title: Characterizing the perception of the placebo effect in sports medicine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize differences in the perception and understanding of the placebo effect between sports physicians, coaches, athletes, and sports science personnel.
  
  
  METHODS
  A short 11-item questionnaire was administered addressing demographic details, understanding of the placebo effect, and willingness to use the effect in an elite sport setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants were involved in national level sporting programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 187 individuals (17 sports physicians, 44 sports scientists, 30 national-level coaches, and 96 national-level athletes) completed the questionnaire. All participants were contacted and invited to participate voluntarily. INTERVENTIONS/ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-reported responses on understanding and use of placebo effect in sport.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 94% of physicians and 98% of scientists, but only 44% of athletes, indicated a good understanding of the placebo effect. A majority of scientists (63%) and physicians (59%) administered placebo at least once a year. Most of scientists (95%) and a majority of physicians (71%) either mildly or strongly encouraged use of the placebo in their clinical practice. About 60% of athletes indicated they would not care if they were unknowingly administered a placebo: however, 30% of them would not appreciate being misled.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a substantial difference in the level of understanding of the placebo effect between physicians and athletes in elite sport. Although athletes are willing to use the placebo effect, physicians need to be mindful of the manner of its implementation.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brooling
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pyne
authors.forename: Kieran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fallon
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fricker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015990:Placebo Effect; D013178:Sports Medicine; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult