Consenting not to be informed: a survey on the acceptability of placebo use in the treatment of depression

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2013 Apr;201(4):345-7. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e318288e2e7.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of healthy students regarding the acceptability of placebo treatment if they were to experience depression. A survey was conducted among 344 students in five academic centers in Israel. After a thorough explanation of the placebo effect, its efficacy and limitations in the treatment of depression, the study participants completed a 32-item self-report questionnaire. Seventy percent (n = 243) of the participants answered that they would agree to treatment with a placebo as a first-line treatment if they were to experience depression in the future. Eighty-eight percent (n = 297) of the subjects did not think that a physician who administered placebos was deceitful. Once aware of the possible benefits and limitations of placebo treatment, most of our study population was willing to accept placebo as a legitimate treatment of depression. Additional studies on the possible use of placebo as an effective, safe, and acceptable form of therapy are warranted.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / drug therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Informed Consent / psychology*
  • Israel
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Placebo Effect*
  • Students / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents