Placebo Effects: Basic Mechanisms and Clinical Applications, a topical issue of the Zeitschrift fuer Psychologie (Zeitschrift Fur Psychologie)

The placebo effect is probably the most striking and well known demonstration of
the interaction between psychological and somatic factors. This compendium by
leading experts presents the latest findings on this complex psychobiological process.
It provides insights into the underlying mechanisms and the neurobiological
foundation of the placebo effect and shows how we can now develop principles
for clinical application.
The expert contributions look at various models and facets of the placebo phenomenon,
including:
· Placebo effects on physical performance and their manipulation via verbal suggestions
· Antidepressant placebo effects
· Effects of patient involvement in treatment decision-making on placebo effects
· Minimizing carry-over effects after treatment failure by changing the route of
application
· An instrument to assess both specific attitudes towards pain medication and
experiences with pain medication
· The transfer of the placebo analgesic effect to anti-itching medication.

Regine Klinger is Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Hamburg, Germany.
Luana Colloca is in the Department of Bioethics of the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.