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Related Concept Videos

Blind Procedures02:07

Blind Procedures

Ideally, the people who observe and record the children’s behavior are unaware of who was assigned to the experimental or control group, in order to control for experimenter bias. Experimenter bias refers to the possibility that a researcher’s expectations might skew the results of the study. Remember, conducting an experiment requires a lot of planning, and the people involved in the research project have a vested interest in supporting their hypotheses. If the observers knew which child was...
The Placebo Effect01:54

The Placebo Effect

The placebo effect occurs when people's expectations or beliefs influence or determine their experience in a given situation. In other words, simply expecting something to happen can actually make it happen.
Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System01:18

Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an intricate network of nerves that controls functions such as the regulation of heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure regulation. When this system malfunctions, it can lead to various disorders that affect multiple bodily functions. One common feature of many autonomic disorders is the involvement of smooth blood vessels, which play a crucial role in regulating blood flow throughout the body.
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's phenomenon, is a...
Blinding01:11

Blinding

Blinding is a commonly used method of not telling participants which treatment a subject is receiving. Blinding is a critical part of a randomized control trial or RCT. It reduces the bias that affects the results. In an RCT, blinding is used in the form of a placebo. A placebo effect occurs when untreated subjects falsely believe they have received the treatment and report improved symptoms. A placebo or a dummy treatment is administered to subjects to negate the bias caused by such an effect.
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure01:28

Special considerations while measuring blood pressure

When assessing blood pressure (BP), healthcare professionals must consider various factors and potential unexpected outcomes to ensure accurate readings and provide proper patient care. Adhering to these guidelines is essential to achieving the most reliable results.
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

How to Study Placebo Responses in Motion Sickness with a Rotation Chair Paradigm in Healthy Participants
08:50

How to Study Placebo Responses in Motion Sickness with a Rotation Chair Paradigm in Healthy Participants

Published on: December 14, 2014

Autonomic effects of suggestive placebo interventions to increase or decrease blood pressure: a randomized controlled

Frank Zimmermann-Viehoff1, Karin Meissner, Julia Koch

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Germany. frank.zimmermann@charite.de

Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|June 12, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Suggestive placebo interventions did not alter blood pressure (BP) or heart rate in healthy individuals. While some autonomic responses varied, specific verbal suggestions did not significantly impact BP, indicating limited placebo effects on these physiological measures.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

How to Study Placebo Responses in Motion Sickness with a Rotation Chair Paradigm in Healthy Participants
08:50

How to Study Placebo Responses in Motion Sickness with a Rotation Chair Paradigm in Healthy Participants

Published on: December 14, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Psychoneuroimmunology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Research
  • Clinical Trial Methodology

Background:

  • Placebo effects are well-documented for subjective experiences like pain.
  • Evidence for placebo effects on autonomic functions, such as blood pressure, is limited.
  • Investigating autonomic responses to suggestive placebo interventions is crucial for understanding mind-body interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine autonomic nervous system responses to a placebo intervention designed to alter blood pressure (BP).
  • To determine if specific verbal suggestions can influence BP and other autonomic parameters.
  • To assess the impact of placebo on physiological measures beyond subjective reporting.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized-controlled trial involving 92 healthy subjects.
  • Administration of a placebo spray with suggestions to increase or decrease BP, or a neutral placebo (control).
  • Monitoring of BP, heart rate, stroke volume, peripheral resistance, heart rate variability, and skin conductance before and after intervention.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in BP, heart rate, stroke volume, total peripheral resistance, or heart rate variability between groups based on suggestions.
  • Skin conductance response was higher in the BP decrease group versus controls (p=0.04), potentially due to chance.
  • BP, total peripheral resistance, and skin conductance increased post-placebo spray across all groups, irrespective of suggestion.

Conclusions:

  • Specific verbal suggestions in placebo interventions do not appear to affect blood pressure in healthy individuals.
  • The study found no significant evidence for targeted autonomic responses to suggestive placebo interventions.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of placebo effects on autonomic functions.