Psychiatr Pol
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Neurobiology of the placebo effect dates back to 1978, when Levine discovered that its analgesic action is reversed by naloxone. Since then, various studies have been performed to estimate the impact of placebo on brain metabolism and neurotransmission in analgesia, depression or the Parkinson's disease. ⋯ Environmental conditions, which may result in placebo efficacy increase of seven percent per decade during the last years, are also looked into. Although certain ethical and legal dilemmas appear considering the use of placebo, it is beyond any doubt that realising the influence of expectation and conditioning on the neurobiology of the placebo effect, as well as on the proper therapy, should enable better patient handling and treatment in the future.
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Comparative Study
[Patients' opinions on services provided in psychiatric and neurological wards--a comparison].
To compare patients' opinions about services in psychiatric and neurological wards in the years 2005 and 2007. ⋯ Staff friendliness plays a very important role during the hospitalisation. Both groups indicate dimensions requiring improvement: access to information, form of contact with staff, emotional support. The resultsindicate a contrast between the system of support on psychiatric wards and lack of this on the neurological ones. The neurological wards can use psychiatric ward positive experience regarding patients' emotional support received from nurses and the building staff patients relationship based on ideas of the therapeutic community. The changes in medical care between 2005 and 2007 had no effect on the quality of services in both kinds of wards. Progress of quality in psychiatric and neurological wards requires structural changes in medical care.