Abstract
The current experiment examined whether having choice over treatment options facilitates or inhibits the strength of placebo
expectations in the context of pain perception. All participants were exposed to an aversive stimulus (i.e., the cold pressor
task), and participants in some conditions were given expectations for two pain-relieving treatments (actually the same inert
ointment mixture). Critically, participants in these expectation conditions were also given a choice or not about which of
the two treatments they preferred to use. Participants in a control condition were not provided with a treatment expectation.
Despite receiving the same inert treatment, participants who had a choice over treatments showed increased placebo analgesia
as compared to participants not given a choice and participants in the control condition. Moreover, this effect was mediated
by changes in anxiety. Explanations and implications for these results are discussed.
expectations in the context of pain perception. All participants were exposed to an aversive stimulus (i.e., the cold pressor
task), and participants in some conditions were given expectations for two pain-relieving treatments (actually the same inert
ointment mixture). Critically, participants in these expectation conditions were also given a choice or not about which of
the two treatments they preferred to use. Participants in a control condition were not provided with a treatment expectation.
Despite receiving the same inert treatment, participants who had a choice over treatments showed increased placebo analgesia
as compared to participants not given a choice and participants in the control condition. Moreover, this effect was mediated
by changes in anxiety. Explanations and implications for these results are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10865-011-9374-0
- Authors
- Jason P. Rose, Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Mail Stop #948, 2801 Bancroft St., Toledo, OH 43606-3390, USA
- Andrew L. Geers, Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Mail Stop #948, 2801 Bancroft St., Toledo, OH 43606-3390, USA
- Heather M. Rasinski, Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Mail Stop #948, 2801 Bancroft St., Toledo, OH 43606-3390, USA
- Stephanie L. Fowler, Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Mail Stop #948, 2801 Bancroft St., Toledo, OH 43606-3390, USA
- Journal Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1573-3521
- Print ISSN 0160-7715