Articles tagged with Placebos
A study found that steroid treatment for IgA nephropathy was associated with a significantly higher risk of serious adverse events, primarily infections. The trial was stopped early due to an unexpectedly high rate of serious infections and two deaths.
A study found that extended-release guanfacine only showed a small reduction in tic severity among children with chronic tic disorders, with no significant difference between the drug and placebo. The medication was associated with common side effects such as fatigue, dry mouth, and headache.
A new supplement combining whey protein, creatine, vitamin D, calcium, and fish oil has been found to greatly improve physical strength in senior citizens. The study, published in PLOS ONE, showed significant gains in lean body mass and overall strength, especially when combined with exercise.
Researchers from the University of Surrey investigated the nutritional value of vitamin D2 and D3, finding that D3 is twice as effective in raising levels in the body. Vitamin D3 was found to be more effective than D2 in increasing levels by 75% compared to those given D2.
A study of nearly 4,000 women at high risk of developing breast cancer found that those who took tamoxifen were more likely to stop treatment due to symptoms like nausea or vomiting, hot flushes, and gynaecological issues. Researchers suggest better communication with patients could improve adherence to medication.
Researchers found two common, inexpensive antimicrobials can help patients recover from MRSA abscesses, contradicting current thinking on treatment effectiveness. The study involved 796 children and adults with small, uncomplicated skin abscesses.
Two new drug classes, tofacitinib and guselkumab, have shown significant improvements in treating psoriatic arthritis. Tofacitinib demonstrated superiority over placebo in ACR20 response rates and HAQ-DI score at 3 months, while guselkumab improved joint symptoms, physical function, and quality of life in patients with active PsA.
A clinical trial found that HIRREM closed-loop neurotechnology significantly reduced insomnia symptoms, with improvements in heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity compared to a placebo intervention. The study showed that HIRREM is more effective than placebo at reducing insomnia symptoms.
A phase III clinical trial suggests that adding pertuzumab to standard trastuzumab treatment after surgery may help reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer by 19% in patients with HER2-positive disease. The benefit is most pronounced in women with node-positive and hormone receptor-negative breast cancer.
Adding abiraterone acetate to standard hormonal therapy reduces the chance of death by 38% and doubles the median time until cancer worsens. Cancer growth is delayed by 18 months, but severe side effects like high blood pressure and liver enzyme abnormalities are more common with abiraterone.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found that low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) reduce stress, while slightly higher doses cause increased anxiety. The study used a dose-dependent approach to investigate the effects of THC on stress in healthy volunteers.
A new biologic drug, ixekizumab, has shown significant symptom reduction in patients with refractory psoriatic arthritis, including joint tenderness and swelling. The study's results suggest that the drug may offer a more effective treatment option for patients who have not responded to standard pharmaceutical treatments.
In a large-scale randomized clinical trial, cannabidiol reduced seizure frequency by 39% in patients with Dravet syndrome. The study included 120 children and adolescents aged 2-18 years, who received either CBD or placebo over a 14-week period.
A new investigational biologic, benralizumab, has shown promise in reducing the need for adults with severe asthma to take oral corticosteroids. The study found that patients enrolled in either of the benralizumab arms had a significant reduction in prednisone use and annual exacerbation rates compared to those receiving a placebo.
A Phase 3 clinical trial found that adding mepolizumab to standard treatment for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) significantly improved remission rates, with 28% of participants achieving remission after one year. The disease was in remission at weeks 36 and 48 in 32% of participants who received mepolizumab.
Researchers found that mepolizumab increased remission rates by 28% and cut exacerbations in half compared to placebo. The medication also reduced the need for corticosteroid therapy, with 12 patients able to discontinue steroid treatment completely.
Positive data from Phase 1 trials of Nexvax2 in celiac disease demonstrate safety, tolerability, and bioactivity. The vaccine reduces gluten-specific T cells' responsiveness to antigenic stimulation without apparent duodenal injury.
A study published in JAMA found that using a combination of docetaxel and selumetinib did not improve progression-free or overall survival for patients with KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment had more frequent grade 3 or higher adverse events compared to the placebo group.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that prednisone did not provide additional relief for emergency patients with hives. Antihistamine levocetirizine alone achieved full itching relief within 2 days for 76% of patients.
A study found that testosterone administration impairs cognitive reflection in men, making them more likely to rely on their gut instincts. The researchers tested the hypothesis that higher levels of testosterone increase the tendency to make intuitive judgments and reduce self-reflection.
A global trial of 20,000 women in 21 countries found that tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding after childbirth by a third if given within 3 hours. The drug is inexpensive and widely available, making it a promising solution for preventing maternal deaths in low-income countries.
A recent CU Boulder study found that the placebo effect can significantly reduce emotional pain and brain activity associated with social rejection. The study used fMRI to track brain responses in volunteers who had recently experienced a breakup, finding that placebos reduced physical pain and emotional distress.
A multicentre, randomised, controlled study found that long-term oral antibiotic therapy with norfloxacin improved prognosis in patients with life-threatening advanced liver disease. Norfloxacin administration for 6 months was associated with reduced risk of death and infection at 6 months.
A new study found that the old drug apomorphine can significantly reduce 'off' times in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, improving their quality of life. The treatment was effective even after just one week and was well-tolerated.
A recent study published in JAMA found that a single capsule of corticosteroid dexamethasone did not increase the likelihood of complete symptom resolution after 24 hours in patients with sore throats. However, at 48 hours, more participants receiving dexamethasone reported feeling completely better.
A study published in JAMA found that early low-dose hydrocortisone treatment in very preterm infants did not result in adverse effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age. The researchers analyzed data from the PREMILOC trial and found no significant differences in patients with or without neurodevelopmental impairment.
A study of healthy postmenopausal women found that vitamin D3 and calcium supplementation had no significant effect on the risk of all-type cancer. The four-year trial did show a slight increase in cancer incidence, but the difference was not statistically significant.
A new study from The George Institute found that pregabalin treatment did not relieve pain but caused side effects like dizziness. Despite this, many patients reported being satisfied with the treatment, highlighting the need for alternative management options for sciatica.
A large study found that levosimendan did not significantly reduce rates of death, heart attack, kidney dialysis, or mechanical assist device use among patients at high risk for low cardiac output syndrome. However, the drug reduced low cardiac output syndrome and required less use of other inotropes.
Bococizumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor, significantly reduced cardiovascular events by 21% in high-risk patients with high LDL cholesterol levels. However, it showed no benefit in patients with lower LDL levels, highlighting the importance of personalized treatment approaches.
Bococizumab significantly reduces cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with high LDL cholesterol levels. However, the drug's cholesterol-lowering effect tends to diminish over time in some patients.
A repurposed drug has been shown to prevent progression into diabetes in 80% of overweight patients with prediabetes, reversing the condition altogether in 60%. The study found that adding daily self-administered injections of liraglutide to diet and exercise significantly improved weight loss outcomes compared to placebo.
A double-blind, randomized clinical trial found that patients treated with naproxen and placebo had outcomes as good as those treated with naproxen and diazepam (Valium) for acute lower back pain. By three months after visiting the emergency department, most patients had recovered completely regardless of treatment.
A two-year course of immunotherapy did not significantly improve nasal symptoms in patients with moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis at three-year follow-up. Long-term benefits are unknown, but a shorter treatment duration may reduce costs and inconvenience.
A randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial investigated the effects of recombinant antithrombin on gestation duration and neonatal morbidity in expectantly managed patients with early onset preeclampsia. No improvement was found in outcomes, with no reported safety events related to Recombinant Antithrombin.
Ocrelizumab has been shown to significantly reduce new attacks in patients with relapsing MS, slow symptom progression in primary progressive MS, and decrease brain lesions. The drug also demonstrated lower rates of disability progression and fewer infusion-related reactions compared to placebo.
Researchers have made significant strides in treating primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) with ocrelizumab, a medication that targets immune cells contributing to the disease. The study, led by UTHealth's Jerry Wolinsky, shows substantial improvement in slowing disability progression and reducing new lesion formation.
A recent trial suggests vitamin D3 supplementation improves symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in children, including hyperactivity and social withdrawal. The study found significant improvements after four months of treatment, but not with a placebo.
A survey of 1,000 US parents found that 91.5% agreed use of placebo is vital for advancing new treatments, but only a majority accepted it for seven common conditions. The study highlights the need to refresh traditional pediatric therapeutic models to support parental decisions around placebos.
A new Wnt inhibitor drug has shown significant improvements in knee OA pain, joint function, and even slowed or reversed cartilage loss. The study found that the drug improved outcomes for 76% of patients in the high-dose group compared to 36% on placebo.
Researchers found that tranexamic acid effectively reduces bleeding in patients undergoing heart surgery. Additionally, studies suggest witholding common blood pressure medications before surgery may improve patient recovery and mortality rates.
A single dose of dextrose gel can lower the risk of developing neonatal hypoglycaemia in newborns, according to a randomized study. The study found that babies who received one dose of 200 mg/kg dextrose had the lowest risk of hypoglycemia compared to placebo.
A large international study led by McMaster University researchers found that low-intensity ultrasound treatment after surgical repair of a bone fracture has no effect on recovery time or quality of life. The study involved 501 patients and showed that using either an active or placebo device did not improve outcomes.
A study published by The North American Menopause Society found that low-dose estrogen therapy reduced moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats by 28.3%, 7.4% and 4.2% respectively after 6 months, with sustained improvement over 4 years.
A study found that open-label placebo treatment reduced initial pain and disability scores by approximately 30% in patients with chronic low back pain. This approach harnesses the placebo effect without deception, offering a potential solution to improve treatment of back pain.
A study found that patients who knowingly took a placebo pill alongside traditional treatment for lower back pain saw more improvement than those given treatment alone. The placebo effect was triggered by the patient-clinician relationship and ritual of taking pills, rather than conscious expectation of an active medicine.
A recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that DHA supplementation improved Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ) by 10% and increased scores on Information and Digit Span sub-tests, indicating significant improvements in long-term and short-term memory.
A phase III randomized controlled trial of custirsen in combination with cabazitaxel/prednisone found no significant survival gains compared to the placebo arm. Custirsen blocks clusterin production, which is involved in carcinogenesis and treatment resistance.
The MONALEESA2 study shows a significant improvement in progression-free survival for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer when treated with ribociclib plus letrozole. The combination also resulted in higher objective response rates and improved clinical benefits.
The ENGOT-OV16/NOVA trial shows niraparib significantly improves progression-free survival in recurrent ovarian cancer patients, with median survival rates up to 21 months. Niraparib also improves secondary endpoints, including time to first subsequent treatment and chemotherapy-free interval.
A three-armed clinical trial found that spinal manipulation therapy reduced migraine days, but the effect was likely attributed to a placebo response. Migraine treatment with usual drug therapy failed to show sustained benefits.
Research from the Center for BrainHealth found that smokers' beliefs about nicotine content impact their brain's response to smoking. The study used fMRI scans to show that participants who believed a cigarette contained nicotine experienced different neural activity compared to those who believed it didn't.
Researchers found that a simple saline solution twice daily was just as effective as three medications in reducing the frequency and severity of chronic nosebleeds. The study's results suggest that simple hydration may be enough to prevent nosebleeds, making saline nasal spray a potential treatment option.
Two studies found that nasal sprays containing bevacizumab, estriol, or tranexamic acid failed to significantly reduce the frequency and duration of nosebleeds in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. The treatment also had no measurable effect on quality of life, hemoglobin levels, or red blood cell transfusions.
The phase 3 ODYSSEY-ESCAPE trial found that alirocumab-treated patients had a 75% greater reduction in apheresis compared to placebo, with 63.4% eliminating apheresis altogether. This could mark a new era for HeFH patients struggling with weekly apheresis treatments.
A six-month open-label study found that treatment with a 2% testosterone solution improved low sex drive and low energy symptoms in men with hypogonadism. The safety profile was consistent with previous trials, indicating that long-term treatment is safe and effective.
A new study published in JAMA found that daily injection of the drug abaloparatide significantly reduced the risk of new vertebral and nonvertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The treatment also showed a more pronounced anabolic effect on bone compared to other osteoporosis drugs.
A long-term study found that starting medication for multiple sclerosis at the earliest sign of the disease can prolong the time before a definitive diagnosis is made. Participants who received early treatment had 33% fewer diagnoses of MS, more time between relapses, and lower yearly relapse rates compared to those on delayed treatment.
A new study published in Nutrients found that Montmorency tart cherry juice concentrate improved recovery among semi-professional male soccer players after a simulated game. The study found greater functional performance, reduced inflammation, and decreased muscle soreness in the Montmorency group compared to the placebo group.
Adalimumab, an inhibitor of the inflammatory protein tumor necrosis factor (TNF), has been shown to provide significantly greater symptom relief than placebo in patients with hidradenitis suppurtiva. The results of two phase 3 clinical trials support FDA approval of adalimumab for this painful skin condition.