AI Article Synopsis

  • The study explored how positively framed information about side effects might reduce nocebo effects compared to negatively framed information.
  • Participants received a sham treatment and either positive or negative information about potential side effects, which affected their reported symptoms during the study but not at follow-up.
  • Positive framing was found to lessen short-term side effect symptoms, but the effect faded after 24 hours, suggesting that expectations about side effects did not change significantly between framing conditions.

Article Abstract

Background: One contributing factor to the development of nocebo effects is information provided about possible side effects. However, nondisclosure of information can be problematic.

Purpose: We assessed whether positively framed side effect information (highlighting likelihood of not experiencing side effects) can reduce nocebo effects compared to negatively framed information (highlighting likelihood of experiencing side effects).

Methods: One hundred twelve participants took part in research ostensibly assessing the influence of benzodiazepines (actually sham capsules) on anxiety. Participants were randomized to receive a sham capsule with positively or negatively framed information about four side effects, or a no-treatment control condition. Side effect expectations were assessed after information provision. Framed side effects and other unmentioned symptoms were assessed during the session and 24-hr follow-up.

Results: Nocebo effects occurred in symptoms presented as side effects (regardless of framing) during the study session and follow-up (ps < .003). At follow-up, there was also a nocebo effect in other unmentioned symptoms (p = .018). Positive framing reduced side effect symptoms compared with negative framing during the study session (p = .037), but this effect was no longer present at follow-up (p = .53). Side effect expectations did not differ between the framing conditions (p = .14).

Conclusions: Positive framing reduced side effects short-term, but not at follow-up. Expectations did not differ between negative and positive framing. Nocebo effects appeared to generalize to other unmentioned symptoms over a 24-hr period. Further research is needed to determine whether the initial impact of positive framing can be maintained over time.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/abm/kay071DOI Listing

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