Description
Kaptchuk et al investigate whether placebo effects can experimentally be separated into the response to three components--assessment and observation, a therapeutic ritual, and a supportive patient-practitioner relationship--and then progressively combined to produce incremental clinical improvement in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Results show that factors contributing to the placebo effect can be progressively combined in a manner resembling a graded dose escalation of component parts. Non-specific effects can produce statistically and clinically significant outcomes and the patient-practitioner relationship is the most robust component.
2008-05