How Suggestibility Affects Nocebo Responses
Author Information
Author(s): Madeline V. Stein, Monika Heller, Sarah Chapman, G. James Rubin, Devin B. Terhune
Primary Institution: King's College London
Hypothesis
Does trait responsiveness to verbal suggestions influence nocebo responding?
Conclusion
The study found that individuals who are more suggestible tend to experience stronger nocebo responses.
Supporting Evidence
- Suggestibility is a significant predictor of nocebo responding.
- Studies with higher methodological quality showed stronger correlations.
- Self-report measures were commonly used, which may introduce bias.
Takeaway
Some people are more likely to feel bad after being told they might feel bad, and this study looked at why that happens.
Methodology
A meta-analysis of 10 studies examining the correlation between suggestibility and nocebo responses.
Potential Biases
Potential publication bias and variability in suggestibility measures may affect the results.
Limitations
The studies included had low methodological quality and relied heavily on self-report measures.
Participant Demographics
The studies included a mix of healthy volunteers and patients, with varying age and gender distributions.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.013
Confidence Interval
[95% CI: .04, .38]
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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