title: The placebo effect: "relatively large" and "robust" enough to survive another assault.
abstract: The evidence related to the placebo effect is discussed, and it is emphasized that the descriptors "relatively large" and "robust" are appropriate in the context in which they were used. Basic science and clinical trials, when interpreted properly, have revealed that the placebo effect is indeed a real phenomenon. J. Hunsley and R. Westmacott (this issue) as well as A. Hróbjartsson and P. C. Gøtzsche (this issue) are concerned that B. E. Wampold, T. Minami, S. C. Tierney, T. W. Baskin, and K. S. Bhati (2005) overstated the clinical effects of placebo when it was never B. E. Wampold et al.'s (2005) intention to make inferences about clinical utility; however, it is shown that the placebo effect exceeds many accepted medical interventions.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA. wampold@education.wisc.edu
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Wampold
authors.forename: Zac E
authors.initials: ZE
authors.lastname: Imel
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Minami
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011613:Psychotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States