Jean-Pascal Grenier
@jpthephysiodoc.bsky.social
MD, Internal Medicine & Rheumatology👨⚕️ //
Lecturer in Physiotherapy 👨🏼🏫//
Physiotherapist MSK Pain 🏋️♂️ //
Innsbruck, Austria 🏔️
Lecturer in Physiotherapy 👨🏼🏫//
Physiotherapist MSK Pain 🏋️♂️ //
Innsbruck, Austria 🏔️
This is also building upon the Review by @edzard.bsky.social who found similar problems in studies investigating acupuncture back in 2008 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18626172/
A trial design that generates only ''positive'' results - PubMed
In this article, we test the hypothesis that randomized clinical trials of acupuncture for pain with certain design features (A + B versus B) are likely to generate false positive results. Based on electronic searches in six databases, 13 studies were found that met our inclusion criteria. They all …
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
November 13, 2025 at 7:07 PM
This is also building upon the Review by @edzard.bsky.social who found similar problems in studies investigating acupuncture back in 2008 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18626172/
The A vs. A+B design risks overestimating treatment effects in manual therapy & physio research.#physio #manualtherapy #ebm #physiotherapy #physicaltherapy #shanualtherapy #ptinquest #evidencebasedmedicine #pain #musculoskeletalpain
November 13, 2025 at 7:07 PM
The A vs. A+B design risks overestimating treatment effects in manual therapy & physio research.#physio #manualtherapy #ebm #physiotherapy #physicaltherapy #shanualtherapy #ptinquest #evidencebasedmedicine #pain #musculoskeletalpain
🧭 What this means:
🤔 Be cautious with positive A vs. A+B results.
🧩 Use credible, similar sham controls in trials.
🚫 Positive A vs. A+B results ≠ evidence of efficacy — no drug would be approved with that design. (i had to argue here with a reviewer in another journal...)
🤔 Be cautious with positive A vs. A+B results.
🧩 Use credible, similar sham controls in trials.
🚫 Positive A vs. A+B results ≠ evidence of efficacy — no drug would be approved with that design. (i had to argue here with a reviewer in another journal...)
November 13, 2025 at 7:07 PM
🧭 What this means:
🤔 Be cautious with positive A vs. A+B results.
🧩 Use credible, similar sham controls in trials.
🚫 Positive A vs. A+B results ≠ evidence of efficacy — no drug would be approved with that design. (i had to argue here with a reviewer in another journal...)
🤔 Be cautious with positive A vs. A+B results.
🧩 Use credible, similar sham controls in trials.
🚫 Positive A vs. A+B results ≠ evidence of efficacy — no drug would be approved with that design. (i had to argue here with a reviewer in another journal...)
🔍 What we found:
📉 Only 3/16 studies showed mid-term effects (and few even measured follow-up).
⏱️ 50% found short-term significance, but < half were clinically relevant.
🧪 Weaker studies: 85% positive vs. 50% in stronger ones.
⚠️ Many used non-guideline control treatments.
📉 Only 3/16 studies showed mid-term effects (and few even measured follow-up).
⏱️ 50% found short-term significance, but < half were clinically relevant.
🧪 Weaker studies: 85% positive vs. 50% in stronger ones.
⚠️ Many used non-guideline control treatments.
November 13, 2025 at 7:07 PM
🔍 What we found:
📉 Only 3/16 studies showed mid-term effects (and few even measured follow-up).
⏱️ 50% found short-term significance, but < half were clinically relevant.
🧪 Weaker studies: 85% positive vs. 50% in stronger ones.
⚠️ Many used non-guideline control treatments.
📉 Only 3/16 studies showed mid-term effects (and few even measured follow-up).
⏱️ 50% found short-term significance, but < half were clinically relevant.
🧪 Weaker studies: 85% positive vs. 50% in stronger ones.
⚠️ Many used non-guideline control treatments.
In A vs. A+B designs, extra therapy time, attention & context effects can inflate results — especially when control groups use non-guideline treatments (e.g. heat or electrotherapy alone).
Our hypothesis: Short-term effects yes, long-term none.
Our hypothesis: Short-term effects yes, long-term none.
November 13, 2025 at 7:07 PM
In A vs. A+B designs, extra therapy time, attention & context effects can inflate results — especially when control groups use non-guideline treatments (e.g. heat or electrotherapy alone).
Our hypothesis: Short-term effects yes, long-term none.
Our hypothesis: Short-term effects yes, long-term none.
Reposted by Jean-Pascal Grenier
Thank you for your work on this topic, mikehall314.bsky.social. It blew my mind that I hadn't stumbled across it in all these years writing about what a big nothing burger the "power" of placebo is. A bit weird, really! But better late than never.
PainScience.com/placebo_power_hype
PainScience.com/placebo_power_hype
Placebo Power Hype: Not So Powerful After All?
The placebo effect is fascinating, but there are no mentally-mediated healing miracles.
PainScience.com
June 24, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Thank you for your work on this topic, mikehall314.bsky.social. It blew my mind that I hadn't stumbled across it in all these years writing about what a big nothing burger the "power" of placebo is. A bit weird, really! But better late than never.
PainScience.com/placebo_power_hype
PainScience.com/placebo_power_hype