The Effects of Open-label Placebos on Acute Stress

Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorUniversity of Auckland, New Zealand

About this trial

The goal of this study is to find out whether an open-label placebo nasal spray can reduce stress among individuals engaging in a high-stress canyon swing. The main questions the study aims to answer are: 1) Does an open-label placebo increase likelihood of participants completing another jump? 2) Does the placebo affect how long it takes participants to jump, reduce the reported stress levels before the jump 3) Does the placebo change how enjoyable participants find the jump?

Researchers will compare participants who receive an open-label placebo nasal spray (a spray that contains no active medication and is clearly described as a placebo) with participants who receive no treatment (control). The aim is to see whether the placebo nasal spray can increase likelihood of participants completing another jump, reduce reported stress and improve participants overall enjoyment of the jump.

Participants will:

* Complete a short questionnaire before they jump * Either self administer a placebo nasal spray (one spray in each nostril) right before stepping through the gate to jump, or receive no treatment (control). * Complete a short questionnaire after completing the jump * Whether they complete another jump will be noted

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Signed-up to complete the canyon swing

Aged 18 years and over

Able to speak and understand English

Comfortable being randomised to either the open-label placebo or no-treatment control condition

Disqualifiers

Under 18 years of age

Unable to speak or understand English

Unable to provide informed consent

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Open Label Placebo

Treatment groups

260 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups