The Use of Conditioning Open-Label Placebo in Opioid Dose Reduction: A Case Report and Literature Review

The study explores using conditioning open-label placebo (COLP) to help reduce opioid dosage while maintaining pain relief. COLP involves pairing an active pain medication with an inert placebo and a sensory stimulus (smell) to create a conditioned response. The patient is aware they are taking a placebo, bypassing ethical concerns and potentially enhancing the placebo effect through expectation.

• 1
  The patient could discontinue oxycodone intake (a reduction from 15 morphine equivalents/day) after rehabilitation discharge following COLP treatment.
• 2
  Opioid side effects decreased from 46 to 9 points on the numerical opioid side-effects scale after COLP treatment.
• 3
  A literature review identified five clinical trials using open-label placebo (OLP) or COLP as an intervention for pain control, with most reporting positive outcomes.