Is Open-Label Placebo a New Ergogenic Aid? A Commentary on Existing Studies and Guidelines for Future Research

Author(s)

Saito, Tiemi ^[1] ; Barreto, Gabriel ^[1] ; Saunders, Bryan ^{[2, 1]} ; Gualano, Bruno ^{[1, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med FMUSP, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Appl Physiol & Nutr Res Grp, Rheumatol Div, Av Dr Arnaldo 455, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med FMUSP, Inst Orthopaed & Traumatol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Food Res Ctr FoRC, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SPORTS MEDICINE; v. 50, n. 7 APR 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

The placebo effect has been defined as a genuine psychobiological response that arises from the belief that a positive intervention has been received. However, the notion that belief in an active treatment is necessary to elicit a placebo effect has been challenged. Recent data show that placebo effects may occur even when individuals are openly informed that they are receiving an inert treatment, the so-called open-label placebo. In fact, clinical studies have shown improvements in disease symptoms in patients who underwent an open-label placebo intervention. Now, the application of open-label placebo is attracting interest among the sports science community. Open-label placebo could be a useful and ethically permitted tool to improve exercise performance when applied in combination with other legal ergogenic aids (e.g., nutritional supplements) and/or in place of illegal substances (e.g., anabolic steroids). However, independent laboratories recently investigated the effects of open-label placebo on exercise performance with contrasting results, suggesting that there is much more research required before widespread implementation of open-label placebo in the field of sport and exercise can be justified. Herein we discuss the emerging science on open-label placebo interventions from a clinical setting to sports science. Moreover, we propose a research agenda for investigations on open-label placebo in sports and exercise sciences by covering the main gaps in the field. Addressing the research agenda put forward will help to advance our understanding of this intriguing topic. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/15314-1 - The influence of the CYP1A2 polymorphism on the physiological responses and performance following acute supplementation with caffeine
• Grantee: Gabriel Henrique Castanho Barreto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 17/04973-4 - Nutritional supplementation and exercise to optimise exercise performance: focus on individual responses and a step towards personalized sports nutrition
• Grantee: Bryan Saunders
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers
• FAPESP's process: 16/50438-0 - Nutritional suplementation and exercise to optimize exercise performance: focus on individual responses and a step towards personalized sports nutrition
• Grantee: Bryan Saunders
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants