Placebo power: personalized suggestions may ease pain
NCT ID NCT04669093
First seen Dec 10, 2025 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 28 times
Summary
This study tests whether placebo suggestions work better when they match a person's natural motivational style—either focusing on promoting good feelings or preventing pain. Sixty healthy adults will receive a plain hand cream but be told it's a pain reliever, with suggestions tailored to their style. Researchers will measure pain ratings, expectations, and facial expressions to see if the match makes a difference.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
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.
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 HEALTHY are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Study contacts
-
Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
-
Dartmouth College
Hanover, New Hampshire, 03755, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Placebo cream (hand cream) with behavioral suggestions
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward more effective, personalized ways to use placebos for pain relief.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study in healthy volunteers, not patients. The results may not apply to real-world pain conditions.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.