Placebo Analgesia - Understanding the Mechanisms and Implications for Clinical Practice

Damien G Finniss; Michael K Nicholas; Fabrizio Benedetti

doi:10.1177/204946370900300205

Placebo Analgesia - Understanding the Mechanisms and Implications for Clinical Practice

Rev Pain. 2009 Oct;3(2):15-9. doi: 10.1177/204946370900300205.

Authors

Damien G Finniss¹, Michael K Nicholas¹, Fabrizio Benedetti²

Affiliations

¹ Pain Management and Research Institute University of Sydney and Royal North Shore Hospital Pacific Hwy, St Leonards, 2065, Sydney, NSW Australia.
² Department of Neuroscience Clinical and Applied Physiology Program University of Turin Medical School Turin, Italy.

Abstract

There are neurobiological, cognitive and conditioning processes involved in placebo mechanismsMechanisms research has demonstrated that there is not one placebo effect, but manyPlacebo effects are an inherent element in routine clinical practiceModulation of placebo mechanisms in routine practice could provide an opportunity for improving clinical care.