Optimizing Open Placebos for Chronic Pain Patients

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effect of rationale condition when taking open-label placebos on pain by 1) comparing each rationale to the no rationale control condition and the no treatment control condition; and 2) comparing the rationale conditions to each other. We also aim to examine the effect of rationale condition on prescription opioid use by 1) comparing each rationale to the no rationale control condition and the no treatment control condition; and 2) comparing the rationale conditions to each other. This study will include patients with chronic low back pain. The main question it aims to answer is: How do rationales influence the effects of open-label placebos? Researchers will compare different rationales given when taking an open-label placebo and a no-treatment group and a no rationale group taking OLPs.

Eligibility

Age range

18–89 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Drug
  Open-label Placebo

  Open-label placebo pill for 21 days at 2 per day

• Behavioral
  Standard Rationale

  Scientific rationale about the placebo effect

• Behavioral
  Mindfulness

  Mindfulness based rationale

• Behavioral
  Control Rationale

  Basic epidemiological information about chronic pain to achieve structural equivalence for the control groups

Location