Summary: Researchers have discovered that nondeceptive placebos—placebos given with the full knowledge that they are placebos—can effectively manage stress, even when administered remotely. In a two-week randomized controlled trial, participants experiencing prolonged stress were divided into two groups: one group received nondeceptive placebos, while the other served as a control.
The study found that those taking nondeceptive placebos reported significant reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression compared to the control group. The results suggest that nondeceptive placebos could be a low-effort yet effective intervention for managing stress and mental health concerns.
Key Facts:
- Nondeceptive placebos significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.
- The trial was conducted remotely, increasing the potential for widespread use.
- Participants found the placebo treatment easy to use and appropriate for stress management.
Source: University of Michigan
A study out of Michigan State University found that nondeceptive placebos, or placebos given with people fully knowing they are placebos, effectively manage stress — even when the placebos are administered remotely.
Researchers recruited participants experiencing prolonged stress from the COVID-19 pandemic for a two-week randomized controlled trial. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to a nondeceptive placebo group and the other half to the control group that took no pills.
The participants interacted with a researcher online through four virtual sessions on Zoom. Those in the nondeceptive placebo group received information on the placebo effect and were sent placebo pills in the mail along with and instructions on taking the pills.
The study, published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, found that the nondeceptive group showed a significant decrease in stress, anxiety and depression in just two weeks compared to the no-treatment control group.
Participants also reported that the nondeceptive placebos were easy to use, not burdensome and appropriate for the situation.
“Exposure to long-term stress can impair a person’s ability to manage emotions and cause significant mental health problems long-term, so we’re excited to see that an intervention that takes minimal effort can still lead to significant benefits,” said Jason Moser, co-author of the study and professor in MSU’s Department of Psychology.
“This minimal burden makes nondeceptive placebos an attractive intervention for those with significant stress, anxiety and depression.”
The researchers are particularly hopeful in the ability to remotely administer the nondeceptive placebos by health care providers.
“This ability to administer nondeceptive placebos remotely increases scalability potential dramatically,” said Darwin Guevarra, co-author of the study and postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, San Francisco.
“Remotely administered nondeceptive placebos have the potential to help individuals struggling with mental health concerns who otherwise would not have access to traditional mental health services.”
About this psychopharmacology and mental health research news
Author: Jack Harrison
Source: University of Michigan
Contact: Jack Harrison – University of Michigan
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Remotely administered non-deceptive placebos reduce COVID-related stress, anxiety, and depression” by Jason Moser et al. Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being
Abstract
Remotely administered non-deceptive placebos reduce COVID-related stress, anxiety, and depression
Research suggests that placebos administered without deception (i.e. non-deceptive placebos) may provide an effective and low-effort intervention to manage stress and improve mental health.
However, whether non-deceptive placebos administered remotely online can manage distress for people at risk for developing high levels of affective symptoms remains unclear.
Volunteers experiencing prolonged stress from the COVID-19 pandemic were recruited into a randomized controlled trial to examine the efficacy of a non-deceptive placebo intervention administered remotely online on affective outcomes. COVID-related stress, overall stress, anxiety, and depression were assessed at baseline, midpoint, and endpoint.
Compared with the control group, participants in the non-deceptive placebo group reported significant reductions from baseline in all primary affective outcomes after 2 weeks. Additionally, participants in the non-deceptive placebo group found the intervention feasible, acceptable, and appropriate for the context.
Non-deceptive placebos, even when administered remotely online, offer an alternative and effective way to help people manage prolonged stress.
Future large-scale studies are needed to determine if non-deceptive placebos can be effective across different prolonged stress situations and for clinical populations.
