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Addition of open-label placebo treatment may reduce chronic back pain
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Investigators of this study found open-label placebo treatment added to usual treatment, such as NSAIDs, may be helpful for reducing chronic low back pain.
Researchers performed a randomized controlled trial of 83 patients with chronic low back pain to compare outcomes between treatment as usual (TAU) alone, which included NSAID use or use of other medications, and open-label placebo plus TAU. Three Numeric Rating Scales were used to assess the severity of pain and included maximum pain, minimum pain and usual pain. Investigators also assessed composite, primary outcome and total pain scores. The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire was used to measure back-related dysfunction. Some patients who underwent TAU alone agreed to use open-label placebo at a 3-week follow-up. Following the additional 3-week follow-up, they were administered the questionnaire again after 21 days.
Results showed open-label placebo yielded a greater reduction of pain compared to TAU alone for each of the Numeric Rating Scales and composite pain scale score. In addition, placebo treatment had moderate to large effect sizes. In the TAU alone group, the composite pain score reduction was 0.2 for the Numeric Rating Scales vs. 1.5 in the open-label placebo group. Investigators noted greater improvement in disability scores for patients treated with open-label placebo vs. TAU. Disability improved 2.9 in patients treated with the open-label placebo and 0.0 in patients treated with TAU alone. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: Carvalho reports she receives a postdoctoral grant from the Foundation for the Science of the Therapeutic Encounter. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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Carvalho C, et al. Pain. 2016;doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000700.
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