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Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
A single definition of placebo is difficult. It is an intervention with no beneficial or therapeutic effect. Placebo response is any useful effect that cannot be attributed to the specific intended effect.
Main theories explaining this are:
Classical conditioning: patients get relief as going to a physician is associated with pain relief. This is similar to Pavlov’s conditioning reflex. The medicine, tablets and sight of doctors act as conditional stimuli and analgesic effect is the unconditional response.
Response expectancy theory: patients expect pain relief so that they get better. Manipulation of expectancy can be achieved by verbal instruction to achieve placebo response.
Meaning model theory: active attention to patient’s illness by physician, care and compassion from the environment around and control in decision making by the patient all contribute to placebo effect.Related posts:
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