Date of Award
Fall 12-2011
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Program
Applied Biopsychology
Department
Psychology
Major Professor
Greve, Kevin
Second Advisor
Laird, Robert
Third Advisor
Soignier, Denis
Abstract
Placebo’s (positive expectancies producing positive outcomes) and nocebo’s (negative expectancies producing negative outcomes) are real and measurable effects. Real as these effects may be, predicting individuals that may be susceptible to placebo/nocebo effects has been inconsistent. The present study examined whether measures designed to assess somatization (MSPQ), catastrophizing (PCS) and childhood trauma (CTQ) would predict placebo and nocebo membership. In addition, measures designed to assess anxiety (ASI) anxiety about pain (PASS) and depression (BDI) were evaluated to determine whether anxiety or depression mediates responsiveness. The Hargreaves Thermal Withdrawal test and the submaximal effort tourniquet technique were employed as pain vehicles for the measurement of group differences. No significant effects of planned analyses were observed. However, unplanned analyses of childhood trauma subscales indicated that physical and emotional abuse predicted placebo response. Additionally, emotional neglect trended toward predicting nocebo responsiveness. These results indicate that further studies, correcting for weaknesses, is warranted.
Recommended Citation
Brewer, Steve T., "Factors that Contribute to Susceptibility of the Placebo/Nocebo Effect in Experimentally Induced Ischemic Arm Pain" (2011). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1410.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1410
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.