Repository logo
 
Publication

A qualitative study of imaginary pills and open-label placebos in test anxiety

2023Journal article Open access
Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorBuergler, Sarah
dc.contributor.authorSezer, Dilan
dc.contributor.authorBusch, Alexander
dc.contributor.authorEnzmann, Marlon
dc.contributor.authorBakis, Berfin
dc.contributor.authorLocher, Cosima
dc.contributor.authorBagge, Niels
dc.contributor.authorKirsch, Irving
dc.contributor.authorCarvalho, Claudia
dc.contributor.authorGaab, Jens
dc.date.accessioned2024-03-07T18:40:49Z
dc.date.available2024-03-07T18:40:49Z
dc.date.issued2023
dc.description.abstractBackground The efficacy of open-label placebos (OLPs) has been increasingly demonstrated and their use holds promise for applications compatible with basic ethical principles. Taking this concept one step further an imaginary pill (IP) intervention without the use of a physical pill was developed and tested in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). To explore participants’ experiences and views, we conducted the first qualitative study in the field of IPs. Methods A reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) of semi-structured interviews with test anxious students (N = 20) was nested in an RCT investigating an IP and OLP intervention. In addition, openended questions from the RCT were evaluated (N = 114) to corroborate the RTA and pill characteristics were included to more accurately capture the IP experience. Results Four key themes were identified: (1) attitude towards the intervention, (2) applicability of the intervention, (3) experience of effects, and (4) characteristics of the imagination. The IP intervention was well-accepted, easily applicable, and various effects, pill characteristics and appearances were described. While many participants did not desire a physical pill, either due to the absence of the imagination component or aversion to pills, the approach was considered to be cognitively and time demanding, which in turn, however, encouraged the establishment of a therapeutic ritual that protected against the increase in test anxiety during the preparation phase. OLP findings were comparable, and especially the importance of a treatment rationale was stressed in both groups, counteracting an initial ambivalent attitude. The RTA findings were supported by the open-ended questions of the RCT.IPs appear to be a well-accepted and easily applicable intervention producing a variety of beneficial effects. Thus, the IP approach might serve as an imaginary based alternative to OLPs warranting further investigations on its application to harness placebo effects without a physical pill.pt_PT
dc.description.versioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionpt_PT
dc.identifier.citationBuergler, S., Sezer, D., Busch, A., Enzmann, M., Bakis, B., Locher, C., Bagge, N., Kirsch, I., Carvalho, C., & Gaab, J. (2023). A qualitative study of imaginary pills and open-label placebos in test anxiety. PLoS ONE, 18(9), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291004pt_PT
dc.identifier.doi10.1371/journal.pone.0291004pt_PT
dc.identifier.issn19326203
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/9663
dc.language.isoengpt_PT
dc.peerreviewedyespt_PT
dc.publisherPublic Library of Sciencept_PT
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/pt_PT
dc.titleA qualitative study of imaginary pills and open-label placebos in test anxietypt_PT
dc.typejournal article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.conferencePlaceUnited Statespt_PT
oaire.citation.issue9pt_PT
oaire.citation.startPagee0291004pt_PT
oaire.citation.titlePLOS ONEpt_PT
oaire.citation.volume18pt_PT
person.familyNameBuergler
person.familyNameSezer
person.familyNameBakis
person.familyNameLocher
person.familyNameBagge
person.familyNameKirsch
person.familyNameGaab
person.givenNameSarah
person.givenNameDilan
person.givenNameBerfin
person.givenNameCosima
person.givenNameNiels
person.givenNameIrving
person.givenNameJens
person.identifier.orcid0000-0002-5377-7505
person.identifier.orcid0000-0003-4751-8387
person.identifier.orcid0009-0007-4401-274X
person.identifier.orcid0000-0002-9660-0590
person.identifier.orcid0000-0002-4560-6212
person.identifier.orcid0000-0002-1215-4061
person.identifier.orcid0000-0002-9194-8491
person.identifier.ridN-5671-2017
person.identifier.scopus-author-id6602110060
rcaap.rightsopenAccesspt_PT
rcaap.typearticlept_PT
relation.isAuthorOfPublication61258e18-b05f-457c-907a-b06e4ff949f4
relation.isAuthorOfPublication848574a4-c975-46d2-9b07-de3b5ae04333
relation.isAuthorOfPublication8d31e140-e3cd-4541-898f-61819e9b4d49
relation.isAuthorOfPublication59f44d9d-d37e-4a1f-857c-083536e86d5f
relation.isAuthorOfPublication9a647e57-dcaf-46e8-b604-926eb6da8f35
relation.isAuthorOfPublication56edd599-f431-4f61-b3ed-8007d0ed0546
relation.isAuthorOfPublicationa4b29827-42d3-488e-830b-95430658c23d
relation.isAuthorOfPublication.latestForDiscovery56edd599-f431-4f61-b3ed-8007d0ed0546

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
journal.pone.0291004.pdf
Size:
711.46 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.61 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

PSAU - Artigos em revistas internacionais