The placebo problem
Reinhard, W.
Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology 3(Suppl 1): 35s-39s
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0379-0355 PMID: 7321658 Document Number: 180627
Holding placebo response to be a result of magical happenstance and doctor-patient relationship appears less than satisfying. The important factor of spontaneous development in illness, as "visually" demonstrated by Siemens in 1939, is pointed out. The controlled trial is considered analogous to this method. The conditions for carrying out a controlled trial and the control substances are discussed, the deciding criteria for carrying out a placebo-controlled trial are mentioned. The analysis of a placebo-controlled trial is not detrimental to the patient.