Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2014 Apr;25(2):37-42.

Psychiatric Applications of Placebos

• Sohn I
• Kim I

Abstract

As the placebo effect is inevitable in almost all types of treatment implemented in the context of the doctor-patient relationship, it would be a wise strategy to try to enhance the treatment effect by understanding its mechanism and applying it clinically. However, for various reasons there is resistance to therapeutical application of placebos. The main reason for this resistance comes from the confusion about the concept of the placebo, and it is necessary to differentiate the placebo response and the placebo effect and understand them clearly. Meta-analytical reviews of clinical studies showed that the placebo effect accounts for part of clinical effect of drugs. Authors reviewed meta-analytic studies dealing with the placebo effect on depression, sleep disorders, dementia, anxiety and addiction. In addition, we discussed the current state of placebo use and also the way to promote the placebo effect.

Keyword

Placebo; Antidepressants; Hawthorne effect

MeSH Terms

Antidepressive Agents
Anxiety
Dementia
Depression
Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic
Placebo Effect
Placebos*
Sleep Wake Disorders
Antidepressive Agents
Placebos