Today we present 21 new placebo and nocebo research papers, book chapters, comments and abstracts identified during March 2025. As usual, they are based on new PUBMED publication using the search terms „placebo“ and „nocebo“ and are hand-selected from more than 882 new publications during the preceding month. Previously published monthly updates can be found in our archive. Todays selection as well as all previously identified papers will also go into our placebo research library that currently contains around 5,400 relevant papers. If you would like to get access to the full database, please register for our newsletter and provide us with your email address and affiliation.
Asan, L., Gronen, J. S., Peters, L., Kleinschnitz, C., Holle-Lee, D., Benson, S., & Bingel, U. (2025).
Optimized communication during risk disclosure to reduce nocebo headache after lumbar puncture-a study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial. Front Psychol, 16, 1521978. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1521978
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40078436
Bagnis, A., Meeuwis, S. H., Haas, J. W., O’Keeffe, M., Bajcar, E. A., Babel, P., Evers, A. W. M., Glogan, E., Oleszczyk, M., Portoles, A., Vlaeyen, J. W. S., Mattarozzi, K. & Panacea Consortium (2025).
A scoping review of placebo and nocebo responses and effects: insights for clinical trials and practice. Health Psychol Rev, 1-39. doi:10.1080/17437199.2025.2471792
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40028813
Begolli, E., Winther, C. H., Miranda, M. J., & Mol Debes, N. (2025).
The placebo effect in the treatment of children with epilepsy: A systematic review. Seizure, 127, 7-15. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2025.02.013
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40022773
Borst, J. M., Ruoss, S., Palmer, I., Smith, T., Kalunian, K., & Ward, S. R. (2025).
Placebo Effect Sizes are Larger in Clinical Trials of Knee Osteoarthritis using Intra-Articular Injections of Biologic Agents. Arthritis Care Res. doi:10.1002/acr.25526
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40105673
Degen, B., Szczesna, A., Nickel, C. H., Bingisser, R., Gaab, J., & Minotti, B. (2025).
Open-label placebo for non-specific pain in the emergency department (OLP EM): study protocol for a mixed-method randomised control feasibility study in Switzerland. BMJ Open, 15(3), e090508. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-090508
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40132833
Frey Nascimento, A., Gaab, J., Degen, B., Rytz, M., Holder, A., Sezer, D., Buergler, S., Meyer, A. H., Kirsch, I., Kossowsky, J. & Locher, C. (2025).
Efficacy of open-label placebos for premenstrual syndrome: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Evid Based Med. doi:10.1136/bmjebm-2024-112875
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40132912
Gauna, F., Raude, J., Khouri, C., Cracowski, J. L., & Ward, J. K. (2025).
Exploring the relationship between experience of vaccine adverse events and vaccine hesitancy: A scoping review. Hum Vaccin Immunother, 21(1), 2471225. doi:10.1080/21645515.2025.2471225
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40058398
Han, K., Zhao, A. T., Yu, Y., Asbell, P., Ying, G. S., & Group, D. R. (2025).
Magnitude and Predictors of the Placebo Effects in the Dry Eye Assessment and Management Study. Ophthalmol Sci, 5(3), 100730. doi:10.1016/j.xops.2025.100730
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40144460
Huneke, N. T. M., Fusetto Veronesi, G., Garner, M., Baldwin, D. S., & Cortese, S. (2025).
Expectancy Effects, Failure of Blinding Integrity, and Placebo Response in Trials of Treatments for Psychiatric Disorders: A Narrative Review. JAMA Psychiatry. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.0085
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40072447
Knezevic, N. N., Sic, A., Worobey, S., & Knezevic, E. (2025).
Justice for Placebo: Placebo Effect in Clinical Trials and Everyday Practice. Medicines (Basel), 12(1). doi:10.3390/medicines12010005
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40137049
Kum, E., Hassan, W., & Satia, I. (2025).
Placebo responses in clinical trials of refractory chronic cough: mechanisms, challenges, and mitigation strategies. Lancet Respir Med, 13(4), 297-299. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(25)00018-9
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40088918
Mostauli, A., Rauh, J., Gamer, M., Buchel, C., Rief, W., & Brassen, S. (2025).
Placebo treatment entails resource-dependent downregulation of negative inputs. Sci Rep, 15(1), 9088. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-93589-y
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40097556
Naddaf, E., Skolka, M. P., Prokop, L., Dimachkie, M. M., Hogrel, J. Y., Benveniste, O., Wang, Z., Mandrekar, J., West, C. P. & Murad, M. H. (2025).
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the response to placebo in clinical trials of inclusion body myositis. Rheumatology. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keaf146
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40085004
Ozpolat, C., Okcay, Y., Ulusoy, K. G., & Yildiz, O. (2025).
A narrative review of the placebo effect: historical roots, current applications, and emerging insights. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. doi:10.1007/s00228-025-03818-6
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40080139
Ren, J., Zhang, L., Xu, L., Lv, Y., Huang, J., Feng, Y., Guo, H., Wang, Y., Yang, J., Zheng, Q. & Li, L. (2025).
Analyzing the Placebo Response and Identifying Influential Factors in Oral Medication Trials for Acute-Phase Schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbaf013
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40105660
Richard, M., Ganz, M., Hornstein, L. D., Stehlik, B., Levy, M., Blease, C. R., Annoni, M., Elger, B. S. & Gaab, J. (2025).
Noble Humbug? Hard and soft laws on clinical placebo use. Front Psychol, 16, 1520664. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1520664
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40144035
Silvester, C., Gasteiger, C., Gamble, G. D., Wilson, M. S., Faasse, K., Petrie, K. J., & MacKrill, K. (2025).
Predicting the side effects of influenza vaccination. Ann Behav Med, 59(1). doi:10.1093/abm/kaaf024
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40139679
Tedeschi, R. (2025).
Breaking the cycle: Addressing the drucebo effect in lymphedema care. Phlebology, 2683555251326698. doi:10.1177/02683555251326698
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40072464
van der Miesen, M. M., Vossen, C. J., Compere, V. N., Joosten, E. A. J., Linden, D. E. J., Peters, J. C., & Kaas, A. L. (2025).
Individual differences in response to repeated painful stimulation: Habituation, sensitization, and nocebo effects. J Pain, 30, 105377. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105377
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40112939
Webster, R. K., & Iyer, A. (2025).
Perceived Discrimination in Healthcare Settings is Associated with Medication Side Effects and Adherence: A Cross-Sectional Survey Representing the Four Largest Ethnic Groups in the UK. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. doi:10.1007/s40615-025-02403-y
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40140237
Wen, A., Singhal, N., Jones, B. D. M., Zeifman, R. J., Mehta, S., Shenasa, M. A., Blumberger, D. M., Daskalakis, Z. J. & Weissman, C. R. (2024).
A Systematic Review of Study Design and Placebo Controls in Psychedelic Research. Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle), 2(1), 15-24. doi:10.1089/psymed.2023.0028
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40051762
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