Category Archives: Research
Brain scans suggest that doctors ‘feel’ their patients’ pain – New article in Molecular Psychiatry
The experiment involved taking scans of physicians’ brains while they were delivering treatment. The findings support the idea that patient–physician interactions significantly contribute to placebo effects and clinical outcomes. Read the full article here.
Feature article in Harvard Magazine about Ted Kaptchuk and his work
Based on extensive interviews with Ted Kaptchuk and a number of his colleagues and associates, this article sums up the ground-breaking work that Prof. Kaptchuk has overseen. Read the full text of the article here.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation gives grant to support Placebo Studies
PiPS has been awarded $250,000 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The funds will be used to create a high-impact seminar series that examines the potential of placebo studies to contribute to the transformation of health care. Over a period of approximately 18 months starting in June, 2013, a series of symposia will be held that bring together representatives from relevant disciplines including clinical specialties, neuroscience, health policy, anthropology, sociology, bioethics, and the history of medicine. The symposia will be structured to encourage an in-depth conversation that broadens the discourse about how the phenomenon known as placebo response can be utilized to enhance the provider-patient relationship, improve patient outcomes, reduce morbidity, and help control health care costs. Incentives will be offered that encourage participants to engage in collaborations. Certain events will be open to the public as well as the medical community. Register as a member to learn more about these and other events. Or call 617-945-7827 for more information.
Possible genetic explanation for the placebo effect
A patient’s genetic makeup may explain the “placebo effect,” in which people perceive that a fake treatment makes them feel better, according to a study by PiPS researchers. The findings may help researchers design better clinical trials.
Read the article: “Catechol-O-Methyltransferase val158met Polymorphism Predicts Placebo Effect in Irritable Bowel Syndrome”
Subconscious cues can trigger the placebo effect, say researchers
PiPS researcher, Karin Jensen, was the lead investigator for the experiment that made these remarkable findings.
Read the article: “Nonconscious activation of placebo and nocebo pain responses”
“Placebo Therapy as an Ethical Alternative”
In March 2012, PiPS Associate Director Irving Kirsch, presented a plenary address at the 2012 Integrative Medicine & Health Congress in Portland, OR. The talk, “Placebo Therapy as an Ethical Alternative,” outlines Dr. Kirsch’s research of the placebo effect in depression and his suggestions for how these findings might transform health care. For a video of the lecture and slides, click here.
June 14 4pm “Placebo: A History” Lecture by Ted Kaptchuk, PiPS Director
Neuroscience-based Empathy Training for Clinicians
On May 17, 2012 Helen Riess, MD, Director of the Empathy and Relational Sciences Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, presented a lecture as part of the Placebo Studies Seminar Series.
Pain & Pleasure: the Neuroscience of Subjective Experience [April 26th, 4pm]
