Frequency of Adverse Events in the Placebo Arms of Covid-19 Vaccine Trials
jamanetwork.com
jamanetwork.com
I also want to make the point that the article takes what I think should be a simple point with data backing it up, and makes it super confusing both by terminology and by information overload. It would be great to see a simple chart that compares real and placebo effects concisely, instead of the current presentation. Maybe I've strayed to far from academia, but complicated is not better
It’s an interesting discussion topic. On one hand, if you can reduce nocebo responses, it’s good for the volunteers. On the other hand, you don’t want to discourage reporting of side effects.
btw: thanks for posting this very unusual finding
If you had read the first two paragraphs it would have been obvious: Findings In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 articles including AE reports for 45 380 trial participants, systemic AEs were experienced by 35% of placebo recipients after the first dose and 32% after the second. Significantly more AEs were reported in the vaccine groups, but AEs in placebo arms (“nocebo responses”) accounted for 76% of systemic AEs after the first COVID-19 vaccine dose and 52% after the second dose.
Meaning This study found that the rate of nocebo responses in placebo arms of COVID-19 vaccine trials was substantial; this finding should be considered in public vaccination programs.
My own interpretation is that people feel tingy after an injection and report pain even if what they received contained nothing potent.