Articles tagged with Placebos
A Phase IIa clinical trial found that dupilumab reduced asthma exacerbations by 87% and improved lung function, morning peak expiratory flow, and asthma symptoms. The study suggests dupilumab may be an effective treatment option for patients with persistent asthma.
Researchers found that escitalopram reduced mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia by 2.62 times, improving cardiovascular function and reducing platelet serotonin receptor transporters. The study suggests that SSRIs or similar treatments could play a role in managing coronary heart disease.
A study found that 6 weeks of escitalopram treatment reduced the occurrence of mental stress-induced cardiac ischemia (MSIMI) in patients with stable coronary heart disease. The treatment also improved psychological functioning and hemodynamic responses to stress.
Studies of newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients reveal that older, sicker men are unlikely to benefit from aggressive therapy. Researchers found that those aged 61-74 and over 75 with multiple health issues face high risks of mortality from non-prostate causes, suggesting a shift towards more conservative treatment approaches.
A world-first clinical study by an Australian team has found Kava significantly reduced symptoms of people suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorders. The study revealed Kava could be an alternative treatment to pharmaceutical products, with no significant adverse reactions or differences in liver function between the groups.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine review of 34 clinical trials found that oral drops are effective in alleviating symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma in children. The study suggests that oral drops can be a reasonable option for providing relief to millions of children who suffer from these conditions.
Researchers found that shock wave-facilitated cell therapy improved left ventricular ejection fraction and reduced major adverse cardiac events in patients with chronic postinfarction heart failure. The treatment used high-dose ultrasound to precondition the target heart tissue before administering bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells.
Researchers found that dexmedetomidine alleviated symptoms of opioid-induced hyperalgesia in patients receiving high doses of remifentanil. Patients treated with dexmedetomidine reported less pain and used less morphine compared to those receiving placebo.
A randomized phase 3 trial found that duloxetine reduced pain from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy compared to placebo. Patients who received platinums showed greater benefits from duloxetine.
A new vaccine candidate for post-operative staph infections failed to demonstrate efficacy in reducing serious infections and was associated with increased mortality among patients who developed the infection. The study found no significant difference in efficacy between the vaccine and placebo groups, and reported a higher rate of mul...
A randomized trial found that chelation therapy with disodium EDTA modestly reduced the risk of a composite of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, but did not support routine use for treatment of patients who have had a heart attack. The study included 1,708 patients and showed no effect on total mortality.
A study found that azithromycin improved symptoms and lung function in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, but at the cost of increased antibiotic resistance. The treatment also raised gastrointestinal side effects.
A randomized controlled trial found that erythromycin significantly reduced pulmonary exacerbations and improved symptoms in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis, but also increased macrolide resistance. The study suggests that low-dose erythromycin may be beneficial for treatment of respiratory disorder in certain patient populations.
A UK survey found that 97% of doctors have prescribed placebo treatments to patients at least once, with impure placebos being used more frequently. Doctors cited treating psychological effects and reassuring patients as reasons for prescribing placebos, while also acknowledging the need for patient trust.
Post-menopausal women who received estrogen-only medication reported significantly lower joint pain frequencies compared to those receiving a placebo. The study found modest but sustained relief from joint pain in these women.
A phase 3 trial found that eritoran did not significantly reduce all-cause 28-day mortality or 1-year mortality in patients with severe sepsis compared to placebo. The study, conducted in 197 intensive care units, showed no significant difference in treatment-emergent adverse events between eritoran and placebo groups.
Researchers have identified promising treatments for three common challenges faced by people with Parkinson's disease: blood pressure problems, the wearing-off effect, and uncontrolled symptoms. The new drugs show promise in reducing dizziness, falls, and improving motor function, offering a brighter future for those affected.
A single dose of an investigational anti-inflammatory drug, inclacumab, reduced damage to heart tissue during angioplasty in a study. The drug, which blocks p-selectin, had significant effects on cardiac markers, including troponin I and CK-MB, in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
Research presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session found no significant benefit from high-dose oral vitamins and minerals in reducing recurrent cardiac events. However, combining these supplements with active chelation therapy showed a slight additional benefit.
A 24-week trial found no significant improvement in exercise capacity or clinical status for patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction treated with sildenafil. Renal function worsened and adverse events increased in the sildenafil group, contradicting previous findings on PDE-5 inhibitors.
A study published in JAMA found that adding aliskiren to standard therapy did not improve long-term outcomes in patients hospitalized for heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The results showed no significant reduction in cardiovascular death or rehospitalization rates at 6 or 12 months after discharge.
A phase III trial shows mirabegron reduces incontinence episodes and daily urinations, improving urgency and nocturia in adults with overactive bladder. The study also confirms the drug's balanced efficacy and safety profile, making it a potential alternative for patients with inadequate antimuscarinic therapy.
A study published in JAMA found that corticosteroid injections did not provide significant long-term improvement for patients with 'tennis elbow', and neither option was effective compared to placebo. However, physiotherapy provided some short-term benefits despite no long-term effects.
A Phase 3 clinical trial shows that tofacitinib preserves joint structure in RA patients with moderate to severe disease, reducing progression of joint erosion and narrowing. The medication is effective in treating RA symptoms and reducing the rate of joint damage, providing new evidence for its treatment.
A two-year observational follow-up of the REDUCE trial found that dutasteride treatment was associated with a lower incidence of new prostate cancers. The study, published in The Journal of Urology, showed that men taking dutasteride had fewer prostate cancer diagnoses compared to those receiving a placebo.
A study of 146 patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis found that vitamin D supplementation did not significantly reduce knee pain or cartilage volume loss over a two-year period. The researchers also noted that serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D increased in both the treatment and placebo groups.
A new clinical trial shows that sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) can safely induce desensitization in people with peanut allergy, with significant increases in the amount of peanut powder they can consume. The treatment involves daily doses of liquid containing peanut powder, and was more effective than placebo.
A large European trial confirms that commonly prescribed antibiotics are ineffective for treating acute uncomplicated respiratory infections. Patients given amoxicillin did not recover much quicker or have significantly fewer symptoms, and the treatment appeared to have a limited effect even in older patients.
A study of over 1,200 participants found no significant improvement in cognitive and functional status for those treated with citicoline after traumatic brain injury, contradicting its widespread use as a neuroprotective agent.
Researchers found that about one-quarter of placebo response was explained by personality traits such as resiliency, straightforwardness, altruism or anger/hostility. The study involved nearly 50 healthy volunteers and used brain scans to measure natural painkiller chemicals in the brain.
A 12-week clinical study found that nabilone significantly reduces pain and improves sleep in patients with diabetic neuropathy, with few side effects. The medication, a synthetic cannabinoid, has been used to treat nausea in chemotherapy patients and is now being considered for treating neuropathy pain in diabetics.
A new study has identified a genetic marker for the placebo response in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients, which could influence patient care and clinical trial design. The findings suggest that individuals with a specific genotype have a higher response to placebos when treated by a warm, supportive healthcare provider.
A study by multiple institutions found that roflumilast increased lung function in moderate and severe COPD patients, with significant improvements in FEV1 after 6 months. Roflumilast was compared to placebo, showing consistent increases in lung function across treatment groups.
A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that VeriStrat can predict response to erlotinib, but does not provide a survival benefit. The test showed a significant difference in median survival between good and poor responders, with good responders experiencing longer survival on erlotinib.
A recent study published in JAMA found that vitamin D supplementation did not significantly reduce the incidence or severity of colds in healthy adults. The researchers studied 322 participants who received either a monthly dose of 100,000 IU of vitamin D3 or a placebo for 18 months.
A recent study published in JAMA found that administering dexamethasone to children before tonsillectomy did not significantly increase post-operative bleeding. The researchers tested the hypothesis that dexamethasone would result in a 5% higher rate of bleeding events compared to placebo, but the results showed no significant difference.
A new study found no significant association between corticosteroid use and increased bleeding events after tonsillectomy. The research suggests that the commonly used corticosteroid dexamethasone does not significantly increase the risk of serious bleeding in children undergoing the procedure.
A study by the American Heart Association found that drinking low-calorie cranberry juice for eight weeks significantly lowered blood pressure in healthy adults, from an average of 121/73 mmHg to 118/70 mmHg. The antioxidants in cranberry juice are believed to be responsible for this effect.
Researchers found thalidomide significantly reduced the cough and improved quality of life for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The constant cough caused by IPF can have wide-ranging effects on patients' lives, affecting daily activities and social gatherings.
Researchers identified a novel mechanism that explains the power of placebos and nocebos, demonstrating the unconscious mind plays a key role in pain experiences. Studies showed that patients can show clinical improvement even when receiving treatments devoid of active ingredients or known therapeutic efficacy.
A multicenter trial found that antibiotic treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanate significantly improved clinical cure rates and prolonged the median time to next exacerbation in patients with mild-to-moderate COPD. Patients with elevated capillary C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were more likely to be cured without antibiotics.
Vitamin D supplements did not improve cholesterol levels, according to a new study conducted at The Rockefeller University Hospital. Researchers found that correcting vitamin D deficiencies with high doses of oral vitamin D supplements had no effect on cholesterol levels in the short term.
A study published in The Lancet found that mepolizumab significantly reduced severe asthma exacerbations, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations. The treatment also showed promise in reducing the need for oral corticosteroids, a common trigger for these flare-ups.
A phase 2 trial shows vandetanib significantly improves progression-free survival and disease control rate for patients with advanced differentiated thyroid cancer, particularly those with papillary thyroid cancer. However, increased toxicities were observed.
A clinical trial found that iron supplementation reduced fatigue by almost 50% in nonanemic women with low ferritin levels. The study, involving 198 menstruating women, also showed positive effects on hemoglobin and blood levels after six weeks of treatment.
Research highlights the need for better representation of placebo effects in clinical trial participant information leaflets. The study found that placebos were often described negatively and ignored potential benefits.
A new study finds that an experimental weight-loss drug, phentermine/topiramate, significantly aids overweight patients with type 2 diabetes in shedding pounds. Patients who took the medication combined with diet and exercise modifications were more likely to lose moderate amounts of weight than those on a placebo.
A new systematic review found no benefit from omega-3 supplements on cognitive health in older adults, but suggests longer-term effects are worth investigating. The researchers recommend eating fish as part of a healthy diet to support brain health.
Researchers found that individuals taking statin cholesterol-lowering drugs are more likely to experience decreased energy and fatigue upon exertion. The study, which included over 1,000 adults, suggests that these side effects should be taken into account when prescribing statins.
Patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with Ustekinumab 90mg achieved a 24.9% improvement in ACR50, compared to 8.7% in the placebo group. The study also showed significant improvements in DAS28-CRP responses and clinical meaningful changes in HAQ-DI.
Baricitinib demonstrates dose-dependent efficacy in active rheumatoid arthritis, with 76% of patients achieving ACR20 response compared to 41% on placebo. Patients also showed significant improvements in disease activity and functional outcomes.
A Phase III study found that certolizumab pegol significantly improved symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, with increased responses at both the ACR20 and PASI 75 benchmarks. The treatment also showed similar safety profiles to those observed in rheumatoid arthritis.
A recent article in the Hastings Center Report raises questions about the AMA's policy on prescribing placebos, arguing that it may not be the best way to protect or benefit patients. The article suggests that some bioethicists argue that an undisclosed placebo is sometimes the best available treatment for certain patients.
A new study published in The Lancet found that intravenous magnesium sulphate does not reduce poor outcomes after haemorrhagic stroke. No difference was observed between patients receiving magnesium and those receiving placebo.
A randomized controlled trial found that azithromycin improved lung function in patients with BOS following lung transplantation. The study showed a significant improvement in FEV1 measurements, with a mean gain of 37ml in the Azithromycin group and a mean fall of 181ml in the placebo group.
Seven late-breaking clinical trials presented at ATS 2012 examined treatments for ventilator-associated pneumonia, cardiac surgery associated kidney injury, septic shock, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, smoking cessation, malignant pleural effusion, and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Results showed that shorter courses of doripenem...
A study found that children with mild persistent asthma benefit from ICS treatment, but some groups benefit more than others. Younger children, non-Hispanic kids, those with eczema and high IgE levels experience greater benefits from ICS treatment.
A new study has found that vitamin C supplementation in pregnant women who are unable to quit smoking significantly improves pulmonary function in their newborns. Daily use of vitamin C (500 mg/day) improved peak tidal expiratory flow and respiratory compliance, returning them nearly to the levels seen in non-smokers.
A randomized trial of 829 patients with Bell palsy found that prednisolone treatment significantly reduced mild and moderate sequelae at 12 months. The study also showed that valacyclovir alone did not affect the severity of sequelae, while the combination of prednisolone plus valacyclovir did not offer additional benefits.
Early treatment with interferon beta-1a significantly reduced the likelihood of progression to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) in a three-year clinical trial. Those who received the drug soon after their first signs of possible MS were less likely to be diagnosed with MS than those who switched from placebo.