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Related Experiment Videos

Classic conditioning and placebo effects in crossover studies.

A L Suchman1, R Ader

  • 1Department of Medicine, Highland Hospital, Rochester, NY 14620.

Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|October 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary

This study found that placebo effects in hypertension patients were stronger after drug exposure, supporting a conditioning model. These findings suggest that classical conditioning influences how patients respond to treatments.

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Psychology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Placebo effects can be influenced by classical conditioning.
  • Previous research suggests conditioning may play a role in therapeutic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate evidence of classically conditioned placebo effects.
  • To test if placebo response is greater after drug exposure compared to before.

Main Methods:

  • A placebo-controlled crossover study involving 24 patients with essential hypertension.
  • Patients were assigned to groups receiving placebo then atenolol, atenolol then placebo, or atenolol then no treatment.
  • Blood pressure and heart rate were monitored at home and by a research nurse.

Main Results:

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  • No significant difference in antihypertensive response between placebo and no treatment before drug exposure.
  • A significantly greater antihypertensive response to placebo after atenolol treatment compared to no treatment.
  • Conditioned placebo response exceeded residual drug effects, particularly for heart rate.

Conclusions:

  • The results support a conditioning model for placebo effects in hypertension.
  • Further research in larger populations and diverse disease models is warranted.