title: The quantification of placebo effects within a general model of health care outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to test a model of placebo effects in the context of a general model of health care outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The design of this study was a multisite, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at The University of Washington Hospital, Seattle, Washington, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Camden, New Jersey, and at the Neurology Center of Fairfax, Fairfax, Virginia.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and seventeen (117) patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis were enrolled in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects had daily exposure to a pulsing electromagnetic generator.
  
  
  METHODS
  The outcome measures were the average score of three quality-of-life indices: the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, the Medical Outcomes Study Pain Effects Scale, and the Spasticity Effects Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Placebo responders scored higher in the personality trait of Absorption compared with nonresponders (p<0.01). Placebo responders were more confident that the sham device was active compared to placebo nonresponders (p<0.009). The two factors of confidence in the treatment and Absorption accurately identified 80% of placebo responders in a discriminant analysis (p<0.0004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Placebo effects are best understood when integrated in a general model of health care outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Health Sciences Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA. owens@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Justine E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Menard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010551:Personality; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011788:Quality of Life; D035502:Trust; D055815:Young Adult