Mind-set Matters: Exercise and the Placebo Effect
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Date
2007
Author(s)
Crum, Alia J.
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing
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Citation
Crum, Alia J., and Ellen J. Langer. 2007. Mind-set matters: Exercise and the placebo effect. Psychological Science 18, no. 2: 165-171.
Abstract
In a study testing whether the relationship between exercise and health is moderated by one's mind-set, 84 female room attendants working in seven different hotels were measured on physiological health variables affected by exercise. Those in the informed condition were told that the work they do (cleaning hotel rooms) is good exercise and satisfies the Surgeon General's recommendations for an active lifestyle. Examples of how their work was exercise were provided. Subjects in the control group were not given this information. Although actual behavior did not change, 4 weeks after the intervention, the informed group perceived themselves to be getting significantly more exercise than before. As a result, compared with the control group, they showed a decrease in weight, blood pressure, body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index. These results support the hypothesis that exercise affects health in part or in whole via the placebo effect.
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Item type:Story, Mind-set Matters: Exercise and the Placebo… : DASH Story 2013-03-06I am preparing a sermon for a Cascade Unitarian Universalist Fellowship service in April (2013) on the subject of mind over matter. I would like to quote Alia Crum's research on the placebo effect (hotel maid experiment and milkshake experiment) and appreciate Harvard's publication of this document.Item type:Story, Mind-set Matters: Exercise and the Placebo… : DASH Story 2013-10-02As a yoga and meditation teacher, I constantly stress the mind-body connection and its effect on wellness. Access to the study "Mind-set Matters: Exercise and the Placebo Effect" provides me scientific evidence to share with my students, to enhance their understanding of a topic that many find slightly suspect. Thank you!Item type:Story, Mind-set Matters: Exercise and the Placebo… : DASH Story 2014-03-03Gathering research to support the funding of a mindfulness program at a Fortune 500 company. Having open access to this study saved me both time and potentially money. Thank you!!Item type:Story, Mind-set Matters: Exercise and the Placebo… : DASH Story 2014-05-31I work in Human Resources at a large casino/hotel. We have retention issues with our housekeeping staff. I am looking for ways to help change their mind set about the tough, physical work they do.Item type:Story, Mind-set Matters: Exercise and the Placebo… : DASH Story 2014-08-16By allowing me access to these articles, OAF has helped me acquire much more information. My world has become more interesting, and I understand a little more. Thank you!Item type:Story, Mind-set Matters: Exercise and the Placebo… : DASH Story 2015-01-29I am 17 and I am living in the beautiful mountains of Austria. I am doing some research here for my school leaving examination this spring. Part of this is to write a diploma thesis about any topic I am interested in. I made the decision to write about the epigenetic influence on human body. I do not really regret my choice, but it is quite hard to write an scientific diploma thesis about a topic which is not really verified at all! Most of the parts I am writing about are based of american studies that really impress me! After all I am quite happy to write and research a topic like that, even if it means i have much more work (doing all that translations) than anyone else has during their work. I am really thankful about this studies beeing online! Many thanks from Austria!Item type:Story, Mind-set Matters: Exercise and the Placebo… : DASH Story 2015-03-24As a wellness coach it's important that I be able to provide evidence for what works, what doesn't, how change can occur. For myself as a learner it's important to find theoretical and research antecedents for the underpinnings of my belief. A service such as this -- easy to access, no cost -- is invaluable.Item type:Story, Mind-set Matters: Exercise and the Placebo… : DASH Story 2016-02-03I am a therapist, recently having completed my Masters degree. As a graduate, I found that much of my access to academic sources was limited or cut off completely. This has greatly hindered my ability to continue my own research and learning. I have been incredibly grateful for Harvard's Open Access, as it has allowed me to pursue my research in this period of time in which I am not connected to an academic institution.Item type:Story, Mind-set Matters: Exercise and the Placebo… : DASH Story 2016-02-17I teach at a community college and was asked to give a presentation to students about stress during success week. The ease with which I accessed this article allows me to show students the actual research design and methodology and reinforces the importance of using and citing references.Item type:Story, Mind-set Matters: Exercise and the Placebo… : DASH Story 2016-03-23I am writing a book and developing behavioral interventions to promote brain health and flourishing. In exploring the topic of stress, I read "The Upside of Stress" by Kelly McGonical, who mentioned the research on stress mindsets by Alia Crum and Ellen Langer. I am familiar with Langer, but not with Crum and I wanted to read her original research papers, rather than rely simply on McGonigal's summary. I am not attached to a university and cannot afford to pay $35 for each research paper I want to read. I am always thrilled and grateful when important papers are made available for free to the general public. I appreciate the need for people to get paid for their work, but broad, unrestricted access to information is so critical to fostering the an open dialogue that is grounded in research rather than intuition.