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Placebo and Nocebo Responses, Cortisol, and Circulating Beta-Endorphin

From the Departments of Orthopedic Surgery (O.J.) and Clinical Chemistry (J.B.), The University Hospital of North Norway, and the Department of Psychology (M.A.F.), University of Tromsø, Norway

View larger version (17K): [in a new window]   Fig. 1. Mean pain ratings in the three groups from pain = 7, for every 5 minutes after pain = 7, and 5 minutes after removal of the tourniquet. At pain = 7, the Placebo group received an injection with information that it was a painkiller, and the Nocebo group received an injection with information that it would increase the pain. The Natural History group did not receive the injection and information. Error bars indicate ±1 standard error of the mean (SEM).

View larger version (24K): [in a new window]   Fig. 2. Mean beta-endorphin in the three groups before the start of the experiment, at pain = 7, for every 5 minutes after pain = 7, and 5 minutes after removal of the tourniquet. Error bars indicate ±1 SEM.

View larger version (23K): [in a new window]   Fig. 3. Mean cortisol in the three groups before the start of the experiment, at pain = 7, for every 5 minutes after pain = 7, and 5 minutes after removal of the tourniquet. Error bars indicate ±1 SEM.