Multiple Factors Influence the Placebo Response and Effect in Headache Patients

Recommendations for Future Research
Dr. Weeks noted that although treatment with placebo may be frequently effective, its presence could only be quantified by direct comparison to a no-treatment condition. Clinical trials should include multiple treatment arms—active, placebo, and untreated. However, randomizing patients to no treatment is unethical, he stated.

Future research should also focus on greater standardization of information supplied to patients and greater standardization of patient-researcher contact, and studies should assess patient attitudes regarding medications and study participation.