Who responds to sugar pills?

  • 1 February 1976
    • journal article
    • clinical trial
    • Vol. 51  (2) , 96-100
Abstract
Among 288 cancer patients undergoing controlled trials of oral analgesics there were 112 who received 50% or greater pain relief from placebo formulations. Patients who responded to placebo had a greater response rate to active drugs. They also had a higher incidence of central nervous system side effects to placebo. Patient groups showing as increased placebo response included those with a high level of education, farmers, those with a professional occupation, women working outside the home, and patients who were widowed, separated, or divorced. Those resistant to placebo were patients with a low educational level, unskilled workers, housewives, married women without children, and smokers. It is theorized that placebo response is a type of autohypnosis phenomenon resulting from exaggerated oral-dependency needs. Particularly vulnerable to placebo effect is the very self-sufficient individual with heavy responsibilities who is thrust into the unaccustomed dependency of disabling illness.

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