This article aims to discuss the relations between the placebo effect and methylphenidate, a drug used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), through the concept of meaning response elaborated by Daniel Moerman (2002). Meaning response is related to the placebo effect, but covers a wider range of phenomena. It takes into account the psychological and physiological effects that go along with the meanings that people give to their diseases or illnesses, which involves both the effects of inert substances and standard medication. The study analyzed scientific papers that compared the effects of methylphenidate to placebo. The search has occurred in the Pubmed database for the period 2000-2010. We observe that the meaning response occurs in studies comparing methylphenidate and placebo, however we suggest that this response starts before the treatment. In other words, it starts when the individual and his family receive the ADHD diagnostic, which may represent relief to their behavioral problems and hope that the methylphenidate treatment will be efficient.
methylphenidate; attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity; placebo effect