title: The placebo effect in agoraphobia.
abstract: This paper presents two sets of data that suggests a weak but specific placebo response in agoraphobia. First, analyses in 20 agoraphobic patients given single-blind placebo over a 2-week period, without the customary confound of instructions for exposure to phobic situations, revealed a statistically significant reduction in panic and phobic symptoms. However, symptoms remained in the moderate to severe range and functioning was virtually unchanged. Second, comparisons between six agoraphobic patients receiving double-blind placebo and six others receiving "no pills," matched for age, sex and exposure treatment, revealed a significant placebo effect over an 8-week period. Implications for clinical research are briefly discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010200:Panic; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010919:Placebos / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D007099:Imipramine