Editorial: Harnessing placebo mechanisms.

Abstract

The placebo phenomenon is receiving increasing attention because of the high translational value of basic research that can effectively translates into better study designs and symptoms management (1). This Theme Issue collection represents current trends in placebo research by focusing on two main strategies: (1) characterizing temporal effects, and (2) identify neuropsychobiological factors that can be used to subgroup individuals in clinical research for personalized treatments or interventions. The present collection predominantly focuses on placebo and nocebo effects associated with pain-related outcomes that were presented at the 3rd International conference of the Society for Placebo Studies (SIPS) in 2021. The first major section comprises of six studies that examined placebo and nocebo effects, with a focus on contextual features and individual predictors to be considered in designing rigorous research in these areas. The second major section is comprised of another six studies that investigated the potential for use of techniques that elicit nocebo and or placebo responses in clinical practice, with a focus on treating acute and chronic pain.