According to a recent study in The Journal of Pain, previous pain experience and mere possession of a placebo analgesic anticipated placebo analgesia thereby presenting a new perception on the progression of effect of placebo.

This randomised clinical trial was performed in 127 healthy individuals to clarify if the mere possession of a placebo analgesic can influence pain for people with and without instantaneous prior experience.

The study participants were stratified into groups as: people with previous pain (PP) or with no prior pain (No-PP). Firstly, the people in PP performed an initial trial comprising of a cold pressor test (CPT) to encourage direct encounter with this pain stimulus. They were randomized to have an inert cream (each of an analgesic or anti-itch cream). The main CPT was completed afterwards. Except for preliminary CPT (hence, no instantaneous previous CPT pain experience), the people in No-PP condition had the same settings as PP.

A noteworthy previous pain experience and possession status interaction consequence on placebo analgesia was revealed. Participants in the No-PP condition but not PP condition displayed confirmation of reduced pain when they merely had an analgesic cream as compared to an anti-itch cream. This trial discussed the effect of anticipation and emotion on the basic process.