By Researchers about the placebo effect on placebo sweet spot which physicians may use in helping patients suffering from chronic pain. The beneficial effect experienced was a result in the person’s attitude toward the treatment or medication will be of help to them.
In the journal PLoS Biology issued October 2016, the researchers who conducted the study shared their findings. They lead them in learning about the placebo sweet spot. Patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis pain conducted the research also underwent pre-treatment brain scans in two clinical trials. The area of the brain that is responsible for the placebo effect (1) was able to identified by the researchers.
This information was vital in dealing chronic pain for several reasons. Hopefully, doctors can identify the area of a patient’s brain that is activated, if they’re experiencing chronic pain. Said information can be used to give medication to the patient that will target individual’s placebo effect sweet spot. Being able to locate their placebo effect area may help doctors to treat patients more effectively and safely (2
Identifying the placebo effect area can be beneficial moreover, researching on chronic pain treatments. The information help improving the accuracy in clinical trials. Researchers will be easier identifying and weed out patients who may have a high placebo response before begin the trials.
Information is good those suffering from chronic pain and support in realizing if it will help in reducing pain. Researchers known that one’s attitude and beliefs toward the medication or treatment will effect, have influence over the outcome. In the June 2016 journal Pain, reported that patient’s expectations was important predictors in the outcome of analgesic treatments.
Researchers are contineously conducting steps closer to individualising treatment plans to have definitive cure for chronic pain. Such steps will serve to provide the most effective route to bringing about relief.
Sources:
- PLoS Biol. 2016 Oct 27;14(10):e1002570. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002570. eCollection 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27788130
- Placebo sweet spot for pain relief identified in brain. October 2016. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161028090142.htm
