Influence of sensory suggestibility on treatment outcome in headache patients.

In 45 headache patients the relationship between sensory suggestibility and three measures of treatment effect--ratings on (1) intensity of headaches; (2) efficacy of drugs, and (3) physician's competence--was investigated in a double-blind long-term crossover study. Subjects scoring high on sensory suggestibility clearly showed more relief of headaches upon the analgesic as well as upon the placebo. The physician's competence was rated higher by high-suggestible patients, whereas ratings on drug efficacy were low in all patients. The seemingly controversial behavior of high-suggestible patients was interpreted as a call for continuation of the physician's efforts in spite of the relief the patients already achieved.