Hospital, Middlesex, London, UK
| | - Gionata Fiorino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy; IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Institute, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Vegni
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Radice
- IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Institute, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Gilardi
- IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Institute, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Fazio
- Pharmacy Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Institute, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Salvo Leone
- European Federation of Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Associations (EFCCA), Brussels, Belgium; Italian Association of Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients (AMICI Onlus), Milan, Italy
| | - Stefanos Bonovas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy; IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Institute, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Silvio Danese
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy; IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Institute, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
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Amanzio M, Palermo S. Pain Anticipation and Nocebo-Related Responses: A Descriptive Mini-Review of Functional Neuroimaging Studies in Normal Subjects and Precious Hints on Pain Processing in the Context of Neurodegenerative Disorders. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:969. [PMID: 31551779 PMCID: PMC6734013 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00969] [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: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The exacerbation of a clinical condition or the occurrence of negative symptoms after an inert substance dispensation or a sham treatment is known as “nocebo effect.” Nocebo is the psychobiological effect due to the negative psychosocial context that accompanies a therapy, and it is a direct consequence of negative expectations by the patients and their own personal characteristics. Although the clinical relevance of the phenomenon is now recognized, a small number of studies have tried to ascertain its neural underpinnings (that it means nocebo responses). Moreover, there is no consensus on the brain networks involved in nocebo processes in humans. In particular, nocebo hyperalgesia has attracted almost no research attention. We conducted a mini-review on the few experimental pain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of nocebo responses to discuss how negative expectancies and conditioning effects engage brain networks to modulate pain experiences. Moreover, we present possible clinical implications considering Alzheimer’s disease and behavioral frontotemporal dementia, in which the existence of a hypothetically disrupted neurocognitive anticipatory network—secondary to an endogenous pain modulatory system damage—may be responsible for pain processing alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Amanzio
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Sara Palermo
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing, Bruxelles, Belgium
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Zech N, Seemann M, Grzesiek M, Breu A, Seyfried TF, Hansen E. Nocebo Effects on Muscular Performance - An Experimental Study About Clinical Situations. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:219. [PMID: 30914952 PMCID: PMC6421283 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Nocebo effects are not only seen in studies of pharmacology and placebo/nocebo research but also in clinical everyday situations. For generation of objective and quantitative data on the impact of negative communication we have evaluated the immediate effects of common sentences, non-verbal signals and situations in the medical context on muscular performance. Methods: In an experimental study, 46 volunteers were tested by dynamometry of the deltoid muscle group to evaluate the maximal muscular strength during arm abduction. Baseline values were compared to performance after exposure to 18 verbal and non-verbal suggestions. Suggestions suspected to be negative were alternated with and compared to positively formulated alternatives. Results: Verbal and non-verbal communication produced significant effects on muscular performance, resulting mainly in weakening. The decrease in muscle strength after risk information for informed consent (91.4% of baseline) was absent, when benefits of the treatment were named coincidently. The weakening effect of asking about "pain" and "nausea" (89.4%), and of the announcement of medical interventions (91.7%) could be avoided with alternative wording. Impairment of muscular performance was also observed with the nocebo-inducers negative memory (89.5%) or uncertain future (93.3%), in contrast to a positive memory or the orientation into the presence. Non-verbal suggestions like overhead anesthesia induction (89.9%), a transport in strict flat supine position (89.1%), or a view from the window to a parking lot (94.1%) significantly reduced maximal muscle strength, whereas face-to face induction, half-sitting position and a view into the landscape did not. 8 out of 9 tested clinical situations reduced maximal arm muscle strength significantly, whereas alternative formulations did not. Conclusion: This study describes a quick, simple and uniform test using objective measurement of maximal muscle strength to allow for identification, quantification, and comparison of negative suggestions, regardless of their specific content and effect. Muscle strength is a clinically relevant parameter with regard to early mobilization, risk of falling and sufficient breathing. Furthermore, the observed impairment of muscular performance could reflect a general "weakening effect" of negative suggestions. In addition, the test facilitates development and verification of appropriate alternatives to prevent nocebo effects in patients, thereby improving patient communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Zech
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Milena Seemann
- Department of Anesthesiology, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Magdalena Grzesiek
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anita Breu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sana Clinics Cham, Cham, Germany
| | - Timo F Seyfried
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ernil Hansen
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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