Design
depression, lower back pain, pain
DISEASE, RESPIRATORY INFECTION
We employed a 3 × 5 between-within subjects design and measured the same three dependent variables as in Study 2. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three between-subjects groups, which differed in the disease context of the patient scenario. Group 1 were presented with the same scenario of a respiratory infection involving potential antibiotic treatment as in Study 2. Group 2 were presented with a scenario of less severe depression involving potential treatment with antidepressants. Group 3 were presented with a scenario of lower back pain involving potential treatment with prescription pain killers. Like in Study 2, all participants completed five within-subjects treatment conditions in randomised order, including (1) blinded + pure placebo, (2) open-label + pure placebo, (3) open-label + impure placebo, (4) medicine treatment, and (5) no treatment.