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ASCP Corner December 31, 2008

Is the Problem of a High Placebo Response Unique to Antidepressant Trials?

Arif Khan, MD; Amritha Bhat, MBBS, MD

J Clin Psychiatry 2008;69(12):1979-1980

Article Abstract

Because this piece has no abstract, we have provided for your benefit the first 3 sentences of the full text.

Recent studies questioning the effectiveness of antidepressantshave received considerable attention in the mass media.These articles report the difficulty in demonstrating superiorityof antidepressants over placebo among antidepressant trials.Interestingly, placebo response also plays a significant role intrials of other nonpharmacologic somatic treatments for depressionas well as treatments for many other chronic psychiatricand nonpsychiatric illnesses; however, this does not seem tohave received similar attention.’ ‹