Pain and placebo in pediatrics: A comprehensive review of laboratory and clinical findings
Abstract
Are developing children more prone than older children and adults to form placebo analgesic effects? We address this issue providing a comprehensive analysis of both nociception and pain modulation in pediatrics.
Pain modulation by placebo mechanisms is one of the most robust and best-studied phenomena, yet almost all research investigating the mechanisms and implications of the placebo analgesia are based on adult research. After highlighting crucial aspects that need to be considered in studying pain modulation in children, this comprehensive review examines studies related to pain modulation with an emphasis on factors such as age, neural development and pain measures. We critically discuss psychological mechanisms underlying placebo effects, including (1) verbally induced expectations, (2) conditioning and learning mechanisms, and (3) child–parent–physician interactions. Taken together, research suggests that placebo mechanisms can affect therapeutic outcomes and potentially be exploited clinically to improve clinical outcomes in pediatric population. Recommendations for further investigating the mechanistic bases and harnessing placebo effects for supportive therapeutic applications are given. Show more
Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
PainVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
ElsevierSubject
Age; Analgesia; Children; Clinical applications; Conditioning; Development; ExpectationsOrganisational unit
02803 - Collegium Helveticum / Collegium Helveticum
03325 - Folkers, Gerd (emeritus)
Notes
Received 22 March 2014, Received in revised form 24 August 2014, Accepted 26 August 2014.More
Show all metadata
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics