Optimizing Open Label Placebo Rationales

Optimizing Open Label Placebo Rationales for Chronic Pain

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT05952960

Enrollment

Registered

2023-07-19

Start date

2023-07-15

Completion date

2023-12-31

Last updated

2025-07-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic Pain

Brief summary

A 3-arm randomized trial where all chronic pain patients will receive honest placebos, but the information about the placebos will differ between conditions. Outcomes are measured for 21 days and a qualitative survey will be conducted.

Interventions

OTHERPlacebo

Open Label Placebo + Rationale

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* chronic pain * 18 years old * English speaking * have a smartphone or computer with video access * Taking prescription opioids for chronic pain * the chronic pain is concentrated into the patient's lower back.

Exclusion criteria

* suspect an allergy to any placebo ingredient * problematic substance use * cancer diagnosis causing pain * anticipated change in opioid script during the study period.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Pain Reports	21 days	Brief Pain Inventory: Pain intensity and pain interference

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Opioids	21 Days	Quantity of prescription opioids taken

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026