Hotel maids who believe they are getting exercise are healthier than maids who don't think of their toil as a workout.

By Wray Herbert

Feb. 27, 2007 - We're all familiar with the diet and exercise shysters on late-night TV. Whatever nostrum they are hawking at the moment, their promise is always a svelte and firm body with—here's the amazing part—absolutely no effort on our part. And all for just $49.99, major credit cards accepted. If you're like me, you tune out these grifters and go make a sandwich. We're no fools, and only a fool expects something for nothing.

But what if there's an element of truth in those wee-hour con games? What if you could, in fact, shed pounds and become healthier with no extra effort or changes in lifestyle? Scientists are highly skeptical of unproven health claims, but they are well aware of the strength of placebos—and what placebos demonstrate about the power of the mind in matters of health. Could a placebo possibly create a mindset that says, convincingly, "I am physically fit"?

Two Harvard psychologists decided to test the potency of such a placebo, but not in the traditional way. Placebos are usually thought of as "sugar pills"—inert tablets or sham procedures that convince people of their healing effects because they resemble regular medicine. But fake pills are just one way of packaging the placebo effect. Harvard psychology professor Ellen Langer and her student, Alia Crum, decided to explore the potential placebo effect of beliefs and expectations—specifically, beliefs and expectations regarding activity and health.

To do so, they visited several hotels in the Boston area, where they persuaded cleaning staff—all women—to take part in an experiment. Those who agreed were given a standard physical examination—measuring weight, body-mass index (BMI), blood pressure and so forth—and were interviewed about their habits, both at work and at home. The psychologists especially wanted to know about the maids' diet, exercise and activity levels.

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See also:

• Psychiatrists and Psychologists: Government's 9/11 Story is Crazy
• Why Do Good? Brain Study Offers Clues

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