HOnest Placebos With Explanations: Evaluating Open-Label Placebos for Chronic Pain

Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Chronic Low-back Pain, Chronic Pain

In brief

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effect of rationale condition when taking open-label placebos on pain by 1) comparing each rationale to the no rationale control condition and the no treatment control condition; and 2) comparing the rationale conditions to each other. We also aim to examine the effect of rationale condition on prescription opioid use by 1) comparing each rationale to the no rationale control condition and the no treatment control condition; and 2) comparing the rationale conditions to each other. This study will include patients with chronic low back pain. The main question it aims to answer is: How do rationales influence the effects of open-label placebos? Researchers will compare different rationales given when taking an open-label placebo and a no-treatment group and a no rationale group taking OLPs.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06931158

Run by

Rhode Island Hospital

People needed

327

Starts

2025-03-10

Expected to finish

2026-06-19

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-23

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 89. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may not qualify if…

• Have chronic pain because of a cancer diagnosis
• Over 89 years of age
• Suspect an allergy to any placebo ingredient
• Currently receiving worker's compensation.

Where it is running

• Rhode Island Hospital — Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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