title: [Placebo: an unappreciated factor in medicine].
abstract: Placebo is a provoking factor in medicine that is discussed controversially and not fully understood so far. From the scientific point of view and according to evidence-based medicine a proved indication to prescribe a placebo does not exist. Therapy of pain may be an exclusion. In our daily work we consciously use the placebo-effect, but on the other hand we are committed to the placebo-phenomenon. This article gives an overview of various aspects of placebo. The currently supported theory about the placebo response, conditioning and expectancy, are discussed. Further, the side effects (nocebo-phenomenon) and the utility of placebo in randomised clinical trials is highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Universitätspoliklinik Basel. zellera@uhbs.ch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zeller
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Estlinbaum
mesh_terms: D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010919:Placebos / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012106:Research
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos