Placebo Effect Present in ADHD Caregivers
Posted on September 9, 2009The placebo effect is a concept studied in a number of research trials to determine if medication works as well or better than the belief of the potential of the medication. In other words, is a person receiving a benefit from the medication or the belief the medication is working?
Now a new study is measuring the placebo effect impact on those not actually needing or receiving medication. Science Daily recently released a report covering research conducted by the University at Buffalo.
This study suggests medications such as Ritalin and Adderall to treat ADHD create a placebo effect. The contrast here is this effect is taking place in teachers, parents or other adults who evaluate children dealing with ADHD.
In this study, researchers believe caregivers who believed their ADHD patients were receiving ADHD medication tended to view the children more favorably and treat them more positively, whether actual medication was involved or not.
“The act of administering medication, or thinking a child has received medication, may induce positive expectancies in parents and teachers about the effects of that medication, which may, in turn, influence how parents and teachers evaluate and behave toward children with ADHD,” said UB researcher Daniel A. Waschbusch, Ph.D., lead author of the review, in Science Daily.
“We speculate that the perception that a child is receiving ADHD medication may bring about a shift in attitude in a teacher or caregiver. They may have a more positive view of the child, which could create a better relationship. They may praise the child more, which may induce better behavior.”
While it can be a positive thing if caregivers are treating children more positively if they believe the child is on medication. The problem could arise if the child’s medication is increased because it is believed to be effective when in truth, perception is skewed.
