Pain and placebo in pediatrics: a comprehensive review of laboratory and clinical findings

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Age; Analgesia; Children; Clinical applications; Conditioning; Development; Expectations.