PLACEBOS: OUR MOST EFFECTIVE THERAPY?
Main Article Content
Keywords
.
Abstract
Placebos remain highly controversial therapies largely because of their widespread use in research as a comparator rather than a focus of analysis. While a recent systematic review of placebo versus no therapy arms in trials found no difference, the placebo effect in some areas of drug trial research is large and increasing. We attempt to explain this paradox and suggest how clinicians may use the placebo effect to advantage.
References
1. Papakostas YG, Daras MD. Placebos, placebo effect, and the response to the healing situation: the evolution of a concept. Epilepsia 2001;42:1614-25.
2. Ernst E, Resch KL. Concept of true and perceived placebo effects. BMJ 1995;311:551-3.
3. Hrobjartsson A, Gotzsche PC. Is the placebo powerless? An analysis of clinical trials comparing placebo with no treatment. N.Engl.J.Med 2001;344:1594- 602.
4. Wall PD. The placebo effect: an unpopular topic. Pain 1992;51:1-3.
5. Brody H, Waters DB. Diagnosis is treatment. J.Fam.Pract. 1980;10:445-9.
6. Benson H, Friedman R. Harnessing the power of the placebo effect and renaming it "remembered wellness". Annu.Rev.Med 1996;47:193-9.
7. Ernst E. Towards a risk-benefit evaluation of placebos. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift 1998;148:461-3.
2. Ernst E, Resch KL. Concept of true and perceived placebo effects. BMJ 1995;311:551-3.
3. Hrobjartsson A, Gotzsche PC. Is the placebo powerless? An analysis of clinical trials comparing placebo with no treatment. N.Engl.J.Med 2001;344:1594- 602.
4. Wall PD. The placebo effect: an unpopular topic. Pain 1992;51:1-3.
5. Brody H, Waters DB. Diagnosis is treatment. J.Fam.Pract. 1980;10:445-9.
6. Benson H, Friedman R. Harnessing the power of the placebo effect and renaming it "remembered wellness". Annu.Rev.Med 1996;47:193-9.
7. Ernst E. Towards a risk-benefit evaluation of placebos. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift 1998;148:461-3.