In this particular study, analgesia was observed during the evocation stage, where participants were exposed to the drink and a placebo, then displayed a decreased lymphocyte activity.
Theoretically, it should work, however in practice may not be feasible, as effects of conditioning last for a short period of time, approximately 4–7 days.
On the other hand, research on the role that both expectancy, alongside conditioning play in inducing the analgesic effect, have prompted ideas to better the practice of pharmacotherapy.
Classical conditioning can inform pharmacotherapy, in encouraging clinicians to help their patients to create associations between the analgesic medication and between pain relieving techniques.
[13] By developing these techniques, even if the medication dosage were reduced, to act as a single-blind placebo, those patients would still be able to experience some pain relief.
This supports the idea of using behavioural conditioning to relieve patients of their pain and not need to continue medication at the same time, despite the durability constraints.
Separately, whilst the associations constructed around shock intensity through social observation were true based on statistical tests, the perception of the experience differ from that of the demonstrator.
Alongside classical conditioning and social observational learning are verbal suggestions, tested as ways in which to engender analgesic effects.
[15] This can be measured using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, containing subscales of which Empathetic Concern was the aspect positively correlated with social observational learning.
This is suggestive of the idea that prosocial behaviour may be linked to placebo effects, as empathy scores tend to be higher where social learning ‘gains’ were greater.