Articles tagged with Placebos
Neurobiologists have identified the brain circuitry responsible for placebo pain relief, revealing a site where endogenous opioid peptides drive pain relief. The study offers hope for using expectancy-driven placebo effects as a substitute for painkillers and developing protocols to produce placebo pain resilience in humans.
A clinical trial aims to evaluate whether laser therapy reduces vaginal dryness caused by breast cancer treatment. The study, REVITALIZE, plans to enroll approximately 250 women with a history of breast cancer who experience moderate to severe vaginal dryness.
A new clinical trial at the University of Cincinnati is testing a peptide solution to treat prosthetic joint infections after total knee replacement. The trial aims to reduce the need for repeat surgeries and expand the treatment window beyond two weeks.
A randomized trial found that duloxetine does not prevent painful neuropathy caused by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with stage II or III colorectal cancer. The study suggests that duloxetine should only be used for managing existing neuropathy, not prevention.
The EMPEROR-Preserved risk model demonstrated good performance in the FINEARTS-HF trial, showing that baseline risk does not modify the relative treatment effect of finerenone. Finerenone has been shown to have a significant benefit for heart failure patients.
A new clinical trial will investigate whether adding the oral medication vorasidenib to standard chemotherapy improves progression-free survival for people with newly-diagnosed, grade 3 IDH-mutant astrocytoma. The study aims to recruit 400 individuals with this type of brain cancer and evaluate the safety and side-effect profile of the...
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is spotlighting new trials for colorectal cancer in March, focusing on early detection methods and treatments for treatment delays and loss of appetite. The trials aim to improve patient outcomes, with several enrolling patients with newly diagnosed colon or rectal cancer.
A national clinical trial found that oxybutynin significantly reduced hot flash frequency and quality of life for men undergoing hormone therapy for prostate cancer. The study showed substantial improvements in hot flash symptoms, often within the first week of treatment.
A new study by University of Toronto researchers found that growing awareness of ADHD may lead some young adults to mistakenly believe they have the disorder. However, a short educational session on the nocebo effect reduced the likelihood of mistaken diagnosis.
An open-label placebo treatment was associated with improved quality of life and reduced pain-related disability in patients with migraine. However, the treatment did not reduce headache frequency in this study.
A new Cochrane review finds RSV vaccines reduce the risk of infection in vulnerable groups, including older adults and infants. Vaccination also significantly reduces severe disease and hospitalization rates.
Researchers found that external cues alleviated pain for all participants but only half reported less pain with placebo treatment. Predictive cues were less impactful when patients received placebo treatment. The study suggests cue-based expectations have more consistent effects than treatment-based expectations.
A review of 64 over-the-counter products found that omega-3s, St John's Wort, probiotics, and vitamin D have substantial evidence for treating depression. Other promising products include folic acid, lavender, zinc, tryptophan, and lemon balm. However, more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and safety.
GLP1-RA treatment is associated with improvements in quality of life, restrained eating, and emotional eating behavior. The treatment also provides reassurance regarding its psychiatric safety profile.
The SUMMIT trial shows tirzepatide reduces the risk of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure in patients with obesity, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure, while improving kidney function. Researchers found significant improvements in both patient groups with and without chronic kidney disease.
Ferric carboxymaltose did not significantly reduce time to first heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular death in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency. The treatment also did not reduce total number of heart failure hospitalizations compared to placebo.
Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) experience reduced symptom intensity and interference in their lives when taking open-label placebos, especially when provided with a treatment explanation. The study found significant reductions in PMS symptoms and side effects, suggesting an acceptable and efficacious intervention.
A major clinical trial has identified ensitrelvir as an effective medication to prevent symptomatic COVID-19 in people exposed within households. The trial showed a 67% reduction in risk of illness among participants taking the antiviral compared to those given a placebo.
Researchers found that olpasiran significantly lowers lipoprotein(a) levels by over 95% and reduces oxidized phospholipids, which promote atherosclerosis. The study also showed no significant effects on inflammatory markers.
A new study led by UCL researchers has found that the GLP-1 drug exenatide has no positive impact on movement, symptoms, or brain imaging in people with Parkinson's disease. The trial involved 194 participants and ran for 96 weeks, with no benefits shown in any of these areas.
A new Cochrane review confirms that antidepressants reduce anxiety symptoms in GAD patients under trial conditions. However, there is limited data on long-term usage and its potential benefits and harms.
A new study from Aarhus University Hospital shows that fecal microbiota transplantation can be a safe and effective treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes and gastroenteropathy. The treatment has significantly improved quality of life and symptoms for participants, offering hope to those with debilitating symptoms.
Adding camrelizumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved pathological complete response in patients with early or locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer. The treatment showed substantial benefits, leading researchers to explore its potential as a neoadjuvant strategy.
Researchers found that short-term MHT did not cause long-term cognitive decline in women in early postmenopause. The KEEPS Continuation Study suggests that timing is crucial for the safety of MHT.
A large-scale clinical trial found that intravenous infusion of exenatide during heart surgeries involving bypass did not significantly reduce the risk of death, stroke, or organ failure. The study included approximately 1,400 adults and a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design.
Research found that spironolactone reduced the likelihood of heart failure after a heart attack, but did not significantly reduce deaths or other severe heart-related events. The study included over 7,000 adults in 14 countries who had experienced a severe heart attack.
A recent study published at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024 found that blood thinners did not reduce cognitive decline in adults younger than age 65 who have atrial fibrillation (AFib) but no other risk factors for stroke. The trial included over 1,200 participants and followed them for an average of 3.7 years...
A randomized clinical trial found that montelukast did not shorten the duration of COVID-19 symptoms among outpatients with mild to moderate illness. The study's findings suggest that montelukast is unlikely to be beneficial for treating mild to moderate COVID-19.
Researchers will examine cognitive and psychomotor functions to compare effects of CBD on driving performance between men and women. The five-year study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the substance's influence.
The CABINET trial demonstrates that cabozantinib significantly improves median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with advanced pancreatic and extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The treatment also shows promise across all clinical subgroups, including primary tumor site and grade.
A randomized controlled trial found erenumab injections significantly improved medication overuse headache remission rates and reduced acute migraine treatment days in patients with chronic migraine and medication overuse headaches. The study suggests that erenumab can be a simplified treatment option for MOH patients.
Treatment with prehospital pulse-dose glucocorticoid improved acute parameters, but did not reduce final infarct size after 3 months. The trial was likely underpowered due to smaller-than-anticipated final infarct sizes.
Elinzanetant, a selective neurokinin-1,3 receptor antagonist, demonstrated significant reductions in vasomotor symptoms frequency and severity vs placebo in postmenopausal individuals with moderate to severe VMS. The treatment also improved sleep disturbances and menopause-related quality of life, with a favorable safety profile.
A new ketamine tablet form has shown promise in treating severe depression with negligible side effects and convenience. The study found that patients on the strongest dose of ketamine had the best results compared to placebo.
Ivonescimab plus chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival (7.1 vs 4.8 months) compared to chemotherapy alone in TKI-treated non-small cell lung cancer patients. This treatment may offer a new option for patients with EGFR variant and limited treatment options.
A recent study found that treatment with intravenous acetaminophen for 5 days in critically ill sepsis patients was safe, but did not improve the primary end point of days alive and free of organ support. The study suggests acetaminophen may have a role in preventing or treating organ dysfunction in sepsis.
A phase 3 trial found that pamrevlumab did not significantly improve lung function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The study's results underscore the need for effective treatments to slow disease progression and improve patient outcomes.
A randomized clinical trial of 3,020 patients with high-risk nonmetastatic breast cancer found daily aspirin therapy had no effect on breast cancer recurrence or survival in early follow-up. Aspirin should not be recommended as an adjuvant breast cancer treatment despite its potential benefits and wide availability
A systematic review and meta-analysis found no association between new-onset seizures and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The study included over 118,000 participants from randomized clinical trials and found the incidence proportion of new-onset seizures to be similar across vaccine recipients and unvaccinated participants.
A new study found that inter-atrial shunts improve symptoms and outcomes in heart failure patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), but worsen outcomes in those with preserved LVEF. The device reduces high pressures in the left atrium, causing shortness of breath and hospitalizations.
A new analysis shows that tirzepatide effectively reduces body weight across different BMI subgroups, achieving significant weight loss of 5% or more in up to 100% of participants. The treatment also demonstrated superior weight reduction compared to placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that adding blood thinners to clot-busting medications for ischemic strokes did not improve physical function at 90 days post-stroke. The study, MOST, enrolled 514 patients and analyzed the effectiveness of two blood-thinning medications.
A new study found that propranolol, a medication for high blood pressure, can lower anxiety levels in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The study involved 69 patients and showed significantly reduced anxiety levels compared to a placebo group.
A clinical trial found that trazodone and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia were no more effective than placebo in improving insomnia symptoms among long-term dialysis patients. Serious adverse events also occurred more frequently with trazodone use. More trials are needed to investigate additional therapies for this condition.
A recent review of opioid medicines for cancer pain found surprisingly large gaps in evidence regarding their true benefits. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be at least as effective as some opioids for background cancer pain, offering potential alternatives to reduce dependence and waning analgesia over time.
A study by the University of Sydney and University of Warwick found large gaps in evidence regarding opioid medicines for cancer pain. Non-opioid medicines, including aspirin, may be as effective as opioids for background cancer pain.
A randomized clinical trial of 1,175 participants found that treatment with higher-dose fluvoxamine did not improve time to sustained recovery in outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19. The study compared fluvoxamine 100 mg twice daily for 13 days to placebo.
A single dose of zilebesiran safely and effectively lowered systolic blood pressure in people with mild-to-moderate high blood pressure for up to six months. The study found significant reductions in daytime and nighttime systolic blood pressure, as well as low rates of adverse events.
A new study suggests that a PCSK9 inhibitor given every 1-3 months may effectively lower bad cholesterol levels in people with non-genetic hypercholesterolemia. The medication, recaticimab, showed similar effectiveness and safety as other PCSK9 inhibitors when administered less frequently.
A year-long clinical trial found sustained remission of polymyalgia rheumatica in 28% of patients taking sarilumab, compared to 10% of those on placebo. The treatment showed promise in reducing relapse and improving outcomes for patients tapering their steroid medication.
A randomized clinical trial found that early metformin treatment did not improve insulin initiation or fasting glucose levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Further investigation into larger trials is warranted based on prespecified secondary outcome data.
A new drug called vorasidenib has been shown to significantly slow tumor growth and extend the average time until tumor growth in patients with grade 2 IDH-mutant gliomas. This breakthrough could offer a first early treatment option for these cancer patients, potentially improving their quality of life.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that reattribution of pain to mind or brain processes can lead to significant reductions in chronic back pain intensity. Participants who received pain reprocessing therapy reported being pain-free or nearly so after treatment, compared to those receiving placebo controls.
Researchers found that etripamil nasal spray restored normal heart rhythms within 30 minutes in 54% of patients, making it a potential new option for self-treating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. The study showed the medication to be safe and well-tolerated.
A recent clinical trial found that creatine supplementation significantly reduced post-COVID-19 fatigue and improved related symptoms such as loss of taste and breathing difficulties. Creatine levels in leg muscles and the brain also increased after 6 months of intake.
A dose-response meta-analysis of nine randomized trials found gefapixant to improve cough frequency, severity, and quality of life. However, it also led to increased taste-related adverse events compared to placebo.
In a randomized clinical trial, lorundrostat effectively lowered blood pressure in individuals with uncontrolled hypertension compared to placebo. The study included 200 participants and will require further confirmation.
A new study found that a simple blood test can predict the risk of progressive heart and kidney disease in people with Type 2 diabetes. The test measures levels of four biomarkers, which fell after treatment with canagliflozin, a type 2 diabetes medicine.
A randomized clinical trial found that low-dose atropine eye drops did not slow myopia progression or axial elongation in US school-age children. The results suggest that atropine, 0.01%, eye drops are not effective for controlling myopia in this population.
A low-cost version of ketamine has shown strong results in treating treatment-resistant depression, with over 20% participants achieving total remission and a third experiencing symptom improvement. The study's findings bring definitive evidence to the field, which can be more affordable than existing treatments.