Placebo effects during the waiting period for psychotherapy in patients with depression
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Published:2023-01-05
Issue:36
Volume:42
Page:32024-32029
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ISSN:1046-1310
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Container-title:Current Psychology
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Curr Psychol
Author:
Schienle AnneORCID, Jurinec Nina
Abstract
AbstractPatients with mental health problems typically have to wait for psychological therapies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a placebo administered to patients with depression while they were waiting for cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sixty-seven patients were randomly assigned to a three-week waiting period with or without treatment with a take-home placebo for daily usage (herbal medicine to mobilize the body’s natural healing powers to be taken orally). Symptoms of depression (self-rated and clinician-rated) were assessed at the beginning and end of the waiting period. Moreover, each week the patients evaluated levels of energy, concentration, relaxation, well-being, and sleep quality. The placebo group showed a greater reduction in symptoms of depression (self-rated and clinician-rated) compared to the standard group. Moreover, placebo treatment was associated with improved overall well-being during the waiting period. In conclusion, placebo treatment can make the wait time for psychotherapy more tolerable for patients with depression.Clinical trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00028118)
Funder
University of Graz
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
General Psychology
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