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Ooghe A, Liu X, Robbins S, Eyles JP, Deveza LA, Branders S, Clermont F, Pereira A, Hunter DJ. Report of similar placebo response in one internet versus onsite randomised controlled trials from the literature. OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE OPEN 2024; 6:100474. [PMID: 38737983 PMCID: PMC11088186 DOI: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2024.100474] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to compare the magnitude and the predictors of the placebo response in an internet versus onsite randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in people with hand osteoarthritis (HOA). Method This study is a post-hoc analysis based on one internet RCT (RADIANT) and previously published onsite RCTs for HOA identified through a rigorous searching and selection strategy. The magnitude of the placebo response in the two different types of RCTs were compared using heterogeneity statistics and forest plots visualisation. Classic placebo predictors as well as a combined model, defined with data from onsite RCTs, were tested to predict the placebo response. Results We analysed the dataset from RADIANT and fourteen previously published onsite RCTs. None of the analyses showed a significant difference between the placebo response for the internet versus onsite RCTs. The "classic" placebo predictors combined in a multivariate predictive model correlated significantly with the placebo response measured in RADIANT study. Conclusion Despite the absence of face-to-face interactions with the study personnel, there is no evidence that either the magnitude or the predictors of the placebo response of this internet RCT differ from those of onsite RCTs. This analysis is considered as a first step towards evaluating the difference between these designs and strengthens the argument that internet RCTs remain an acceptable alternative way to assess the efficacy of an active treatment in comparison to a placebo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Ooghe
- Cognivia, 11 rue Granbonpré, Bte 9 - 1435 Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium
| | - Xiaoqian Liu
- Rheumatology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah Robbins
- Rheumatology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Jillian P. Eyles
- Rheumatology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Leticia A. Deveza
- Rheumatology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Samuel Branders
- Cognivia, 11 rue Granbonpré, Bte 9 - 1435 Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Clermont
- Cognivia, 11 rue Granbonpré, Bte 9 - 1435 Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium
| | - Alvaro Pereira
- Cognivia, 11 rue Granbonpré, Bte 9 - 1435 Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium
| | - David J. Hunter
- Rheumatology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Australia
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2
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Pontén M, Jonsjö M, Vadenmark V, Moberg E, Grannas D, Andersson G, Boersma K, Hedman-Lagerlöf E, Kleinstaeuber M, Weise C, Kaldo V, Ljótsson B, Andersson E, Axelsson E, Jensen K. Association between expectations and clinical outcomes in online v. face-to-face therapy - an individual participant data meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2024; 54:1207-1214. [PMID: 37905404 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723003033] [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] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Online treatments are increasing in number and are currently available for a wide range of clinical problems. To date little is known about the role of treatment expectations and other placebo-like mechanisms in online settings compared to traditional face-to-face treatment. To address this knowledge gap, we analyzed individual participant data from randomized clinical trials that compared online and face-to-face psychological interventions. METHODS MEDLINE (Ovid) and PsycINFO (Ovid) were last searched on 2 February 2021. Randomized clinical trials of therapist guided online v. face-to-face psychological interventions for psychiatric or somatic conditions using a randomized controlled design were included. Titles, abstracts, and full texts of studies were independently screened by multiple observers. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guideline was followed. Authors of the matching trials were contacted for individual participant data. Ratings from the Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire and the primary outcome measure from each trial were used to estimate the association between expectation ratings and treatment outcomes in online v. face-to-face interventions, using a mixed-effects model. RESULTS Of 7045 screened studies, 62 full-text articles were retrieved whereof six studies fulfilled the criteria and provided individual participant data (n = 491). Overall, CEQ ratings predicted clinical outcomes (β = 0.27) at end of treatment with no moderating effect of treatment modality (online v. face-to-face). CONCLUSIONS Online treatment appears to be equally susceptible to expectancy effects as face-to-face therapy. This furthers our understanding of the importance of placebo-like factors in online treatment and may aid the improvement of healthcare in online settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moa Pontén
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Martin Jonsjö
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Medical Unit Medical Psychology, Theme Women's Health and Allied Health Professionals, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Solna, Sweden
| | - Viktor Vadenmark
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Erica Moberg
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - David Grannas
- Biostatistics Core Facility, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Gerhard Andersson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Katja Boersma
- School of Law, Psychology and Social Work, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | | | | | - Cornelia Weise
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Viktor Kaldo
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Brjánn Ljótsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Erik Andersson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Erland Axelsson
- Liljeholmen Primary Health Care Center, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Academic Primary Health Care Center, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Karin Jensen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
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Blythe JS, Thomaidou MA, Peerdeman KJ, van Laarhoven AI, van Schothorst MM, Veldhuijzen DS, Evers AW. Placebo effects on cutaneous pain and itch: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental results and methodology. Pain 2023; 164:1181-1199. [PMID: 36718994 PMCID: PMC10184563 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Placebo effects, positive treatment outcomes that go beyond treatment processes, can alter sensations through learning mechanisms. Understanding how methodological factors contribute to the magnitude of placebo effects will help define the mechanisms by which these effects occur. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental placebo studies in cutaneous pain and itch in healthy samples, focused on how differences in methodology contribute to the resulting placebo effect magnitude. We conducted meta-analyses by learning mechanism and sensation, namely, for classical conditioning with verbal suggestion, verbal suggestion alone, and observational learning, separately for pain and itch. We conducted subgroup analyses and meta-regression on the type of sensory stimuli, placebo treatment, number of acquisition and evocation trials, differences in calibrated intensities for placebo and control stimuli during acquisition, age, and sex. We replicated findings showing that a combination of classical conditioning with verbal suggestion induced larger placebo effects on pain ( k = 68, g = 0 . 59) than verbal suggestion alone ( k = 39, g = 0.38) and found a smaller effect for itch with verbal suggestion alone ( k = 7, g = 0.14). Using sham electrodes as placebo treatments corresponded with larger placebo effects on pain than when topical gels were used. Other methodological and demographic factors did not significantly affect placebo magnitudes. Placebo effects on pain and itch reliably occur in experimental settings with varied methods, and conditioning with verbal suggestion produced the strongest effects. Although methods may shape the placebo effect to some extent, these effects appear robust overall, and their underlying learning mechanisms may be harnessed for applications outside the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S. Blythe
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mia A. Thomaidou
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Kaya J. Peerdeman
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Antoinette I.M. van Laarhoven
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Dieuwke S. Veldhuijzen
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea W.M. Evers
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Medical Delta Healthy Society, Leiden University, Technical University Delft, and Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Blease CR, Delbanco T, Torous J, Ponten M, DesRoches CM, Hagglund M, Walker J, Kirsch I. Sharing clinical notes, and placebo and nocebo effects: Can documentation affect patient health? J Health Psychol 2020; 27:135-146. [PMID: 32772861 DOI: 10.1177/1359105320948588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper connects findings from the field of placebo studies with research into patients' interactions with their clinician's visit notes, housed in their electronic health records. We propose specific hypotheses about how features of clinicians' written notes might trigger mechanisms of placebo and nocebo effects to elicit positive or adverse health effects among patients. Bridging placebo studies with (a) survey data assaying patient and clinician experiences with portals and (b) randomized controlled trials provides preliminary support for our hypotheses. We conclude with actionable proposals for testing our understanding of the health effects of access to visit notes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tom Delbanco
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John Torous
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Catherine M DesRoches
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria Hagglund
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Walker
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Irving Kirsch
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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5
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Bernstein MH, Locher C, Kube T, Buergler S, Stewart-Ferrer S, Blease C. Putting the 'Art' Into the 'Art of Medicine': The Under-Explored Role of Artifacts in Placebo Studies. Front Psychol 2020; 11:1354. [PMID: 32774310 PMCID: PMC7387723 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Research in social psychology demonstrates that physical environmental factors – or “artifacts” such as provider clothing and office décor – can influence health outcomes. However, the role of artifacts in augmenting or diminishing health outcomes is under-explored in the burgeoning discipline of placebo studies. In this paper, we argue that a careful consideration of artifacts may carry significant potential in informing how placebo effects can be maximized, and nocebo effects minimized in clinical settings. We discuss the potential mechanisms, including classical conditioning, response expectancy, and mindsets, by which artifacts might enhance or diminish these effects. Next, we propose testable hypotheses to investigate how placebo and nocebo effects might be elicited by artifacts in care settings, and conclude by providing innovative research designs to advance this novel research agendum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Bernstein
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Cosima Locher
- School of Psychology, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom.,Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Kube
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Pain and Psychotherapy Research Lab, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Sarah Buergler
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sif Stewart-Ferrer
- Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Blease
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Colloca L. How do placebo effects and patient-clinician relationships influence behaviors and clinical outcomes? Pain Rep 2019; 4:e758. [PMID: 31583366 PMCID: PMC6749893 DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000000758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luana Colloca
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
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