Articles tagged with Placebos
A new meta-analysis of COVID-19 vaccine trials found that the placebo effect accounts for more than two-thirds of adverse events, with headache and fatigue being the most common. The study suggests that informing patients about potential side effects could help reduce vaccination hesitancy.
A new study found that a specific type of carbohydrate called ‘fodmaps’ can aggravate intestinal problems, but its impact is not as significant as previously believed. IBS symptoms were found to be influenced more by psychological factors and individual differences in metabolism and intestinal flora.
A new NRG Oncology clinical trial found that bupropion did not improve sexual desire in female cancer survivors. The trial evaluated the effects of extended-release bupropion on postmenopausal women with low baseline sexual desire scores.
The study found that the Moderna vaccine offered a lower risk of documented infection (21% reduced), symptomatic COVID-19 (44% reduced), hospitalization (55% reduced), ICU admission (10% reduced), and death (2% reduced) compared to the Pfizer vaccine. The results suggest that either vaccine is effective, but Moderna may be slightly mor...
A new study has shown that a commonly prescribed antidepressant for agitation in people with dementia is no more effective than a placebo and may even increase mortality. The research found no improvement in agitation symptoms among those taking mirtazapine, a drug previously thought to be beneficial.
A new trial has found that vaginal laser therapy treatments claim to reduce negative vaginal symptoms of menopause – experienced by about half of all women – by up to 100 per cent. However, the study shows they might not work at all, with no difference found between the laser treatment and a placebo.
A large trial found that antibiotic amoxicillin has little effect on relieving symptoms in children with uncomplicated chest infections. The study also highlights the need for 'safety-netting' advice to parents, explaining illness course and when re-attendance may be necessary.
The FDA has approved Octagam 10% for treating adult dermatomyositis, a rare immune-mediated inflammatory disease. The approval is based on positive results of the ProDERM study, which showed significant improvement in patient response to treatment.
A UCSF study found that azithromycin was not effective in preventing symptoms of COVID-19 among non-hospitalized patients, and may actually increase their chance of hospitalization. The study's results challenge the widespread use of azithromycin as a treatment for outpatient SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The DAPA-CKD trial found that dapagliflozin significantly reduced kidney function decline, cardiovascular events, and mortality rates in patients with stage 4 chronic kidney disease. The study also showed similar safety profiles for dapagliflozin and placebo in this patient population.
The CoronaVac vaccine demonstrated 83.5% protection against symptomatic COVID-19 and 100% effectiveness against hospitalization in a phase 3 trial. The study involved adults aged 18-59 and showed high efficacy with a very good safety profile, but further data is needed on the vaccine's long-term effects and efficacy against new variants.
Researchers found that metabolic activators reduced recovery time for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients by 3.5 days. The treatment also improved liver health and decreased inflammatory markers. This study builds on phase two clinical data and demonstrates the potential benefits of metabolic activator therapy in COVID-19 patients.
Researchers have identified the alternative complement pathway as a key driver of IgA nephropathy, a chronic kidney disease. Iptacopan, an oral inhibitor of Factor B, has been shown to significantly reduce proteinuria and stabilize renal function in patients with IgAN, offering a new therapeutic approach.
The ACCOLADE study found that avacopan slowed C3 glomerulopathy progression by 20.6% in the placebo group but improved by 0.2% in the avacopan group, with patients with low eGFR benefiting from therapy. Avacopan also reduced proteinuria and increased eGFR in both groups.
A phase 3 clinical trial of adjuvant immunotherapy found that pembrolizumab prolonged disease-free survival rates in patients with kidney cancer at high risk of relapse. The estimated disease-free survival was 77.3% with pembrolizumab and 68.1% with placebo, translating to a 32% decrease in the risk of recurrence or death.
The COLCORONA study suggests that colchicine, an anti-inflammatory drug, could be used to prevent COVID-19-related complications in non-hospitalized patients with at least one risk factor for disease progression. The study's primary endpoint was the composite of death or hospitalization in patients with COVID-19.
The NAVIGATOR study showed that tezepelumab significantly reduced annualized asthma exacerbation rates across all eosinophil level subgroups, including a 70% reduction in EOS ?300. The therapy also prolonged the time to first exacerbation requiring hospitalization or ED visit.
The VOYAGE study found that dupilumab reduced asthma exacerbations by 59.3% in children with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma. The treatment also improved lung function within two weeks, an effect sustained for up to 52 weeks.
Patients taking daily omega-3 carboxylic acid had similar rates of major cardiovascular events as those taking corn oil placebo, according to a post-hoc analysis of the STRENGTH trial. Higher levels of achieved EPA and DHA did not affect outcomes.
A phase III trial found dapagliflozin did not significantly reduce organ failure or death, but showed favorable safety data and lower numbers of serious adverse events. The study suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors may offer organ protection in acutely ill patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
A new study found that semaglutide, an obesity drug, supresses appetite and food cravings, reducing energy intake in individuals with obesity. The study showed a 35% lower energy intake during a meal where participants could eat as much as they liked.
A phase 1 study found that combining cagrilintide, a long-acting amylin analogue, with semaglutide led to greater weight loss compared to semaglutide alone. The combination was well-tolerated and showed an acceptable safety profile.
A phase two study found that an experimental treatment improved cognitive function and language in patients with fragile X syndrome. The treatment, BPN14770, increased levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the brain, which is critically involved in memory formation.
Researchers found that high-dose omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation suppressed damage and boosted protection during and after stressful events. This led to sustained anti-inflammatory activity and preserved telomere length in healthy but sedentary, overweight, and middle-aged individuals.
Researchers from NIH propose a new method to estimate vaccine efficacy by following original placebo recipients after vaccination, allowing assessment of durability and potential delayed harm. This approach enables timely access to the vaccine for placebo recipients while maintaining unbiased estimates.
A new study found that participants with moderate to severe IBS who received an open-label placebo reported clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms, similar to those receiving a double-blind placebo. The study suggests the placebo effect can be harnessed without deception.
A combination of metoclopramide and diphenhydramine has been shown to reduce headache pain by more than five points in people who experienced a head trauma. However, the study's results may not be generalizable due to the participants' limited socioeconomic access.
A study analysis found that daily vosoritide treatment for two years improves height gain and body proportionality in children with achondroplasia. This is the first robust evidence of a precision therapy for this condition, which typically affects short stature and bone growth.
A study analysis suggests bremelanotide has very limited effectiveness as a treatment for HSDD in women. Trial participants preferred taking a placebo over the drug, with higher dropout rates and adverse event-induced discontinuation. The findings also highlight issues with the validity of HSDD as a diagnosis.
The DESIRE study found that efficacy was the strongest determinant of participants' stated modality choice, followed by delivery method and side effects. Participants preferred a douche used 30 minutes before sex with 95% efficacy, offering three to five days of protection.
A meta-analysis of 20 neuroimaging studies finds that placebo treatments reduce pain-related activity in multiple brain areas, including the thalamus and somatosensory cortex. The study, led by Tor Wager, demonstrates that the brain constructs pain experiences through a mix of processing stations and motivational circuits.
Researchers found that adding colchicine to standard treatment reduces the need for oxygen therapy and length of hospital stay in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 infection. The study also shows that colchicine is safe and well-tolerated with few side effects.
A two-dose regimen of the adenovirus-based vaccine offers high efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19, with no serious adverse events reported. The vaccine is well-tolerated across different age groups, including older adults.
Two ADAURA analyses presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's 2020 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) Singapore support the use of Osimertinib as a new treatment strategy for patients with surgically resected, Stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer. The data show significant disease-free surviva...
Researchers found that combining ipilimumab with pembrolizumab did not significantly improve overall survival or progression-free survival for patients with NSCLC. The combination was also associated with greater treatment-related adverse events.
A new topical treatment, benvitimod cream, has been proven safe and effective for mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. In a phase III clinical trial, the cream achieved a 75% decrease in psoriasis size and severity compared to pre-treatment levels.
A new study confirms that treatment with Bimagrumab is safe and effective for treating excess adiposity and metabolic disturbances in adult patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The medication achieved a nearly 21% decrease in body fat and a 6.5% reduction in body weight, along with a gain of lean mass.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has demonstrated a 94.1 percent efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections and severe illness, according to the results of the ongoing phase 3 clinical trial. The study enrolled over 30,000 participants and found that cases of severe COVID-19 occurred only in those who received the placebo.
The ACTIV-3 trial, sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), tested LY-CoV555 against placebo in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The trial found that LY-CoV555 did not provide clinical benefit compared to placebo.
New research from the University of Cambridge found that patients treated with dexamethasone had a lower chance of favourable recovery at six months compared to those receiving a placebo. The trial enrolled 748 patients with chronic subdural haematoma and showed that fewer patients in the dexamethasone group required repeat surgery.
A new study published in Neurology found that siponimod improved cognitive processing speed in people with advanced secondary progressive MS. The medication showed a 28% higher chance of sustained improvement compared to placebo, and reduced the risk of decline by 21%.
A daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids failed to reduce cardiac events, including secondary heart attacks and strokes, among elderly people who survived a recent heart attack. The OMEMI Trial found no significant difference in the rate of cardiac events between the two groups after 2 years of follow-up.
Researchers found that 90% of symptoms reported by statin users were also experienced when taking a placebo. This suggests a psychological rather than pharmacological effect of statins. Despite concerns about side effects, half of participants restarted taking a statin medication six months after the trial.
The FOURIER analysis showed that Repatha reduced the risk of major coronary events by 18% in patients with prior PCI, who were at a high risk for CV events. This analysis demonstrates the benefit of PCSK9 inhibition with evolocumab in reducing major coronary events.
A clinical trial found that inhaled delivery of interferon beta-1a to hospitalised COVID-19 patients in the UK reduced severe disease and death rates. Those receiving SNG001 were more than twice as likely to recover from infection compared to placebo recipients.
A new clinical study demonstrates that a non-living strain of Prevotella histicola can treat systemic inflammation in mild to moderate psoriasis through oral delivery. The treatment showed significant reductions in Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and Lesion Severity Scores (LSS), with minimal side effects.
A randomized clinical trial published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that taking hydroxychloroquine did not prevent COVID-19 in health care workers. The study, which enrolled 1,483 participants, also showed increased side effects with higher doses of the medication.
A randomized clinical trial by University of Minnesota researchers found that taking hydroxychloroquine once or twice weekly did not prevent COVID-19 development in healthcare workers. The study showed a significant side effect increase with hydroxychloroquine use.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that methamphetamine use increases the risk of casual sex without a condom, particularly among those with higher sexual desire. The study demonstrated that intense sexual arousal leads to rapid shift in preference for using a condom.
A new study found that gabapentin, a commonly used drug for chronic pelvic pain, is no more effective than a placebo in treating the condition. Researchers recommend exploring alternative therapies such as physiotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy instead.
The EXPLORER-HCM trial demonstrated that mavacamten significantly improves exercise capacity, symptoms, and quality of life in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The treatment was found to be generally well-tolerated, with a favorable safety profile.
The LoDoCo2 trial found that low-dose colchicine significantly reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events by almost one-third in patients with chronic coronary disease. The study also showed that colchicine was well-tolerated over the long-term, with no significant adverse effects.
The EMPEROR-Reduced trial found that empagliflozin significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, as well as adverse renal outcomes. By extending benefits to higher-risk patients, this trial supports the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in heart failure treatment.
The DAPA-CKD trial found that dapagliflozin reduced the risk of worsening kidney function, death from kidney disease, or hospitalization for heart failure and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease. The study also showed a significant reduction in all-cause mortality.
A 12-week study by Oregon State University researchers found that taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement with zinc and high amounts of vitamin C reduced the severity and duration of illness symptoms in older adults. The supplement improved vitamin C and zinc levels in the blood, which are important for immune function.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that nondeceptive placebos can reduce self-reported emotional distress and brain activity related to emotional events. The study showed a significant reduction in brain markers of emotional distress within just a couple of seconds, suggesting genuine psychobiological effects.
A phase 2a trial of 82 people investigated whether cannabidiol (CBD) is safe and can help people with cannabis use disorder reduce cannabis use. The study found that daily prescribed medical-use CBD use can cause reduction in cannabis use among people with cannabis use disorder.
A single dose of baloxavir marboxil significantly reduced flu infections among household contacts, with only 1.9% developing the illness compared to 13.6% on placebo. The study supports the use of baloxavir for preventing influenza in high-risk settings like nursing homes and healthcare facilities.
AJOVY (fremanezumab) demonstrates clinically significant reductions in headache and migraine-related disability in the majority of patients studied. The treatment achieves downward shifts in disability severity and improves HIT-6 and MIDAS scores, particularly for patients with difficult-to-treat migraine.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that teplizumab significantly delayed the onset of type 1 diabetes by three years compared to a placebo. The trial involved individuals at high risk of developing T1D, and those treated with teplizumab showed higher rates of insulin secretion and C-peptide levels.