title: Superstition predicts favorable weight change in an open-placebo trial: a prospective study.
abstract: Given the difficulty of losing weight via adhering to healthy lifestyle choices, this study sought to understand how a placebo may elicit favorable weight change. Specifically, we examined if superstition may be related to increased responsiveness to an open-placebo. In this pilot study of 25 undergraduate participants, it was hypothesized that individuals with higher levels of superstition may be more responsive to a 3-week open-placebo weight change trial. Participants were given once-daily saltine crackers to use as open-placebos for weight change in their preferred direction (gain or loss). The weight of each participant was measured before and after the 3-week open-placebo period. A Pearson's r correlation showed a significant positive relationship between superstition and placebo responsiveness, determined by weight gain or loss in the preferred direction, r (25) = 0.493, p < 0.05. We hope these preliminary results engender future research on open-placebo uses for weight management.
authors.affiliation: Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, USA, rekhviasnino@alum.barnard.edu.
authors.forename: Nino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rekhviashvili
authors.forename: Sumati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013483:Superstitions; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos