Articles tagged with Placebos
A randomized controlled trial found that ginseng reduced the frequency and severity of colds in study subjects. Ginseng was also effective in lessening symptom severity and duration. In contrast, Echinacea angustifolia was not found to be a preventive herbal product for the common cold.
Children with ADHD treated with the MTS patch showed statistically significant improvements in behavior and math performance. The phase II and III studies demonstrated a 56% reduction in ADHD symptoms, paving the way for potential approval by the FDA.
A meta-analysis of 15 trials found that atypical antipsychotics increased the risk of death in dementia patients by 1.54 times compared to placebo. The study suggests that clinicians should use antipsychotics cautiously and consider alternative treatments.
A new trial demonstrates the effectiveness of infliximab against psoriasis, with 80% of patients experiencing at least a 75% improvement in skin symptoms. The drug also showed promise in treating nail psoriasis, with significant reductions in severity and complete clearing of skin psoriasis in some cases.
The PROactive study found that Takeda's ACTOS (pioglitazone HCl) significantly reduced the combined risk of non-fatal heart attacks, strokes, and deaths by 16% in high-risk patients with type-2 diabetes. This led to a 10% reduction in the primary combination endpoint of seven different macrovascular events.
A phase III study found that GARDASIL vaccine prevented 100% of high-grade cervical pre-cancers and non-invasive cancer cases in women infected with HPV types 16 and 18. The vaccine reduced the risk of developing these cancers by 97%, significantly reducing cervical cancer-related deaths worldwide.
The Phase II study showed that FTY720 reduced annualized relapse rates by at least 50% during the first six months and maintained this rate for an additional six-month extension. Patients who switched to FTY720 after six months experienced a reduction of at least 70% in their annualized relapse rate compared to placebo.
The updated data show that 51% of patients originally assigned to the Betaseron 250 mcg group can walk with or without assistance, compared to 45% in the placebo group. Additionally, 95% of patients in the Betaseron 250 mcg group are still alive after 16 years, compared to 83% in the placebo group.
Results from two Phase II studies support the efficacy profile of sitagliptin, a novel DPP-IV inhibitor, improving glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Treatment with sitagliptin resulted in no significant weight gain and a low risk of hypoglycaemia.
Researchers found that women taking letrozole experienced a significantly better overall disease-free survival rate and distant disease-free survival rate compared to those on placebo. This study confirms the protective effect of extended adjuvant letrozole therapy for postmenopausal breast cancer patients.
Research finds that long residency hours impair medical residents' performance, increasing the risk of accidents and errors. Heavy call rotations show comparable impairment to heavy drinking, highlighting the need for safer work schedules and countermeasures.
The ESSENTIAL trial found that low-dose oral enoximone therapy improved exercise capacity and reduced hospitalization rates in patients with advanced heart failure. However, the study also showed no significant difference in mortality rates between the enoximone and placebo groups.
A multi-center clinical trial found that an oral contraceptive containing drospirenone was effective in improving productivity, enjoyment of hobbies, and social activities among women with PMDD. The study showed that the low-dose oral contraceptive was roughly as effective as serotonin reuptake inhibitors in reducing symptoms.
A new study provides direct evidence that the brain's own pain-fighting chemicals play a role in the placebo effect, reducing feelings of pain. Participants who received a sham pain treatment reported increased activity in their mu opioid endorphin system after being told they were receiving a medicine.
A 24-week clinical trial found that testosterone patches significantly improved sexual desire and frequency of satisfying sexual activity in surgically menopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. The middle dosage group showed a 67% increase in questionnaire scores for sexual desire compared to the placebo group.
A study of 8,405 women found that moderate or severe vasomotor symptoms were reported by 21.2% of former hormone therapy users, compared to 4.8% of placebo group respondents. Lifestyle and medical strategies may help manage symptoms after discontinuing hormone therapy.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that daclizumab can reduce organ rejection in heart transplant patients by 25%. The treatment also showed a lower rate of bacterial infections compared to placebo. Researchers believe this incremental step will help improve outcomes for heart transplant patients.
A review of clinical research on vitamin C and the common cold found no benefit from supplementation for prevention or treatment. However, vitamin C may have a minor effect on reducing cold duration when taken before symptoms start. Vitamin C was also effective in preventing colds in athletes exposed to extreme physical stress.
A randomized trial found that antibiotic treatment does not significantly improve cure rates in children with conjunctivitis. The researchers suggest parents treat children themselves without medical consultation unless symptoms persist or worsen.
Researchers found that placebo treatment reduced subjects' ratings of unpleasant pictures and activity in emotional centers. The study generalizes the concept of placebo effect and its underlying neural mechanisms for both pain perception and emotional stimuli.
A 54-week randomized study found that orlistat, a gastrointestinal tract lipase inhibitor, significantly improved weight management in obese adolescents. The medication was well-tolerated and showed a sustained effect on reducing BMI, waist circumference, and lipid levels.
A stronger version of the chickenpox vaccine has been shown to prevent shingles in older adults, reducing incidence by 51% and total burden of pain by 61%. The vaccine also significantly reduces postherpetic neuralgia, a debilitating form of chronic nerve pain.
Benicar-based treatment algorithms significantly reduced mean systolic blood pressure in Stage 2 hypertensive populations. In Stage 1 patients, 89% reached the aggressive blood pressure goal of less than 130/85 mmHg.
A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial found that ondansetron did not have a fatigue-reduction benefit greater than the considerable placebo effect. The study suggests that other drugs targeting the central nervous system may prove effective in combating fatigue associated with primary biliary cirrhosis.
A new study has found that cyclophosphamide significantly improves lung function and reduces breathlessness in patients with scleroderma lung disease. The treatment also reported increased energy levels and functional ability compared to the placebo group.
A study of over 1,500 participants found that rimonabant treatment led to significant weight loss and improvements in cardiovascular risk factors. Patients who received the drug experienced a sustained pattern of weight loss and reductions in waist circumference, cholesterol levels, and prevalence of metabolic syndrome.
A Mayo Clinic study showed that donepezil treatment may slow the progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease. Patients with a specific genotype had a longer response to the treatment, which could lead to new horizons in early treatment and prevention.
A recent study has found that patients who received incorrect doses of fibrinolytic agents were more likely to have underlying health conditions, such as lower systolic blood pressure and body weight. These findings suggest that adverse outcomes from blood clot therapy may be due to patient characteristics rather than dosing errors.
A pivotal study found that CyIS significantly reduces chronic rejection and prolongs survival in lung-transplant recipients, offering hope for a breakthrough therapy to address this unmet need. The study demonstrated an 84% four-year survival rate with CyIS compared to 56% with placebo.
A new long-acting injectable naltrexone formulation has been shown to reduce heavy drinking by 25% and is well-tolerated, indicating a potential improvement in intervention strategies for alcohol dependence. The study featured one of the largest samples ever treated with a medication for alcohol dependence.
Researchers found changes in prefrontal brain function during a placebo lead-in predicted adverse effects in subjects who received an antidepressant. This study's unique design uses quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) imaging technique cordance to identify individuals at risk of side effects.
A review of 29 studies found that 19.6% of chronic fatigue syndrome patients improved with inactive treatments, lower than expected figures for other conditions. Behavioral therapy and graded exercise therapy show benefits, but high patient expectations and a perceived physical origin may hinder treatment outcomes.
A study published in The Lancet found that rasagiline significantly reduces disability and motor fluctuations in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, improving their motor function. Rasagiline was well-tolerated and convenient to administer, making it a promising treatment option for Parkinson's patients.
A study found that Seroquel significantly reduced symptoms of agitation in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease, improving their quality of life. The treatment was well-tolerated, with no decline in cognitive function observed.
Researchers found that patients given folic acid and vitamin B12 had a 38% decrease in plasma homocysteine levels, while the placebo group experienced a 31% increase. This combination therapy prevented hip fractures in stroke patients despite frequent falls, attributed to osteoporosis.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treatment with recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) significantly reduces bleeding in brain, decreases mortality by nearly 40%, and reduces long-term disability for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The study showed a significant improvement in cli...
A study found celecoxib safe for short-term use in patients with cirrhosis, whereas naproxen harms renal function. Celecoxib did not affect kidney function, while naproxen reduced glomerular filtration rate and increased serum creatinine levels.
A study published in the American Thoracic Society Journal found that montelukast significantly reduced asthma exacerbations and corticosteroid use in young children with intermittent symptoms. The medication delayed the time between exacerbations by approximately 2 months.
Researchers found Celebrex significantly reduced adhesions after surgery, with 55% of mice completely adhesion-free. The study suggests COX-2 inhibitors could prevent adhesions in adult surgical patients, offering a new treatment option.
A study found that patients with moderate or severe hand dermatitis responded significantly to oral alitretinoin treatment, with up to 53% of patients achieving clear skin. The highest dose of alitretinoin showed the most substantial response rates, making it a potential treatment option for these patients.
A study shows Requip significantly improves symptoms of primary RLS, including improvements in sleep and quality of life. Patients treated with Requip experienced greater improvements compared to those taking placebo.
A six-year review of DETROL LA data found significant symptom reduction for overactive bladder patients, including improved quality of life measures. The medication was associated with a low frequency of side effects, particularly dry mouth.
A 12-center study found that an immune-modulating therapy, IVIG, reduces high antibody levels and improves transplantation rates in highly sensitized patients. The study showed a significant benefit of IVIG over placebo, with transplant rates more than double for the treatment group.
A multicenter study found that early steroid withdrawal after liver transplantation increased acute rejection rates, but may decrease the risk of long-term cardiovascular disease and mortality. The study suggested that earlier withdrawal could lead to improved glucose tolerance and reduced metabolic complications.
The study found that raloxifene reduced invasive breast cancer incidence by 59% and ER-positive invasive breast cancer by 66%, leading to a 66% and 76% reduction in these cancers after 8 years. No effect on ER-negative or non-invasive cancers was observed.
A comprehensive study of 13,017 French adults found no significant reduction in cancer incidence with antioxidant supplements, but men showed a 31% lower risk of developing cancer than women. The researchers suggest that supplementation may be effective in men due to their lower baseline levels of certain antioxidants.
A six-week study found that patients taking ADDERALL XR showed significant improvements in driving performance and cognitive functioning compared to placebo. The medication reduced ADHD symptoms by 30% in 80% of patients, leading to better driving skills and safety.
The study found that amlodipine reduced the risk of cardiovascular events by 31% compared to placebo, while enalapril showed no significant reduction. A subset of patients also showed slowing of progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis with amlodipine.
A new study shows that a cholesterol-lowering medication can improve symptoms of depression and cognition in people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. The treatment, atorvastatin, reduced bad cholesterol by more than 50% and showed significant improvement in depression symptoms.
Researchers found that DHEA supplementation reduced visceral fat by 10.2% in women and 7.4% in men, improving insulin action and glucose levels. DHEA therapy also decreased subcutaneous abdominal fat by an average of 6%.
A study found that combining antidepressant medication nortriptyline with a nicotine patch significantly increased smoking cessation rates at six months. The treatment showed a 23% success rate, compared to 10% for those receiving a placebo. However, participants taking nortriptyline experienced more side effects.
A prospective study found that combining DETROL LA with standard treatment for enlarged prostate results in improved symptoms of overactive bladder, with 73% of patients experiencing relief. The most common side effects were dry mouth and dizziness.
A new trial shows promising results for Cilansetron in treating IBS with diarrhea, improving quality of life and relieving symptoms. The medication has been shown to be well-tolerated and efficacious in both men and women.
Researchers found that beta interferon significantly reduced brain tissue loss and slowed MS progression, with around a third of patients showing improved outcomes. The study's results suggest that beta interferon may be an effective treatment for delaying the progression of multiple sclerosis.
A recent study found that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment significantly lowers the incidence of MS symptom relapses and reduces disease activity. Patients treated with IVIg had a lower probability of developing clinically definite multiple sclerosis and fewer brain lesions compared to those receiving placebo.
Researchers studied 31 healthy men with medication-induced hypogonadism, finding that acute testosterone suppression led to low blood levels of testosterone. Most participants showed no significant differences in symptoms between leuprolide plus placebo and leuprolide plus testosterone groups.
A study comparing antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy found that both were effective in treating social phobia, with 54.2% of patients experiencing improvement. However, combining treatment did not yield additional benefits.
A Phase 2 trial showed AMG 162 increased bone mineral density at the hip, spine, and total body by 4-7% compared to FOSAMAX®. The therapy was well-tolerated with a common adverse event of dyspepsia.
A new study found Seroquel to be effective in rapidly relieving core symptoms of depression, such as sadness and suicidal thoughts, in patients with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. The treatment was also well-tolerated, with a low risk of mania compared to other treatments.
A year-long clinical trial found that prasterone improved disease activity, reduced organ damage, and boosted health-related quality of life for women with active lupus. The treatment, which is safe and effective, could offer an alternative to immunosuppressive agents or large doses of glucocorticoids.