Can observational learning reinforce open-label placebo hypoalgesia?

Previous research has indicated that an open-label placebo can reduce pain in both healthy participants and patients with chronic pain. Because nondeceptive placebos seem to be an effective and more ethical alternative to deceptive placebos, optimizing this kind of treatment is essential. Observational learning was previously shown to induce the deceptive placebo effect; therefore, this study aimed to verify its effectiveness in fortifying the open-label placebo effect.

Age as a moderator in the interplay among locus of control, coping, and quality of life of people with chronic pain.

Objective: Identifying the factors that determine the quality of life of patients with chronic pain is an integral part of developing interventions to reduce the negative impact of persistent pain. Locus of control (LoC) could play an important role in adaptation to prolonged pain, but the results of studies are inconsistent. We examined the link between pain LoC and quality of life.

Treatment of last resort? Psychological therapy seeking in chronic pain patients.

Objective: Our goal was to assess how many chronic pain patients seek psychological treatment for their condition and what psychological and demographic characteristics are associated with that decision.

Methods: The association between pain intensity, quality of life and psychological treatment seeking was tested in two hypothetical models which differed according to beliefs about either external or internal control over pain.

Results: A minority of patients had experience with psychological treatment of chronic pain.

Red induces hyperalgesia and white induces hypoalgesia regardless of pain modality.

Colors are an important factor that influences different aspects of people's lives. However, little is known about the effects of colors on pain. This preregistered study aimed to investigate whether the type of pain affects the impact of colors on pain intensity.

From past pain to future pain through the pain of others: Information about other people's pain ratings can alleviate our subsequent pain.

Background: Previous studies have shown that pain memories have a profound impact on subsequent pain experiences. This study investigated whether pain ratings derived from other people can modify an individual's memory of past pain. This study also examined whether pain memory modified by others' pain ratings determines subsequent pain experiences.

Development and cross-national investigation of a model explaining participation in WHO-recommended and placebo behaviours to prevent COVID-19 infection.

To protect themselves from COVID-19, people follow the recommendations of the authorities, but they also resort to placebos. To stop the virus, it is important to understand the factors underlying both types of preventive behaviour. This study examined whether our model (developed based on the Health Belief Model and the Transactional Model of Stress) can explain participation in WHO-recommended and placebo actions during the pandemic.

When one suffers less, all suffer less: Individual pain ratings are more effective than group ratings in producing placebo hypoalgesia.

Background: Placebo hypoalgesia can be induced by observing a person (model) whose pain relief is the result of the use of an inert substance or procedure. This study examined whether verbal modelling, that is, showing pain ratings provided by other people, is sufficient to induce placebo hypoalgesia.

Methods: Participants from the experimental groups were acquainted with pain ratings (presented on VASs) derived from a single person (groups 1 and 3) or a group of people (groups 2 and 4) that were allegedly subjected to the same painful procedure.

The Role of the Observers' Perception of a Model's Self-Confidence in Observationally Induced Placebo Analgesia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a model's self-confidence as well as the observer's self-esteem and self-efficacy on observationally acquired placebo analgesia. In addition, we aimed to verify the stability of the placebo effect induced by observational learning. Participants (n = 60) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a self-confident model, an unself-confident model, and a control group.