Report of similar placebo response in one internet versus onsite randomised controlled trials from the literature

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the magnitude and the predictors of the placebo response in an internet versus onsite randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in people with hand osteoarthritis (HOA).

Method

This study is a post-hoc analysis based on one internet RCT (RADIANT) and previously published onsite RCTs for HOA identified through a rigorous searching and selection strategy. The magnitude of the placebo response in the two different types of RCTs were compared using heterogeneity statistics and forest plots visualisation. Classic placebo predictors as well as a combined model, defined with data from onsite RCTs, were tested to predict the placebo response.

Results

We analysed the dataset from RADIANT and fourteen previously published onsite RCTs. None of the analyses showed a significant difference between the placebo response for the internet versus onsite RCTs. The “classic” placebo predictors combined in a multivariate predictive model correlated significantly with the placebo response measured in RADIANT study.

Conclusion

Despite the absence of face-to-face interactions with the study personnel, there is no evidence that either the magnitude or the predictors of the placebo response of this internet RCT differ from those of onsite RCTs. This analysis is considered as a first step towards evaluating the difference between these designs and strengthens the argument that internet RCTs remain an acceptable alternative way to assess the efficacy of an active treatment in comparison to a placebo.