Psych

Placebo Effect

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Placebo Effect, Placebo

  • Definition
  1. Therapy not relevant to condition being treated
  2. Dummy medication used for control group
  3. Latin derivation: I will please
  • General
  1. Response to Placebo: 20-30% of study participants
  • Efficacy
  1. Meta-analysis shows no therapeutic benefit
  2. Avoid in clinical practice (aside from studies)
  3. References
    1. Hrobjartsson (2001) N Engl J Med 344:1594-602 [PubMed]