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Methodological issues of using placebos in interventions based on digital technology
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 07:56 authored by William Farr, Ian Male, Dido Green, Christopher Morris, Heather Gage, Sarah Bailey, Sandra Speller, Val Colville, Mandy Jackson, Stephen BremnerStephen Bremner, Anjum MemonAnjum MemonBackground/Aims: Use of placebo is the ideal for comparison in clinical trials to reduce biases. With digital technology being used more frequently in healthcare interventions, how do we determine the placebo effect where interventions exploit technology? If placebo in medicine is traditionally defined by a lack of pharmacological agents, how might we begin to move towards controlling for effects of digital technology? Method: This paper explores the traditional placebo effect and discusses its impact in healthcare contexts with digital technology with reference to a particular trial. Different meanings of placebo in the context of evaluating technology suggest new challenges and positive consequences. Results: Methodological considerations are discussed, which enabled the development of a placebo-controlled evaluation of a digital technology in healthcare and rehabilitation. Conclusion: Digital placebo was controlled in our trial by employing technology across all groups in the absence of evidence-based practice and shows how to control for unknown and hidden effects of technology.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Journal of Mobile Technology in MedicineISSN
1839-7808Publisher
UnknownExternal DOI
Issue
2Volume
6Page range
56-63Department affiliated with
- BSMS Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-01-11First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-01-11First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-01-11Usage metrics
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