HOnest Placebos With Explanations: Evaluating Open-Label Placebos for Chronic Pain

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effect of rationale condition when taking open-label placebos on pain by 1) comparing each rationale to the no rationale control condition and the no treatment control condition; and 2) comparing the rationale conditions to each other. We also aim to examine the effect of rationale condition on prescription opioid use by 1) comparing each rationale to the no rationale control condition and the no treatment control condition; and 2) comparing the rationale conditions to each other. This study will include patients with chronic low back pain. The main question it aims to answer is: How do rationales influence the effects of open-label placebos? Researchers will compare different rationales given when taking an open-label placebo and a no-treatment group and a no rationale group taking OLPs.

NCT Number	NCT06931158
Lead Sponsor	Rhode Island Hospital
Conditions	Chronic Low-back Pain, Chronic Pain
Enrollment	327 participants
Start Date	2025-03-10
Primary Completion	2026-06-19 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-06-19 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-07-23