PMC full text:

Table 1

Summary of the recommendations formulated by the expert group

Dos
1Consider placebo effects as part of regular treatment
2Inform patients about placebo and nocebo effects in such a way that treatment effects are maximized and side effects are minimized
3Ensure a patient-clinician relationship that is characterized by trust, warmth and empathy in order to maximize placebo effects and minimize nocebo effects
4Train health-care providers in patient-clinician communication to maximize placebo effects and minimize nocebo effects
5Prefer open-label rather than hidden placebo prescription in those cases where there is evidence for efficacy and where prescribing a placebo is legal
Don'ts
1Do not take risks (e.g., prescribing invasive treatments) to maximize placebo effects
2Do not consider deception a necessary component of placebo effects