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Generalisation of Placebo and Nocebo Effects: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
Lingling Weng1,2,3, Kaya J Peerdeman2,3, Antoinette I M van Laarhoven2,3
1School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
European Journal of Pain (London, England)
|May 9, 2025
Summary
Placebo and nocebo effects, which influence treatment outcomes, can generalize across different stimuli and responses. Further research is needed to understand these carryover effects in clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Medicine
Background:
- Placebo and nocebo effects are outcomes from inert treatments, commonly studied in pain.
- Generalization of these effects to other sensations remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on stimulus and response generalization of placebo and nocebo effects.
- To examine generalization across pain, itch, dyspnea, nausea, and fatigue.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO.
- Included experimental studies in humans on placebo/nocebo effect induction and generalization.
Main Results:
- 23 studies indicated placebo/nocebo effects generalize over stimuli and responses within modalities.
- Generalization was stronger with similar stimuli/responses and when using combined suggestion/conditioning.
- Effects on itch, dyspnea, nausea, and fatigue were less studied than pain.
Conclusions:
- Placebo and nocebo effects demonstrate generalization over stimuli and responses.
- More research is needed to understand and manage these carryover effects in healthcare.
- Findings can help clinicians prevent negative carryover and leverage positive effects.
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