Schneider T, et al. - Given the efficacy of open-label placebos with patient education in reducing chronic pain, researchers sought to determine the effect of open-label placebos on acute pain in healthy adult males and the influence of placebo education. They included 32 healthy males in this prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded crossover, single-center study assessing pain intensities (via numeric rating scale), area of hyperalgesia (von Frey filament), and allodynia (dry cotton swab) in a pain model employing intracutaneous electrical stimulation. The effect of intravenous open label placebo vs no treatment on pain was assessed. Further, they assessed the effect of placebo on hyperalgesia and allodynia, and the impact of education (short vs detailed) before placebo application. Measurement of saliva cortisol concentrations was done. Outcomes revealed a reduction in pain sensitization in the volunteers in correlation with open-label placebo treatment, however, the extent of placebo education did not alter these responses. This study, thereby suggests a possible role of open-label placebos in multimodal analgesic concepts.