T he placebo effect is a fascinating yet puzzling phenomenon, which has challenged investigators over the past 50 years. Recently, it has been defi ned as the " positive physiological or psychological changes associated with the use of inert medications, sham procedures, or therapeutic symbols within a healthcare encounter " [1]. Increasing scientifi c inquiry has been aimed at elucidating the ...

It is well-known that placebo is a substance without medical effects, which benefits the health status because of the patient's belief that the substance is effective and that the nocebo is defined as a substance without medical effects but which worsenes the health status of the person taking it by the negative beliefs and expectations of the patient. Starting with the history of the placebo e...

Recent evidence suggests that the placebo effect is mediated by the dopaminergic reward mechanisms in the human brain and that it is related to the expectation of clinical benefit. On the basis of this theory, we propose some criteria for the proper investigation of the placebo effect, and review the evidence for a placebo effect in Parkinson's disease, depression, pain, and other neurological ...

Whether, or how far, acupuncture effects can be explained as due to the placebo response is clearly an important issue, but there is an underlying philosophical assumption implicit in much of the debate, which is often ignored. Much of the argument is cast in terms which suggest that there is an immaterial mind hovering above the brain and giving rise to spurious effects. This model derives fro...

abstract background: presently, using complementary therapy such as lavender oil has specific application in medicine. the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aromatherapy massage on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea in nursing and midwifery students of islamic azad university of arsanjan, iran. materials and methods: this study was performed using clinical trial method on...

introduction: influenza can cause more severe diseases and higher rate of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population. therefore, they should receive influenza vaccine annually. however, the host response to vaccine is less in older individuals. on the other hand, selenium can act as a stimulator of the immune system and cause increased immunity and response to vaccine. this study was car...