Finding effective ways to use honest placebos for chronic pain relief
Optimizing open placebos for chronic pain patients
This study is exploring how open-label placebos, which are explained to participants as a way to help with chronic pain, might be a helpful alternative to opioids, and it aims to find out which explanations work best for relieving pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10923925 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of open-label placebos (OLPs) as a potential alternative to opioids for treating chronic pain. Participants will receive a clear explanation of how placebos can work, based on a structured discussion with researchers. The study aims to identify which types of explanations for OLPs lead to the greatest pain relief. By optimizing the rationale provided to patients, the research seeks to enhance the effectiveness of OLPs in managing chronic pain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are experiencing chronic pain and currently using opioids.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have chronic pain or are not currently using opioids may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safe and effective non-opioid treatment option for individuals suffering from chronic pain.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that open-label placebos can effectively treat chronic pain, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Rhode Island Hospital — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bernstein, Michael Harrison — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Bernstein, Michael Harrison
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.