Combining mindfulness intervention and open-label placebo treatment for chronic pain: a protocol for a feasibility study.
Pilot and Feasibility Studies August 20, 2025 Chung Jung Mun, Estrella Contreras, Yushu Xiao et al.
This paper describes the protocol for a feasibility randomized controlled trial that will compare mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) alone, open-label placebo (OLP) alone, and a combined MBSR+OLP intervention for chronic pain. The authors note that MBSR has modest effect sizes and does not engage the endogenous opioid system, while OLP may activate that system. The trial will include an 8-week intervention period with four in-person sessions and a 3-month follow-up. The goal is to assess feasibility and acceptability to inform a future multi-site efficacy trial.