Effects of Open-label Placebos on COVID-related Psychological Health
Stress, Anxiety, Depression
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Stress focused on measuring COVID-19, Non-Deceptive Placebos, Intervention, Telehealth, Stress, Anxiety, Depression
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Individuals who have experienced moderate COVID-19 stress, as assessed by a score of ≥ 35 on the COVID-19 Stress Scale (Taylor et al., 2020).
Exclusion Criteria:
- Non-Michigan residents; self-reported diagnosis of anxiety, depression, ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder; currently taking psychotropic medication including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication or stimulants; allergies or concerns with the placebo pill ingredients; or active diagnosis of COVID-19 at the time of eligibility or enrollment.
Sites / Locations
- Michigan State University
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Non-Deceptive Placebo
No-Treatment Control
The NDP group was informed that the purpose of the study was to test a mind-body intervention that might help participants deal with the stress and anxiety that they are feeling during the pandemic. The intervention included two videos that introduced the effects of non-deceptive placebos, followed by a presentation on up-to-date non-deceptive placebo research. The participants then received instruction on how they would take their non-deceptive placebos for the next two weeks. Participants were asked to complete daily pill-taking adherence surveys (~5 min) and weekly at midpoint (1-week) and endpoint (2-week).
The Control group did not receive an intervention. Instead, participants were informed that the purpose of the study was to track individual psychological and physical health over longer time periods in the context of the pandemic. Participants were asked to complete weekly questionnaires at midpoint (1-week) and endpoint (2-week).