Is there a place for placebo in management of psychogenic movement disorders?
BACKGROUND
The management of psychogenic movement disorders is fraught with difficulties. Empathy and a non-judgmental manner are essential in dealing with patients, and a neurobiological explanation of the symptoms may help to foster trust, acceptance, understanding and recovery.


METHODS
We report a 17-year-old Chinese girl with psychogenic blepharospasm. Her parents refused psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy.


RESULTS
Placebo therapy (with parental consent) was prescribed with favourable results.


CONCLUSIONS
We examine the ethical considerations for and against placebo therapy, and explore the role of placebo therapy in the management of psychogenic movement disorders.
Lim
Erle C H
EC
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore. mdcelch@nus.edu.sg
Ong
Benjamin K C
BK
Seet
Raymond C S
RC
D000293:Adolescent; D001764:Blepharospasm / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005607:Fraud; D006801:Humans; D015990:Placebo Effect; D010919:Placebos / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010919:Placebos