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Review
. 2024 Dec;42(4):631-645.
doi: 10.1016/j.anclin.2024.02.005. Epub 2024 Mar 27.

The Ethics of Placebo

Meng-Chen Wu  1 , A Jon Stoessl  2
Affiliations
Review

The Ethics of Placebo

Meng-Chen Wu et al. Anesthesiol Clin. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

This article reviews the ethical implications related to the use of placebos in clinical practice and clinical trials. We discuss evidence for placebo effects, the role of placebo in research and clinical practice, and related ethical issues. It also provides an overview of some of the new findings related to research involving placebos and the possible associated ethical challenges.

Keywords: Authorization; Deception; Ethics; Pain; Placebo; Placebome; Vulnerability.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose.

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