ArticleExperimental dermatology2017
Using the placebo effect: how expectations and learned immune function can optimize dermatological treatments.
Article in Experimental dermatology, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
17 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Placebo response and its influencing factors in acne vulgaris: A model-based meta-analysis.British journal of clinical pharmacology · 2026Pooled it
- Exploring changes in placebo treatment arms in hidradenitis suppurativa randomized clinical trials: A systematic review.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2020Pooled it
- [Placebo effect in clinical trials with allergen-specific immunotherapy with inhalant allergens].Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete · 2017Pooled it
- Experimental Approach to Inducing Anti-Histaminergic Placebo Effects: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Volunteers.Neuroimmunomodulation · 2026Trial
- Wound closure in epidermolysis bullosa: data from the vehicle arm of the phase 3 ESSENCE Study.Orphanet journal of rare diseases · 2020Trial
- Minimizing nocebo effects by conditioning with verbal suggestion: A randomized clinical trial in healthy humans.PloS one · 2017Trial
- Article
- LetibotulinumtoxinA for Rosacea: A Pilot Study.Toxins · 2026Article
- Article
- Risk factors associated with nocebo effects: A review of reviews.Brain, behavior, & immunity - health · 2024Review
- The Role of Diet Modification in Atopic Dermatitis: Navigating the Complexity.American journal of clinical dermatology · 2022Review
- Do individual psychological characteristics predict induction and generalization of nocebo and placebo effects on pain and itch?Frontiers in psychiatry · 2022Article
- Evidence for the Efficacy of Over-the-counter Vitamin A Cosmetic Products in the Improvement of Facial Skin Aging: A Systematic Review.The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology · 2021Review
- Single-use IgE-selective immunoadsorber column for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis.Journal of clinical apheresis · 2020Article
- [Placebo and nocebo effects on itch : Methodological and clinical implications].Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete · 2018Review
- Implications of Placebo and Nocebo Effects for Clinical Practice: Expert Consensus.Psychotherapy and psychosomatics · 2018Article
- Article
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Authors and funding
1 author.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The role of placebo and nocebo effects-that is positive or negative treatment effects that are entirely a consequence of the patient's expectations and beliefs about a treatment outcome in terms of efficacy, safety, usability or side effects-has been shown for almost all types of diseases and physiological response systems. Evidence for the relevance of placebo and nocebo effects in dermatology is also increasing, particularly for symptoms of itch and learned (conditioned) immune function. In addition, increasing knowledge is available about the neurobiological mechanisms of action, such as the role of the dopaminergic system. Studies on this topic offer innovative perspectives to unravel the multifactorial pathways of treatment effects and to use research designs for experimental research that provide full insight into the role of placebo and nocebo effects. Moreover, intervention strategies can be developed for dermatology practice that optimize regular treatments with innovative non-pharmacological treatment strategies (e.g. optimized doctor-patient communication and treatment adherence, or prevention of nocebo reactions with regard to adverse side effects). In addition, evidence on learned immune function offers new pathways to optimize pharmacological treatments (e.g. dosage adjustments and conditioning of physiological responses), the ultimate goal being to prevent individual treatment failures and maximize regular treatment effects.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.