[Placebo Effect - The Benefit of "Nothingness" in Pain Therapy].

For a long time considered ineffective, placebos nowadays have an accepted role in studies as well as clinical practice. The identification of psychological as well as neurophysiological mechanisms helped to conceptualize and legitimize the placebo effect. Moreover, studies have even proven a therapeutic value. Consequently, the benefits of a thoughtfully applied placebo effect are increasingly being exploited. This article reviews the concept and current understanding of the placebo effect and depicts its use in the field of pain management. Thieme. All rights reserved.