Open-label placebos do not reduce cardiac anxiety, improve sleep quality, or enhance well-being in inpatients with cardiovascular disease undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.
In a randomized controlled trial of 122 inpatients with cardiovascular disease, open-label placebos (OLPs) added to treatment as usual and self-monitoring did not significantly improve cardiac anxiety, sleep quality, or well-being compared to control groups. All groups showed significant improvements over time, but no between-group differences were found for any primary outcome.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Open-label placebos do not reduce cardiac anxiety, improve sleep quality, or enhance well-being in inpatients with cardiovascular disease undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 48/100 (low).
The Claim
Open-label placebos do not reduce cardiac anxiety, improve sleep quality, or enhance well-being in inpatients with cardiovascular disease undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.
This conclusion is most relevant to: Inpatients with cardiovascular disease undergoing cardiac rehabilitation (38% female; aged 40-83 years).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Efficacy of open-label placebos for cardiac anxiety in inpatients with cardiovascular disease: A randomized controlled trial. (Journal of psychosomatic research, 2026) — In a randomized controlled trial of 122 inpatients with cardiovascular disease, open-label placebos (OLPs) added to treatment as usual and self-monitoring did not significantly improve cardiac anxiety, sleep quality, or well-being compared to control groups. All groups showed significant improvements over time, but no between-group differences were found for any primary outcome.
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Patients received open-label placebo with transparent explanation of its nature
- ▸Patients self-monitored symptoms daily
- ▸All groups received standard cardiac rehabilitation treatment
- ▸No additional benefit from OLP beyond standard care and self-monitoring
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Inpatients with cardiovascular disease undergoing cardiac rehabilitation (38% female; aged 40-83 years)
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Study conducted in a structured inpatient setting with effective standard treatment, limiting generalizability to outpatient or less controlled environments
- ▸Short two-week intervention period may not capture long-term OLP effects
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an open-label placebo?▼
An open-label placebo is a placebo treatment given transparently to patients, without deception, meaning patients know they are receiving an inactive substance.
Did the open-label placebo improve sleep quality in this study?▼
No, the open-label placebo did not significantly improve sleep quality compared to treatment as usual or self-monitoring alone.
Who were the participants in this trial?▼
The trial included 122 inpatients with cardiovascular disease, aged 40 to 83 years, undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.
Why might open-label placebos not work in this setting?▼
The structured and effective standard treatment in an inpatient cardiac rehabilitation setting may have limited the potential for additional placebo effects.
References
- 1.Tanzmeister S, Harringer L, Vogel LL, Schienle A. “Efficacy of open-label placebos for cardiac anxiety in inpatients with cardiovascular disease: A randomized controlled trial..” Journal of psychosomatic research, 2026. PMID: 42492114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2026.112929