Dissection of the factors driving the placebo effect in hypnotic treatment of depressed insomniacs

ObjectivesOur prior work has shown that there is improvement in self-reported sleep in persons receiving placebo in hypnotic clinical trials. We examined the components of the “placebo response” in a hypnotic clinical trial.MethodsThis was an exploratory analysis of a randomized, double-blind clinical trial of eszopiclone versus placebo in the treatment of persons with depression and insomnia who were also receiving fluoxetine at a clinic of a teaching hospital. Sixty adults with both depression and insomnia symptoms, who were free of significant primary sleep disorders, received open-label fluoxetine for 9 weeks. Patients were further randomized 1:1 to receive either masked eszopiclone 3 mg or placebo at bedtime after the first week of fluoxetine. We examined the respective contributions of three factors associated with the “placebo effect”: (1) regression to the mean, (2) expectancy, and (3) social desirability.ResultsThere was evidence for regression to the mean for the continuous measurement of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. There was evidence for expectancy in self-reported Wake After Sleep Onset, continuous measurement of ISI, and dichotomous remission/non-remitter measurement of ISI. There was evidence of social desirability affecting self-reported Total Sleep Time.ConclusionsFactors that have been associated with the “placebo effect” are operating in hypnotic clinical trials. However, the role of each factor differs depending upon which self-reported variable is being considered. The findings have implications for clinical trial design in insomnia.