Fake pills, real relief? placebo study aims to cut opioid use after hip surgery

NCT ID NCT07373210

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether taking placebo pills alongside standard opioid painkillers can reduce pain and opioid use in adolescents and young adults after hip surgery. 64 participants will either receive the placebo plus usual care or usual care alone. The goal is to see if the placebo effect can help manage pain and lower the need for opioids.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

open-label placebo pills

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a way to reduce opioid use after surgery by harnessing the placebo effect, even when patients know the pills are fake.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage trial with only 64 participants, so results may not apply widely. The placebo effect is unpredictable and may not significantly reduce pain or opioid consumption.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for DEVELOPMENTAL DYSPLASIA OF THE HIP are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

developmental dysplasia of the hip

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • University of California San Francisco

    RECRUITING

    San Francisco, California, 94158, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••