Table 3.

Correlations of empathy (measured by interpersonal reactivity index and empathy quotient-short scores) and the second expectancy measurement with the magnitude of the placebo effect.

	OLP + OBL	OLP	OBL	Control
	Placebo effect
IRI (EC)	r = −0.14; P = 0.463	—	r = −0.15; P = 0.426	—
IRI (PT)	r = 0.23; P = 0.230	—	r = 0.10; P = 0.604	—
IRI (PD)	r = −0.30; P = 0.112	—	r = −0.01; P = 0.967	—
EQ-short	r = 0.27; P = 0.161	—	r = −0.07; P = 0.725	—
Expectations	r = −0.08; P = 0.387

Placebo effect = the difference between baseline and testing pain ratings.

EC, empathic concern; EQ-short, The Empathy Quotient; IRI, Interpersonal Reactivity Index; OBL, observational learning; OLP, open-label placebo; PD, personal distress; PT, perspective taking.