Possible alleviation of symptoms and side effects through clinicians’ nocebo information and empathy in an experimental video vignette study
Abstract To alleviate anti-cancer treatment burden in advanced breast cancer, patient-clinician communication strategies based on nocebo-effect mechanisms are promising. We assessed distinct/combined effects on psychological outcomes (e.g. anxiety; main outcome) and side-effect expectations of (1) n...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-19729-w |
| _version_ | 1797669562929381376 |
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| author | M. C. Meijers J. Stouthard A. W. M. Evers E. Das H. J. Drooger S. J. A. J. Jansen A. L. Francke N. Plum E. van der Wall Y. Nestoriuc E. Dusseldorp L. M. van Vliet |
| author_facet | M. C. Meijers J. Stouthard A. W. M. Evers E. Das H. J. Drooger S. J. A. J. Jansen A. L. Francke N. Plum E. van der Wall Y. Nestoriuc E. Dusseldorp L. M. van Vliet |
| author_sort | M. C. Meijers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract To alleviate anti-cancer treatment burden in advanced breast cancer, patient-clinician communication strategies based on nocebo-effect mechanisms are promising. We assessed distinct/combined effects on psychological outcomes (e.g. anxiety; main outcome) and side-effect expectations of (1) nocebo information about the (non)pharmacological origin of side effects, and (2) clinician-expressed empathy through reassurance of continuing support. Furthermore, we explored whether information and empathy effects on side-effect expectations were mediated by decreased anxiety. In a two-by-two experimental video-vignette design, 160 cancer patients/survivors and healthy women watched one of four videos differing in level of nocebo information (±) and empathy (±). Regression and mediation analysis were used to determine effects of information/empathy and explore anxiety’s mediating role. Anxiety was not influenced by empathy or information (Stai-state: p = 0.281; p = 0.410, VAS p = 0.387; p = 0.838). Information improved (specific) side-effect coping expectations (p < 0.01). Empathy improved side-effect intensity expectations (p < 0.01 = specific; p < 0.05 = non-specific/partial) and specific side-effect probability expectations (p < 0.01), and increased satisfaction, trust, and self-efficacy (p < 0.001). No mediating effects were found of anxiety on expectations. Mainly empathy, but also nocebo information improved psychological outcomes and—mainly specific—side-effect expectations. Exploring the power of these communication elements in clinical practice is essential to diminish the anti-cancer treatment burden in advanced breast cancer. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T20:46:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3dbbc1162b90479293fbd57d0f0b8a86 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T20:46:13Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-3dbbc1162b90479293fbd57d0f0b8a862023-10-01T11:10:30ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222022-09-0112111210.1038/s41598-022-19729-wPossible alleviation of symptoms and side effects through clinicians’ nocebo information and empathy in an experimental video vignette studyM. C. Meijers0J. Stouthard1A. W. M. Evers2E. Das3H. J. Drooger4S. J. A. J. Jansen5A. L. Francke6N. Plum7E. van der Wall8Y. Nestoriuc9E. Dusseldorp10L. M. van Vliet11Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Department of Health-, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden UniversityDepartment of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer InstituteHealth, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Department of Health-, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden UniversityCentre for Language Studies, Radboud University NijmegenHealth, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Department of Health-, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden UniversityHealth, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Department of Health-, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden UniversityNIVEL, Netherlands Institute of Health Services ResearchDepartment of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityDepartment of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed ForcesMethodology and Statistics Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden UniversityHealth, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Department of Health-, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden UniversityAbstract To alleviate anti-cancer treatment burden in advanced breast cancer, patient-clinician communication strategies based on nocebo-effect mechanisms are promising. We assessed distinct/combined effects on psychological outcomes (e.g. anxiety; main outcome) and side-effect expectations of (1) nocebo information about the (non)pharmacological origin of side effects, and (2) clinician-expressed empathy through reassurance of continuing support. Furthermore, we explored whether information and empathy effects on side-effect expectations were mediated by decreased anxiety. In a two-by-two experimental video-vignette design, 160 cancer patients/survivors and healthy women watched one of four videos differing in level of nocebo information (±) and empathy (±). Regression and mediation analysis were used to determine effects of information/empathy and explore anxiety’s mediating role. Anxiety was not influenced by empathy or information (Stai-state: p = 0.281; p = 0.410, VAS p = 0.387; p = 0.838). Information improved (specific) side-effect coping expectations (p < 0.01). Empathy improved side-effect intensity expectations (p < 0.01 = specific; p < 0.05 = non-specific/partial) and specific side-effect probability expectations (p < 0.01), and increased satisfaction, trust, and self-efficacy (p < 0.001). No mediating effects were found of anxiety on expectations. Mainly empathy, but also nocebo information improved psychological outcomes and—mainly specific—side-effect expectations. Exploring the power of these communication elements in clinical practice is essential to diminish the anti-cancer treatment burden in advanced breast cancer.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-19729-w |
| spellingShingle | M. C. Meijers J. Stouthard A. W. M. Evers E. Das H. J. Drooger S. J. A. J. Jansen A. L. Francke N. Plum E. van der Wall Y. Nestoriuc E. Dusseldorp L. M. van Vliet Possible alleviation of symptoms and side effects through clinicians’ nocebo information and empathy in an experimental video vignette study Scientific Reports |
| title | Possible alleviation of symptoms and side effects through clinicians’ nocebo information and empathy in an experimental video vignette study |
| title_full | Possible alleviation of symptoms and side effects through clinicians’ nocebo information and empathy in an experimental video vignette study |
| title_fullStr | Possible alleviation of symptoms and side effects through clinicians’ nocebo information and empathy in an experimental video vignette study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Possible alleviation of symptoms and side effects through clinicians’ nocebo information and empathy in an experimental video vignette study |
| title_short | Possible alleviation of symptoms and side effects through clinicians’ nocebo information and empathy in an experimental video vignette study |
| title_sort | possible alleviation of symptoms and side effects through clinicians nocebo information and empathy in an experimental video vignette study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-19729-w |
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