title: A take-home placebo treatment can reduce stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression in a non-patient population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With a healthcare system burdened by symptomatic and mental-health related conditions, the placebo effect may represent a useful clinical tool. First, however, there is a need to broaden research attention and investigate placebo effects outside laboratories and beyond experimental pain. This study investigated the effectiveness of a take-home placebo treatment in the short-term alleviation of stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression in a non-patient population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 77 participants was randomized to either the 'oxytocin' treatment group (n = 22), the 'serotonin' treatment group (n = 22) or the wait-list control group (n = 33). The two treatment groups were given an 'anti-stress treatment spray' (placebo) to self-administer for 3 days, and completed online measures of perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10), anxiety (Cognitive Somatic Anxiety Questionnaire) and symptoms of depression (Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression) before and after the 3-day protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both the 'serotonin' and 'oxytocin' treatment sprays were effective in reducing symptoms of depression; however, only those in the 'oxytocin' group reported less stress and anxiety as compared with controls. Overall, the 'oxytocin' was perceived as more effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Placebo effects can be translated to a real-life setting in the short-term reduction of stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression in a non-patient population. In treating psychological distress, placebos may be useful addition to the treatment repertoire. The information given with treatment may also be an important consideration for practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Margot
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Darragh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yow
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Anel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kieser
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Roger J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Robert R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Kydd
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand n.consedine@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Nathan S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Consedine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015990:Placebo Effect; D010919:Placebos / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos
keywords: Anxiety; depression; placebo effect; psychological stress