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Open-label placebos reduce weight in obesity: a randomized controlled trial
Michael Schaefer1, Anja Kühnel2, Sören Enge2
1MSB Medical School Berlin, Rüdesheimer Str. 50, 14197, Berlin, Germany. michael.schaefer@medicalschool-berlin.de.
Scientific Reports
|September 12, 2024
Summary
Open-label placebos (OLPs) may aid weight loss in obesity. In a study, patients receiving OLPs alongside diet and exercise lost more weight than those without pills.
Area of Science:
- Obesity research
- Behavioral medicine
- Psychoneuroimmunology
Background:
- Obesity is a global health concern requiring diverse interventions.
- Traditional placebos can aid weight loss but pose ethical challenges.
- Open-label placebos (OLPs), used without deception, show promise for various symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of open-label placebos (OLPs) in promoting weight loss among overweight and obese individuals.
- To assess the impact of OLPs on eating behavior and self-management abilities in the context of weight loss.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 57 overweight/obese patients undergoing diet and exercise.
- One group received daily OLPs, while the control group received no placebo.
- Primary outcome: change in body weight; Secondary outcomes: changes in eating behavior and self-management.
Main Results:
- The OLP group exhibited significantly greater weight loss compared to the treatment-as-usual group after 4 weeks.
- Open-label placebo treatment positively influenced eating behavior.
- No significant effects were observed on self-management abilities.
Conclusions:
- Open-label placebos show potential as an adjunct therapy for weight management in obesity.
- OLPs may influence weight loss through mechanisms affecting eating behavior.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore underlying mechanisms.
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