Sham surgeries can heal as well as real ones

Psychology
Sham surgeries can heal as well as real ones

Sham surgeries often deliver healing benefits as effective as real ones, revealing how patient expectations can profoundly shape recovery and pain relief.

In a surprising twist, studies show that fake surgeries can be just as effective as real ones, highlighting the mind's powerful role in healing. A 2002 New England Journal of Medicine study on knee osteoarthritis found patients receiving sham surgery reported similar pain relief and improved function as those undergoing actual procedures after two years.

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