Hedonic Adaptation to Treatment: Evidence from a Medical Intervention
研究通过向乌干达下肢残疾成人提供矫形设备的医疗干预，发现治疗短期内提升生活满意度，但一年后恢复至干预前水平，表明存在享乐适应。
We investigate whether changes in life circumstances lead to long-lasting changes in subjective well-being using a medical intervention that provided orthotic equipment to Ugandan adults with lower limb disabilities. The intervention had a positive effect on mobility and physical health, and treated patients reported a significant improvement in life satisfaction in the first few months after the treatment. However, the effect on subjective well-being was not prolonged. After one year, life satisfaction returned to the pre-treatment levels. The evidence of adaptation is also supported by evidence of changes in patients’ reference levels, in the form of aspirations measured as both the level of income considered sufficient to live well, and the minimum income to make ends meet.