Suzanne G Helfer
Biographic Data
| ID | 4231809 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Suzanne G Helfer |
| GIVEN NAMES | Suzanne G |
| FAMILY NAME | Helfer |
| SIGNATURE | HELFER S G |
| AFFILIATIONS | Adrian College |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 6 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 5 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 6 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2004 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
The development of an implicit measure of treatment expectations
In three preregistered studies, we investigated whether implicit treatment expectations, using a relational implicit measure (the MT-PEP), vary between participants provided opposing information about novel medical treatments (Studies 1 and 2) or who responded based on normative beliefs toward common over-the-counter drugs (Study 3). The studies revealed large Cohen's d effect sizes of both novel and well-known treatment information within the im…
Experimental Assessment of Nocebo Effects and Nocebo Side Effects: Definitions, Study Design, and Implications for Psychiatry and Beyond
Interest in nocebo effects is increasing exponentially: A Google Scholar search for articles referencing nocebo in 1998 (20 years ago) yields 90 results, increasing to 449 in 2008 (10 years ago) and to 1600 in 2018. Increased attention has likely resulted from recognition of the prevalence and potential seriousness of nocebo effects in clinical contexts. It is estimated that up to 97% of reported pharmaceutical side effects are not caused by the …
Why does choice enhance treatment effectiveness? Using placebo treatments to demonstrate the role of personal control
In modern health care, individuals frequently exercise choice over health treatment alternatives. A growing body of research suggests that when individuals choose between treatment options, treatment effectiveness can increase, although little experimental evidence exists clarifying this effect. Four studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that exercising choice over treatment alternatives enhances outcomes by providing greater personal con…
Opioid Analgesia in Persons at Risk for Hypertension
OBJECTIVE: Acute pain sensitivity is reduced in clinical hypertension, but the precise relationship between pain perception and altered blood pressure control is not well-characterized. A negative correlation between resting blood pressure and pain sensitivity is observed throughout the normotensive range, suggesting links between basic mechanisms of blood pressure control and pain regulation. The opioid peptides are important endogenous analgesi…
Goal Activation, Expectations, and the Placebo Effect
Motivational factors receive little attention in current theories of the placebo effect. Reasons for this position are reviewed, and an argument is made for reconsidering the influence of motivation on the placebo effect. The authors hypothesize that nonconscious goals alter reactions to a placebo expectation. Specifically, the authors predict that the placebo effect is most likely to occur when individuals have a goal that can be fulfilled by co…
Elevated Resting Blood Pressure and Dampened Emotional Response
OBJECTIVE: Increased blood pressure is associated with decreased reports of aversiveness for both physical pain and psychosocial stressors. Based on these findings, higher blood pressure could be associated with altered emotional responses to a broader range of stimuli. There are at least 3 ways this could happen: a) less dire response to negative stimuli with no change in response to positive stimuli; b) more positive responses to both negative …
Goal Activation, Expectations, and the Placebo Effect
Motivational factors receive little attention in current theories of the placebo effect. Reasons for this position are reviewed, and an argument is made for reconsidering the influence of motivation on the placebo effect. The authors hypothesize that nonconscious goals alter reactions to a placebo expectation. Specifically, the authors predict that the placebo effect is most likely to occur when individuals have a goal that can be fulfilled by co…
Why does choice enhance treatment effectiveness? Using placebo treatments to demonstrate the role of personal control
In modern health care, individuals frequently exercise choice over health treatment alternatives. A growing body of research suggests that when individuals choose between treatment options, treatment effectiveness can increase, although little experimental evidence exists clarifying this effect. Four studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that exercising choice over treatment alternatives enhances outcomes by providing greater personal con…
Elevated Resting Blood Pressure and Dampened Emotional Response
OBJECTIVE: Increased blood pressure is associated with decreased reports of aversiveness for both physical pain and psychosocial stressors. Based on these findings, higher blood pressure could be associated with altered emotional responses to a broader range of stimuli. There are at least 3 ways this could happen: a) less dire response to negative stimuli with no change in response to positive stimuli; b) more positive responses to both negative …
Goal Activation, Expectations, and the Placebo Effect
Motivational factors receive little attention in current theories of the placebo effect. Reasons for this position are reviewed, and an argument is made for reconsidering the influence of motivation on the placebo effect. The authors hypothesize that nonconscious goals alter reactions to a placebo expectation. Specifically, the authors predict that the placebo effect is most likely to occur when individuals have a goal that can be fulfilled by co…
Opioid Analgesia in Persons at Risk for Hypertension
OBJECTIVE: Acute pain sensitivity is reduced in clinical hypertension, but the precise relationship between pain perception and altered blood pressure control is not well-characterized. A negative correlation between resting blood pressure and pain sensitivity is observed throughout the normotensive range, suggesting links between basic mechanisms of blood pressure control and pain regulation. The opioid peptides are important endogenous analgesi…
Why does choice enhance treatment effectiveness? Using placebo treatments to demonstrate the role of personal control
In modern health care, individuals frequently exercise choice over health treatment alternatives. A growing body of research suggests that when individuals choose between treatment options, treatment effectiveness can increase, although little experimental evidence exists clarifying this effect. Four studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that exercising choice over treatment alternatives enhances outcomes by providing greater personal con…
Experimental Assessment of Nocebo Effects and Nocebo Side Effects: Definitions, Study Design, and Implications for Psychiatry and Beyond
Interest in nocebo effects is increasing exponentially: A Google Scholar search for articles referencing nocebo in 1998 (20 years ago) yields 90 results, increasing to 449 in 2008 (10 years ago) and to 1600 in 2018. Increased attention has likely resulted from recognition of the prevalence and potential seriousness of nocebo effects in clinical contexts. It is estimated that up to 97% of reported pharmaceutical side effects are not caused by the …
The development of an implicit measure of treatment expectations
In three preregistered studies, we investigated whether implicit treatment expectations, using a relational implicit measure (the MT-PEP), vary between participants provided opposing information about novel medical treatments (Studies 1 and 2) or who responded based on normative beliefs toward common over-the-counter drugs (Study 3). The studies revealed large Cohen's d effect sizes of both novel and well-known treatment information within the im…
Psychology (6 works) · Medicine (5 works) · Clinical Psychology (3 works) · Internal Medicine (3 works) · Internal Medicine (3 works) · Pain Management and Placebo Effect (3 works) · Placebo (3 works) · Social Psychology (3 works) · Alternative medicine (2 works) · Behavioral Health and Interventions (2 works)