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Trait responsiveness to verbal suggestions predicts nocebo responding: A meta-analysis
Madeline V Stein1, Monika Heller2, Sarah Chapman3
1Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
British Journal of Health Psychology
|December 21, 2024
Summary
Highly suggestible individuals experience greater nocebo responses, where adverse health outcomes arise from contextual cues. This meta-analysis confirms suggestibility influences nocebo effects, impacting symptom perception and induction.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Nocebo responses involve negative health outcomes triggered by contextual cues, showing significant individual variability.
- While suggestion is known to contribute to nocebo effects, the specific role of suggestibility (trait responsiveness to suggestions) is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively synthesize existing research on the association between suggestibility and nocebo responding through a pre-registered meta-analysis.
- To clarify the moderating role of individual differences in suggestibility on nocebo effects.
Main Methods:
- A systematic search of four electronic databases was conducted for studies assessing both suggestibility and symptom reports.
- Thirteen correlations from 10 articles were analyzed using random-effects meta-analysis.
Main Results:
- A weak but significant positive correlation (r = .21) was found between suggestibility and nocebo responses.
- Individuals with higher suggestibility reported larger nocebo effects.
- Higher methodological quality, including blinding, was associated with stronger effect sizes.
Conclusions:
- Trait suggestibility positively influences nocebo responding, confirming its role in adverse health outcomes.
- Suggestibility warrants further attention for understanding symptom induction and perception.
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