Using open-label placebos for treating non-specific pain in the emergency department
Open -Label Placebo for Non-specific Pain in the Emergency Department: Study Protocol for a Mixed-method Randomised Control Feasibility Study
This study is testing whether giving patients open-label placebos can help relieve non-specific acute pain in the emergency department compared to standard treatment with ibuprofen.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Basel) |
| Trial ID | NCT06408519 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of administering open-label placebos to patients experiencing non-specific acute pain in the emergency department. Patients will be randomized into two groups: one receiving open-label placebo tablets and the other receiving standard treatment with ibuprofen. The study will assess the outcomes over a duration of 30 days, focusing on the effectiveness and patient response to the open-label placebo intervention. This collaborative effort involves the Emergency Department and the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Basel.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with a diagnosis of non-specific acute pain who can understand the study and provide informed consent.
Not a fit: Patients with chronic pain or those requiring hospitalization will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide an effective and low-cost alternative for managing non-specific pain in emergency settings.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of open-label placebos is a novel approach in emergency settings, similar studies have shown promising results in other contexts.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Established diagnosis of non-specific acute pain * Able to understand the study and its outcome measures * Signed informed consent * 18 years or older * Sufficient German language skills Exclusion Criteria: * Chronic pain * Treatment with pain medication for \> 7 days prior to ED visit * Known allergy or intolerance to ibuprofen * Known hereditary galactose-intolerance, lactase deficiency or glucosegalactose malabsorption * Participation in another clinical trial with medicinal products * Need for hospitalization * Known pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Basel
- University Hospital Basel — Basel, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Bruno Minotti, MD
- Email: bruno.minotti@usb.ch
- Phone: +41615565324
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.