K L Kwekkeboom1. 1. University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To explore current knowledge of placebo effects, including proposed explanatory mechanisms, influencing factors, characteristics, and implications for practice and research. DATA SOURCES: Published and unpublished articles, books, and monographs. DATA SYNTHESIS: Placebo effects occur in up to 90% of nursing interventions. They may be explained by several mechanisms and are influenced by nurse/physician demeanor, patient factors, the patient-provider relationship, treatment factors, and context of the healthcare encounter. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses need to control for placebo effects when testing whether an intervention has desired effects, but once such effects have been demonstrated, nurses can make use of placebo effects to enhance the impact of their interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses can take measures to improve the patient's response to treatment, including providing a comfortable environment, using therapeutic communication techniques, helping patients to understand specific mechanisms of their treatment, and encouraging positive expectations and motivation for effectiveness.
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To explore current knowledge of placebo effects, including proposed explanatory mechanisms, influencing factors, characteristics, and implications for practice and research. DATA SOURCES: Published and unpublished articles, books, and monographs. DATA SYNTHESIS: Placebo effects occur in up to 90% of nursing interventions. They may be explained by several mechanisms and are influenced by nurse/physician demeanor, patient factors, the patient-provider relationship, treatment factors, and context of the healthcare encounter. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses need to control for placebo effects when testing whether an intervention has desired effects, but once such effects have been demonstrated, nurses can make use of placebo effects to enhance the impact of their interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses can take measures to improve the patient's response to treatment, including providing a comfortable environment, using therapeutic communication techniques, helping patients to understand specific mechanisms of their treatment, and encouraging positive expectations and motivation for effectiveness.