Nocebo effect in inhaler use: Patients' beliefs and treatment adherence
Background: The nocebo effect refers to the experience of nonspecific symptoms attributed to medical treatments, which cannot be explained by the pharmacological effects of the medication. This phenomenon, where symptoms are incorrectly linked to a treatment, can have significant implications for tr...
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667276625000435 |
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| author | Eduardo Garcia-Pachon María J. Soler-Sempere Sandra Ruiz-Alcaraz Ana Ibarra-Macia Marina Belendez-Vazquez |
| author_facet | Eduardo Garcia-Pachon María J. Soler-Sempere Sandra Ruiz-Alcaraz Ana Ibarra-Macia Marina Belendez-Vazquez |
| author_sort | Eduardo Garcia-Pachon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The nocebo effect refers to the experience of nonspecific symptoms attributed to medical treatments, which cannot be explained by the pharmacological effects of the medication. This phenomenon, where symptoms are incorrectly linked to a treatment, can have significant implications for treatment adherence and may lead to increased patient demand for medical assistance. Objective: To ascertain the frequency and types of nocebo effects attributed to inhaler use, along with the associated factors. Methods: An interview was conducted to inquire about adverse effects attributed to inhalers. Additionally, questionnaires on beliefs about medications, general and specific to inhalers, and perceived sensitivity to medications scale were administered. Adherence to inhaled therapy was established using the inhaler adherence test and the electronic prescription refill rate at the pharmacy. Results: A total of 134 patients were included, among whom 21 (16 %) attributed symptoms to inhalers that were considered to be due to the nocebo effect. Patients experiencing nocebo-related symptoms exhibited greater concerns about using inhalers, heightened sensitivity to drug effects, and lower therapeutic adherence. Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients receiving inhaler therapy associate negative symptoms that are not reasonably attributable to the inhalers themselves. Patients prone to attributing nonspecific symptoms to inhalers differ in their beliefs about medications and exhibit lower therapeutic adherence compared to others. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d0c72a5f3b3941d2a963380789aaa164 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2667-2766 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy |
| spelling | doaj-art-d0c72a5f3b3941d2a963380789aaa1642025-08-20T03:49:41ZengElsevierExploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy2667-27662025-06-011810060210.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100602Nocebo effect in inhaler use: Patients' beliefs and treatment adherenceEduardo Garcia-Pachon0María J. Soler-Sempere1Sandra Ruiz-Alcaraz2Ana Ibarra-Macia3Marina Belendez-Vazquez4Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Elche, Alicante, and Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region (FISABIO), Spain; Corresponding author at: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, 03203 Elche, Alicante, Spain.Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Elche, Alicante, and Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region (FISABIO), SpainHospital General Universitario de Elche, Elche, Alicante, and Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region (FISABIO), SpainHospital General Universitario de Elche, Elche, Alicante, and Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region (FISABIO), SpainDepartment of Communication and Social Psychology, University of Alicante, Alicante, SpainBackground: The nocebo effect refers to the experience of nonspecific symptoms attributed to medical treatments, which cannot be explained by the pharmacological effects of the medication. This phenomenon, where symptoms are incorrectly linked to a treatment, can have significant implications for treatment adherence and may lead to increased patient demand for medical assistance. Objective: To ascertain the frequency and types of nocebo effects attributed to inhaler use, along with the associated factors. Methods: An interview was conducted to inquire about adverse effects attributed to inhalers. Additionally, questionnaires on beliefs about medications, general and specific to inhalers, and perceived sensitivity to medications scale were administered. Adherence to inhaled therapy was established using the inhaler adherence test and the electronic prescription refill rate at the pharmacy. Results: A total of 134 patients were included, among whom 21 (16 %) attributed symptoms to inhalers that were considered to be due to the nocebo effect. Patients experiencing nocebo-related symptoms exhibited greater concerns about using inhalers, heightened sensitivity to drug effects, and lower therapeutic adherence. Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients receiving inhaler therapy associate negative symptoms that are not reasonably attributable to the inhalers themselves. Patients prone to attributing nonspecific symptoms to inhalers differ in their beliefs about medications and exhibit lower therapeutic adherence compared to others.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667276625000435Patient beliefsPatient experiencePerceptionsTherapeutic adherence |
| spellingShingle | Eduardo Garcia-Pachon María J. Soler-Sempere Sandra Ruiz-Alcaraz Ana Ibarra-Macia Marina Belendez-Vazquez Nocebo effect in inhaler use: Patients' beliefs and treatment adherence Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy Patient beliefs Patient experience Perceptions Therapeutic adherence |
| title | Nocebo effect in inhaler use: Patients' beliefs and treatment adherence |
| title_full | Nocebo effect in inhaler use: Patients' beliefs and treatment adherence |
| title_fullStr | Nocebo effect in inhaler use: Patients' beliefs and treatment adherence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nocebo effect in inhaler use: Patients' beliefs and treatment adherence |
| title_short | Nocebo effect in inhaler use: Patients' beliefs and treatment adherence |
| title_sort | nocebo effect in inhaler use patients beliefs and treatment adherence |
| topic | Patient beliefs Patient experience Perceptions Therapeutic adherence |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667276625000435 |
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