Analysis of the analgesic mechanism of intra oral chronic pain by the positive expectation for the treatment

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18659
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima (2021-2023); Tokyo Medical and Dental University (2020)
• Principal Investigator: WATANABE Takeshi 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(医学域), 助教 (80815217)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-03-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ノセボ効果 / プラセボ効果 / 歯科

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Nocebo effect, a phenomenon characterized by suboptimal treatment efficacy, worsening of symptoms, or the occurrence of adverse events caused by a patient's negative treatment expectation has attracted attention among various medical fields. Although in dentistry, there are many factors which may cause nocebo effects such as sharp instruments and unpleasant sound, the amount of evidence regarding nocebo effect is limited. In this project, we published a review article which showed the importance of conducting reserch in nocebo effect in the field of dentistry (Watanabe et al., J. Oral Rehabil. 2022). Moreover, we also performed a meta-analysis showing the nocebo response in the placebo arm of clinical trials in analgesic treatment after third molar removal (Watanabe et al., J. Oral Rehabil. 2023). We'll conduct further studies eliucidating the mechanism of nocebo effect and how minimize nocebo effect in dental clinical practice.

Free Research Field

疫学、歯科医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

歯科は痛みや不快感を伴う治療が多いが、そういった痛みや不快感は、治療に対する向き合い方次第で、軽減することが可能であることが本研究により示唆されている。臨床研究などによって、ノセボ効果発生のメカニズムやノセボ効果の最小化を実現する治療法の開発を行うことで、患者さんの治療における痛みや不快感を最小化し、治療効果を最大化することが出来ると期待している。