Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 and up

Exploring how awareness and subjectivity influence the placebo effect during exercise

Official title: Evaluating the Impact of Perceived Control on Placebo Effectiveness: A Comparison Between Classic and Self-Administered Placebo Paradigms

Run by Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ETS · NCT06533137 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing how being aware of the placebo effect and personal feelings can change how tired people feel during exercise.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment84 (estimated)
SponsorFondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ETS
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Milan)
StatusRecruiting
StartedNovember 28, 2022
Main results expectedDecember 1, 2022
Study endsDecember 31, 2024
Registry record updatedNovember 12, 2024
Trial IDNCT06533137 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are healthy individuals who possess a sports medical certificate and can communicate in Italian.

Probably not a fit

Patients who do not meet the eligibility criteria, such as those without a sports medical certificate or who do not speak Italian, may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the impact of awareness and subjectivity on the placebo effect by utilizing a three-group experimental design involving active placebo, passive placebo, and control groups. Healthy participants will engage in a cycle ergometer session, where their perceived fatigue and physiological responses will be measured before and after the intervention. Participants will complete assessments on perceived exertion and emotional states, while their heart rate and respiratory rate will be monitored throughout the exercise. The goal is to understand how different conditions affect the perception of effort and fatigue during physical activity.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of the placebo effect, potentially leading to improved strategies for managing fatigue in various populations.

How similar studies have gone: While the placebo effect has been studied in various contexts, this specific approach focusing on exercise and subjective experience is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* People who have a sports medical certificate
* People who speak Italian
* People who give their informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* People who do not have a sports medical certificate
* People who do not speak Italian
* People who do not give their informed consent

Where it's running

  • Don Gnocchi Foundation
    Milan, Italy
    Recruiting

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.