HOnest Placebos With Explanations: Evaluating Open-Label Placebos for Chronic Pain
Optimizing Open Placebos for Chronic Pain Patients
Rhode Island Hospital
340 participants
Mar 1, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
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
Inclusion Criteria5
- chronic pain (pain lasting at least 3 months, pain intensity 4/10 or over and interference 3/10 or over)
- at least 18 years old
- English speaking
- have a smartphone or computer with video access
- the chronic pain is concentrated into the patient's lower back (tentative criteria based on recruitment rate)
Exclusion Criteria4
- Have chronic pain because of a cancer diagnosis
- Over 89 years of age
- Suspect an allergy to any placebo ingredient
- Currently receiving worker's compensation.
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Interventions
Open-label placebo pill for 21 days at 2 per day
Scientific rationale about the placebo effect
Mindfulness based rationale
Basic epidemiological information about chronic pain to achieve structural equivalence for the control groups
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT06931158