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Placebo effects in children with autism spectrum disorder
Aurore Curie1, Tim F Oberlander2, Karin B Jensen3
1Reference Center for Intellectual Disability from Rare Causes, Department of Child Neurology, Woman Mother and Child Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France.
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|March 14, 2023
Summary
Placebo effects are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) trials, often influenced by caregivers or clinicians. Understanding these placebo-by-proxy mechanisms is key for better ASD research and care.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Placebo responses are prevalent in clinical research but understudied in neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibits significant placebo responses in clinical trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the placebo effect in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- To explore the potential role of placebo-by-proxy mechanisms in ASD.
- To discuss implications for ASD research design and clinical care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of placebo and nocebo effects in ASD.
- Analysis of placebo-by-proxy mechanisms in pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders.
Main Results:
- Placebo responses are demonstrably present in ASD clinical trials.
- The placebo-by-proxy effect, where caregivers influence outcomes, is a likely contributor in ASD.
- Limited empirical data exists on the nocebo effect in ASD.
Conclusions:
- Understanding placebo and nocebo effects can refine ASD clinical trial designs (e.g., three-armed studies).
- Improved knowledge can lead to more effective treatments and optimized care delivery for individuals with ASD.
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