Posted by ed_uk2010 on February 16, 2015, at 8:35:40
In reply to Interesting things which affect the placebo effect, posted by ed_uk2010 on February 16, 2015, at 7:06:05
As well as being double blind, I think it's important for trials to minimise the placebo response. It's difficult to find out whether a drug works if a high proportion of participants are responding whatever they are given. Maximising the placebo response in very useful in the clinic, but problematic in trials.
To minimise the placebo response in trials, companies should:
Use plain white tablets for the active and placebo group. The packaging should always be plain. The dose should be given using as few tablets as possible. Creating the impression of receiving a high dose may increase the placebo response.
Avoid recruiting patients with mild illness likely to remit spontaneously. In depression trials, pts should have had fairly constant symptoms for many weeks or months.
Avoid excessively 'lush' environments for care during the trial. Consultations should be as similar to normal practice as possible.
The proportion of patients receiving the active treatment and placebo should be evenly distributed.
poster:ed_uk2010
thread:1076696
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20150129/msgs/1076731.html