JOURNAL ARTICLE

Negative lay perceptions of open-label placebo users may pose barriers to intervention adoption.

  • Published In: Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2025, v. 59, n. 1. P. 1 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Sgambati, Tyrone J; Colloca, Luana; Geers, Andrew L; Guevarra, Darwin A 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the social stigma associated with the use of open-label placebos (OLPs)—placebo treatments administered without deception—in managing medical conditions. Through an online experiment with 541 U.S. participants, the study found that patients who believed in or reported improvement from OLPs for chronic back pain were perceived as less competent but warmer compared to those who did not believe in or respond to the treatment. These perceptions align with the stereotype content model’s dimensions of warmth and competence and suggest an "intervention stigma" that may hinder the acceptance and adoption of OLPs despite their demonstrated clinical effectiveness. The authors highlight that such stigma could discourage patients from seeking or disclosing OLP use and may also affect healthcare providers’ willingness to prescribe them.

Additional Information

  • Source:Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 2025/01, Vol. 59, Issue 1, p1
  • Document Type:Case Study
  • Subject Area:Health and Medicine
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0883-6612
  • DOI:10.1093/abm/kaaf011
  • Accession Number:191385469
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