Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsDr. Helena Hartmann (she/her) @helenahartmann.com · 05/10/2026New null results hot off the press! 🤩 We wanted to see whether taking a #placebo painkiller not only reduces your pain, but also generalizes to your ability to perceive your heartbeat (related to #interoception). It doesn't, but that's okay 😄 Read it here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... 353
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsUlrike Bingel @ulrikebingel.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Its been an honor to hold the Keynote lecture and so inspiring to be part of the panel discussion on patient involvement. Thanks so much to the fantastic patient advisory board of CRC Treatment Expectation and @jlaferton.bsky.social and team for a great conference in beautiful Potsdam @dfg.de 171
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Our speaker @ulrikebingel.bsky.social talked with @deutschlandfunk.de.web.brid.gy, how patients' treatment expectations influence health! To the German episode: www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/op-placebo-w...deutschlandfunkkultur.deOP-Placebo - Wie beeinflussen Patientenerwartungen die Heilung? 110
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Some of our members were at the DGVM Congress in Potsdam yesterday! ✨ The topics? 1️⃣ treatment expectations 💊 2️⃣ patient involvement 🤕 With @ulrikebingel.bsky.social @jlaferton.bsky.social and many more not on Bluesky! www.dgvm2026.de 161
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsThe Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Are you from the Essen area and interested in writing your medical dissertation in the field of pain research? Then we're looking for you! 😀 "Layers of Pain" is a super cool project based at the @elh-institute.bsky.social using 7T neuroimaging techniqes! 🧲🧠 044
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsErwin L. Hahn Institute for MRI @elh-institute.bsky.social · 30/09/2026‼️The Deadline is today! If you haven't applied yet, do it now. We're a cool bunch, we promise 😁 043
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsTamas Spisak @tspisak.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Beyond pain: a brain-based biomarker predicts individual pain relief 056
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Shout-out to @torwager.bsky.social and the CAN Lab, who created this amazing resource for all #placebo researchers! 💊 Check it out: scienceofplacebo.org 0134
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 14/09/2026⏰ New preprint ⏰ Our PhD student Jialin Li (@jialinli02.bsky.social) developed the PAin and RElief Signature (PARES), a multivariate brain signature trained to predict bidirectional changes in pain perception! ⬆️⬇️ Read the work here: www.biorxiv.org/content/bior... 141
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsErwin L. Hahn Institute for MRI @elh-institute.bsky.social · 02/09/2026We’re looking for a PhD researcher in high-resolution laminar fMRI! 🔬 Laminar fMRI of Hippocampus 🌍 International, interdisciplinary team 📍 Essen, Germany | 4-year PhD position | 75% part-time ℹ️ Subject to the approval of the funder 👉 Apply by 30 September 2026: www.uni-due.de/karriere/ste...static.klipy.comPenguin's Job ApplicationAlt: Penguin repeatedly hits a sign labelled “Job Application”. 064
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 10/09/2026A new (German) podcast episode has been added to ut podcast playlist, this time by @helenahartmann.com who was a guest in "Stille Regie" and talks about placebos, pain, and the subconscious 🤩 open.spotify.com/episode/3G19...open.spotify.com#25 Placebo, Schmerz und das Unterbewusstsein - Interview mit Dr. Helena HartmannStille Regie - der Podcast über das Unterbewusstsein · Episode 072
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Great work on the influence of warmth and competence of doctors on patient understanding and the patient-doctor-relationship! 😍 030
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsThe Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 23/06/2026In case you missed it, we have a bilingual video series called 🥜 "In a nutshell" 🥜 In this series, our scientists explain what their work has to do with expectations, what new research found, & what patients can do to feel better. Here they are all in a thread for you to browse & watch! ⤵️static.klipy.comJason Bateman: In A NutshellALT: Jason Bateman: In A Nutshell 145
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 07/09/2026How can we leverage expectation effects to improve outcomes in the context of digital mental health interventions? Read about it here: doi.org/10.1016/j.in... 141
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsThe Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 12/08/2026😖 Chronische Schmerzen? 😖 Dann suchen wir dich für unsere neue #Onlinestudie (Dauer: 30 min, Aufwandsentschädigung 15 Euro)! 🤩 Hilf uns herauszufinden, wie chronische Schmerzen das Denken, Fühlen und Handeln beeinflussen. 🤔 ▶️ Zum Fragebogen: tinyurl.com/Online-Schme... 057
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Great work from our affiliated project AF05 led by @tobikube.bsky.social! 🌟 Positive framing (the likelihood of NOT HAVING a disease) reduces perceived risk & emotional concern to normal diagnostic test results. It also reduces intentions for follow-up consultations & further tests. 131
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Are you from the Essen area and interested in writing your medical dissertation in the field of pain research? Then we're looking for you! 😀 "Layers of Pain" is a super cool project based at the @elh-institute.bsky.social using 7T neuroimaging techniqes! 🧲🧠 044
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsLukas A. Basedow, PhD @labasedow.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Great and important paper ( @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social )! On one hand surprising on the other hand, I guess the meta-meta nature of the analysis really hides the specific differences between settings (as the authors acknowledge) www.jclinepi.com/article/S089...jclinepi.comImpact of active placebo controls on estimated drug effects in randomized trials: a meta-epidemiological studyOur objectives were, first, to assess the impact of active placebo vs standard placebo control interventions on estimated benefits of experimental interventions in pharmacological randomized clinical ... 121
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Here are some impressions from the Essen #GlobalWalkAgainstPain, held in the remarkable surroundings of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zeche Zollverein. Together, we raised awareness of what it means to live with pain — and of the challenges we still face in understanding and treating it. 122
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 28/08/2026😍 New work from A18 😍 We found that optimizing expectations leads to enhanced efficacy of a mindfulness‐based intervention in individuals with low‐baseline expectations! Read the publication in the Journal of Clinical Psychology here: doi.org/10.1002/jclp...doi.orgOptimizing Expectations Leads to Enhanced Efficacy of a Mindfulness‐Based Intervention in Individuals With Low‐Baseline Expectations: A Randomized Controlled TrialIntroduction Treatment expectations for medical and psychological treatments and positive patient-provider interactions are critical mechanisms driving the placebo effect and may augment an interven... 240
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 25/08/2026New opinion paper in @cp-trendsneuro.bsky.social led by Katja Wiech and @ulrikebingel.bsky.social! ▶️ Beyond Bayesian integration: how meaning shapes placebo effects Read the paper: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... 1126
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 22/08/2026Today is the last Meet the Scientist event aboard the #MSWissenschaft and one of our emerging PIs, Marcel Wilhelm from @unimarburg.bsky.social, is there to answer all of your questions! ✨ 10:00-15:00 in Mainz! ms-wissenschaft.de/de/veranstal... @w-i-d.de 071
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 21/08/2026German publication from A13 PI Regine Klinger on treatment expectations in the perioperative setting! www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejo... 010
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 20/08/2026👥 Today is meeting day 👥 The overarching projects explained new developments over the 2nd funding period, especially regarding data sharing, psychometrics, and involvement of our patient advisory board! Z02: treatment-expectation.de/projekte-peo... Z03: treatment-expectation.de/projekte-peo... 030
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsKlinik für Neurologie Essen @neurologieessen.bsky.social · 17/08/2026🫵⏳⚡Haben Sie chronische Schmerzen? 💻❓Im Rahmen eines Forschungsprojekts am Universitätsklinikum Essen suchen wir Personen mit chronischen Schmerzen jeder Art für die Teilnahme an einer kurzen Online-Fragebogenstudie. 1/3 121
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsTobias Kube @tobikube.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Is 10% the same as 1 in 10? It is not, our results suggest, at least not in terms of how people respond to such likelihoods when it comes to medical diagnostic information. Results speak to the importance of thoughtful likelihood framing in clinical practice. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti....sciencedirect.comWhen ‘unlikely’ is not the same as ‘likely not’: Effects of likelihood framing and numerical format on patients’ responses to normal diagnostic test resultsCommunicating the results of diagnostic testing is a central task in clinical practice. Even when results are normal, patients may remain concerned, p… 1154
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 14/08/2026In a rare occasion, nearly all of our science comunication team members came together in one virtual room to discuss next steps! 😍 #scicomm rocks! ⭐ @ulrikebingel.bsky.social @helenahartmann.com 051
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 14/08/2026As #pain researchers, we are happy to participate in the Global Walk Against Pain on August 29th to raise awareness of chronic pain! 💪 More info about the walk: walkagainstpain.org @ulrikebingel.bsky.social @neurologieessen.bsky.social @unidue.bsky.social @elh-institute.bsky.social 031
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsUlrike Bingel @ulrikebingel.bsky.social · 13/08/2026amazing, international team effort led by ECRs from our CRC and worldwide!! 131
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 13/08/2026⭐ New work from our early career researchers!⭐ In this review, we outline methodological considerations for designing and conducting #openlabelplacebo studies in #pain research and beyond - with direct experience in conducting such studies from each author. Read the paper: doi.org/10.1097/j.pa... 273
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 12/08/2026😖 Chronische Schmerzen? 😖 Dann suchen wir dich für unsere neue #Onlinestudie (Dauer: 30 min, Aufwandsentschädigung 15 Euro)! 🤩 Hilf uns herauszufinden, wie chronische Schmerzen das Denken, Fühlen und Handeln beeinflussen. 🤔 ▶️ Zum Fragebogen: tinyurl.com/Online-Schme... 057
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsLukas A. Basedow, PhD @labasedow.bsky.social · 09/08/2026While I'm not a big imaging guy I think this is a really useful and interesting analysis. Might be a bit biased as this work is led by fellow @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social members. Congrats to the team! www.nature.com/articles/s41...nature.comMeta-analytic evidence for distinct neural correlates of conditioned versus verbally induced placebo analgesia - Nature CommunicationsPlacebo analgesia shows that expectations induced by suggestions or conditioning can reduce pain without active treatment. Here, the authors conduct an individual-level meta-analysis of 16 studies and... 111
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 04/08/2026Important work led by one of our PIs, @sheddenmora.bsky.social! 🤩 This study investigated psychological determinants of pregnancy-related symptom burden in 347 women. Read it here: doi.org/10.1038/s415...doi.orgExpectations predict early pregnancy-related symptom burden - Scientific ReportsScientific Reports - Expectations predict early pregnancy-related symptom burden 142
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 03/08/2026⏰ New preprint ⏰ "Layer-specific cortical processing dissociates sensory and cognitive influences on pain" www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... Collab w. @elh-institute.bsky.social, @tspisak.bsky.social, @ulrikebingel.bsky.social and some people not on here 😍 196
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsLukas A. Basedow, PhD @labasedow.bsky.social · 02/08/2026All the details are in the thread, just wanted to say this is really cool work. @sirileknes.bsky.social discussed some her work for a @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social webinar which was fantastic as well ( youtu.be/rRQb2NhDs60?...) bsky.app/profile/siri...youtu.beWebinar: Siri Leknes - When and how opioids fail to meet expectationsYouTube video by Die Macht der Erwartungen 263
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsNathan Huneke @nathanhuneke.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Placebo effects are only part of the story. Our new review argues that antidepressant trial outcomes are also influenced by diagnostic uncertainty, illness trajectory, measurement variability, and functional unblinding, with important implications for drug development. doi.org/10.1176/appi...doi.orgDeterminants of Nonspecific Response to Treatment in Randomized Controlled Trials of Major Depressive Disorder: A Narrative Review | American Journal of PsychiatryThe design, conduct, and interpretation of double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials in major depressive disorder (MDD) are complicated by determinants of nonspecific response to trea... 072
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Tolles Interview mit @ulrikebingel.bsky.social vom Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR) 🔽 www.gesundheitsforschung-bmftr.de/de/mit-dem-p...gesundheitsforschung-bmftr.deMit dem Placebo-Effekt wirken viele Behandlungen besser - DLR GesundheitsforschungWie gut eine Therapie wirkt, wird auch durch den Placebo-Effekt beeinflusst. Wie sich dieser beeinflussen lässt und welche Rolle Therapeutinnen und Therapeuten dabei spielen, erläutert Professorin Ulr... 043
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsAndreas Strube @astrube.bsky.social · 29/07/20261/ Laura Kim, @scheibenbogen.bsky.social and colleagues show that thalamic hyperconnectivity in ME/CFS shifts toward healthy-control patterns after HBOT, most strongly in patients who improve. But what is the thalamus actually computing in this circuit? link.springer.com/article/10.1...link.springer.comME/CFS and the thalamus as a precision gate: what reversible thalamocortical connectivity reveals about central gain in post-infectious fatigue - Journal of Translational MedicineKim and colleagues report a finding that is easy to understate: thalamic hyperconnectivity with sensorimotor and visuo-occipital cortices, present in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fa... 181
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsErwin L. Hahn Institute for MRI @elh-institute.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Amazing news! Congratulations to Balint! 🍾🥳🍾 051
Reposted by The Power of ExpectationsDr. Helena Hartmann (she/her) @helenahartmann.com · 29/07/2026New (German) podcast episode from Paracelsus Lab 🧠 I talk about placebo and nocebo effects, and their role in modern medicine! 👩⚕️🏥⚕️ open.spotify.com/episode/1Cdq... If you like the topic, here are other podcast episodes where I was a guest: open.spotify.com/playlist/51h... @sfb-trr-289.bsky.socialopen.spotify.comPlacebo & Nocebo: Wie Erwartungen Heilung beeinflussen (Dr. Helena Hartmann)PARACELSUS LAB · Episode 041
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Thanks @torwager.bsky.social for this enlightening dispatch in @currentbiology.bsky.social! 🤩 Read it here: www.cell.com/current-biol... And here is the discussed work in @cp-neuron.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.ne... 0114
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 27/07/2026A lay summary explains this cool study from @stefaniebrassen.bsky.social et al. 😍 www.clearskyscience.com/en/10.1038/s...clearskyscience.comAcute placebo responsiveness predicts longitudinal expectation effects in antidepressant treatment · Clear Sky ScienceStudy shows that positive treatment expectations can bias emotional perception toward happiness and predict antidepressant outcomes. 073
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Great work from one of our CRC members, @astrube.bsky.social! 030
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 22/07/2026💐✨ Huge congrats to Dr. Balint Kincses ✨💐 He has received the IFORES Career Kickstart grant for "Layers of pain: uncovering the mechanisms in the cortical integration of bottom-up and top-down processes in pain perception and its modulation using ultra-high field fMRI" @elh-institute.bsky.social 081
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 20/07/2026More than words: Experience shapes #placebo pain relief through additional brain pathways 🧠 We're excited to share our latest publication in @natcomms.nature.com! 🤩 🔗 Read the paper: rdcu.be/fuxmn #neuroskyence #PsychSciSky #Neuroscience #PainResearch #BrainImaging #TeamScience #Reproducibility 11810
The Power of Expectations @sfb-trr-289.bsky.social · 17/07/2026“People interpret numbers in very different ways,” says psychologist @tobikube.bsky.social in the latest episode of our CRC podcast 🎙️👨⚕️ In medicine, it is particularly important to communicate quantities and figures sensitively. Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/6mC0... 043