Non-deceptive Application of Placebos in Insomnia

Philipps University Marburg51 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether non-deceptive application of a placebo has an impact on subjective or objective sleep parameters in patients with primary insomnia.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Insomnia

Interventions

PlaceboDRUG

Placebo pill

Film sequenceOTHER

The experimental group watches a film about the power of placebo effects.

Film sequenceOTHER

The control group watches a film about sleep.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 69 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * age between 18 years to 69 years * fluent in German language * provide written informed consent * ability to understand the explanations and instructions given by the study physician and the investigator Exclusion Criteria: * evidence for sleep disorders caused by medical factors (e.g. sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, substance-induced insomnia) * allergies to ingredients of placebo * patients scoring below 8 or above 21 on the Insomnia Severity Index * patients suffering from a mental disorder as verified by the SCID * patients suffering from an acute physical illness * nicotine consumption \> 10 cigarettes/day * unwillingness to refrain from alcohol consumption throughout the study * change in concomitant medication regime during the last 2 weeks prior to visit 1 or after randomization * intake of psychotropic drugs during the last 3 months prior to visit 1 * currently pregnant (verified by urine pregnancy test) or lactating

Locations (1)

Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg

Marburg, Germany