Placebo

Source: music.download.com --- 38 days ago
From the artist: "This track from the album "Bones (Soundtrack) " released on Nettwerk Records (2008)" ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 2 days ago
Related Articles Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) versus Placebo for chronic low-back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(4):CD003008 Authors: Khadilkar A, Odebiyi DO, Brosseau L, Wells GA BACKGROUND: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was introduced more than 30 years ago as a therapeutic adjunct to the pharmacological management of pain. However, despite widespread use, its effectiveness in chronic low-back pain (LBP) is still controversial. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether TENS is more effective than Placebo for the management of chronic LBP. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PEDro and CINAHL were searched up to July 19, 2007. SELECTION CRITERIA: Only randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) comparing TENS to Placebo in patients with chronic LBP were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected the trials, assessed their methodological quality and extracted relevant data. If quantitative meta-analysis was not possible, a qualitative synthesis was performed, taking into consideration 5 levels of evidence as recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group. MAIN RESULTS: Four high-quality RCTs (585 patients) met the selection criteria. Clinical heterogeneity prevented the use of meta-analysis. Therefore, a qualitative synthesis was completed. There was conflicting evidence about whether TENS w ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 5 days ago
Related Articles Prednisone plus gefitinib versus prednisone plus Placebo in the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer: a randomized phase II trial. Oncology. 2008;74(3-4):223-8 Authors: Boccardo F, Rubagotti A, Conti G, Battaglia M, Cruciani G, Manganelli A, Ricci S, Lapini A BACKGROUND: Abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor expression and pre-clinical data prompted us to investigate the activity of gefitinib, a selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in hormone-refractory prostate cancer. METHODS: Eighty-two patients were randomly assigned to receive prednisone plus gefitinib (pG; n = 44) or prednisone plus Placebo (ppl; n = 38). On progression, patients initially assigned to Placebo were offered the possibility to receive gefitinib. Best prostate-specific antigen response was the primary endpoint. RESULTS: At a median follow-up time of 29.0 months (26.0-32.0), 77 patients progressed and 51 died. Prostate-specific antigen response was recorded in 6/38 (15.8%; 95% CI 4.2-27.4) and in 5/44 (11.4%; 95% CI 2.0-20.8) patients in pG and ppl groups, respectively. There was no difference between groups in time to progression (median pG 4.0 months, range 3.5-4.5; median ppl 4.5 months, range 3.5-5.0) and survival (median pG 26.5 months, range 16.0-37.0; median ppl 20.5 months, range 14.0-27.0). Adverse events occurred in 19 patients in each arm and were generally mild. CONCLUSIONS: pG showed a good ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 5 days ago
Related Articles Effect of exenatide on 24-hour blood glucose profile compared with Placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, two-arm, parallel-group, Placebo-controlled, 2-week study. Clin Ther. 2008 May;30(5):858-67 Authors: Schwartz SL, Ratner RE, Kim DD, Qu Y, Fechner LL, Lenox SM, Holcombe JH OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the glucose-lowering effect of exenatide over 24 hours in patients with type 2 diabetes with inadequate glycemic control using metformin, with or without a thiazolidinedione (TZD). METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, 2-arm, parallel-group, Placebo-controlled, 2-week study was conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes with inadequate glycemic control, despite metformin with or without a TZD. Patients underwent a baseline and a week-2 (study end) 24-hour admission during which serial serum glucose measurements were taken. Preprandial and postprandial concentrations of triglycerides and free fatty acids were also measured. Meals provided for each patient were identical at the baseline and week-2 assessments. Following the baseline admission, patients were randomized to receive SC injections of either exenatide (5 microg BID for 1 week, then 10 microg BID for the next week) or Placebo (volume equivalent) for 14 days. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients (19 women [63%], 11 men [37%]; mean [SD] age, 52.6 [11.2] years; weight, 94.3 [23.0] kg; body mass index, 34.2 [6.1] kg/ ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 12 days ago
Re: Oral Ketoconazole for Prevention of Postoperative Penile Erection: A Placebo Controlled, Randomized, Double-Blind Trial B. J. DeCastro, R. A. Costabile, L. P. McMann and A. C. PetersonJ Urol 2008; 179: 1930-1932. J Urol. 2008 Sep 26; Authors: Levine LA PMID: 18823919 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] ...

Source: www.moreover.com --- 12 days ago
] DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS GLUCOSAMINE AND/OR CHONDROITIN FARE NO BETTER THAN Placebo IN SLOWING STRUCTURAL DAMAGE OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS Interpreting the study results is complicated, however, because participants taking Placebo had a smaller loss of ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 7 days ago
Related Articles Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Is Safe and Effective in the Treatment of Chronic Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis: Results of a Confirmatory Randomized Placebo-Controlled Multicenter Study. Am J Sports Med. 2008 Oct 1; Authors: Gerdesmeyer L, Frey C, Vester J, Maier M, Weil L, Weil L, Russlies M, Stienstra J, Scurran B, Fedder K, Diehl P, Lohrer H, Henne M, Gollwitzer H BACKGROUND: Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an effective treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis that can be administered to outpatients without anesthesia but has not yet been evaluated in controlled trials. HYPOTHESIS: There is no difference in effectiveness between radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy and Placebo in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: Three interventions of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (0.16 mJ/mm(2); 2000 impulses) compared with Placebo were studied in 245 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. Primary endpoints were changes in visual analog scale composite score from baseline to 12 weeks' follow-up, overall success rates, and success rates of the single visual analog scale scores (heel pain at first steps in the morning, during daily activities, during standardized pressure force). Secondary endpoints were single changes in visual analog scale scores, success rates, Roles and Maudsley score, SF-36, and patients' ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 8 days ago
Related Articles The relationship between antidepressant and analgesic responses: findings from six Placebo-controlled trials assessing the efficacy of duloxetine in patients with major depressive disorder. Curr Med Res Opin. 2008 Sep 30; Authors: Fishbain DA, Detke MJ, Wernicke J, Chappell AS, Kajdasz DK OBJECTIVE: Debate continues regarding whether onset of analgesia is faster than antidepressant effect in antidepressants with both properties. Duloxetine hydrochloride (from here on referred to as duloxetine) is effective in both major depressive disorder and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. This post-hoc analysis of six Placebo-controlled duloxetine trials in patients with major depressive disorder was designed to compare onset of antidepressant activity to pain relief.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Duloxetine was administered at 40-120 mg/day versus Placebo for up to 9 weeks in outpatient clinic settings. The primary depression measure was the HAMD(17) and pain severity was measured using visual analog scale (VAS) measuring overall pain, headache, back and shoulder pain, and pain while awake. The time course of improvement was profiled using repeated measures modeling and Kaplan-Meier product limit estimation. RESULTS: In all but one case, significant reductions in HAMD(17) and VAS scores were seen within 2 weeks of treatment. Median time to VAS response was consistently shorter across all VAS measures than that to HAMD(17) respo ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 12 days ago
Related Articles Clinical and biochemical effects of a combination botanical product (ClearGuard) for allergy: a pilot randomized double-blind Placebo-controlled trial. Nutr J. 2008;7:20 Authors: Corren J, Lemay M, Lin Y, Rozga L, Randolph RK BACKGROUND: Botanical products are frequently used for treatment of nasal allergy. Three of these substances, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Malpighia glabra, and Bidens pilosa, have been shown to have a number of anti-allergic properties in-vitro. The current study was conducted to determine the effects of these combined ingredients upon the nasal response to allergen challenge in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Twenty subjects were randomized to receive the combination botanical product, (CBP) 2 tablets three times a day, loratadine, 10 mg once a day in the morning, or Placebo, using a randomized, double-blinded crossover design. Following 2 days of each treatment and during the third day of treatment, subjects underwent a nasal allergen challenge (NAC), in which nasal symptoms were assessed after each challenge dose and every 2 hours for 8 hours. Nasal lavage fluid was assessed for tryptase, prostaglandin D2, and leukotriene E4 concentrations and inflammatory cells. RESULTS: Loratadine significantly reduced the total nasal symptom score during the NAC compared with Placebo (P = 0.04) while the CBP did not. During the 8 hour period following NAC, loratadine and the CBP both reduced NS ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 10 days ago
Related Articles The rate of decline of joint space width in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized Placebo-controlled trials of chondroitin sulfate. Curr Med Res Opin. 2008 Sep 29; Authors: Hochberg MC, Zhan M, Langenberg P BACKGROUND: Chondroitin sulfate has been shown to relieve pain and improve functional limitation in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in numerous clinical trials and meta-analyses. Its role as a potential structure-modifying drug for knee OA, however, remains controversial.OBJECTIVE: To perform a meta-analysis of randomized double-blind Placebo-controlled clinical trials to assess the efficacy of chondroitin sulfate as a structure-modifying drug for knee OA.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A Medline search was conducted from 1996 through 2007 and five articles that reported results from three trials were identified; one additional trial was identified through review of presentations at annual rheumatology meetings. There was no evidence of heterogeneity across the trials and results were pooled using a fixed effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Pooled results demonstrated a small significant effect of chondroitin sulfate on the reduction in rate of decline in minimum joint space width of 0.07 mm/year (95% CI 0.03, 0.10) that corresponded to an effect size of 0.26 (95% CI 0.14, 0.38) (p < 0.0001). This result was robust in sensitivity analyses.LIMITATIONS: T ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 4 days ago
Related Articles Aripiprazole monotherapy in the treatment of acute bipolar I mania: A randomized, double-blind, Placebo- and lithium-controlled study. J Affect Disord. 2008 Oct 1; Authors: Keck PE, Orsulak PJ, Cutler AJ, Sanchez R, Torbeyns A, Marcus RN, McQuade RD, Carson WH, OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole as acute and maintenance of effect monotherapy for acute bipolar mania. METHODS: Patients with acute bipolar I mania (DSM-IV-TR: YMRS >/=20), manic or mixed (with or without psychotic features) were randomized to double-blind aripiprazole (15-30 mg/day; n=155), Placebo (n=165) or lithium (900-1500 mg/day; n=160) (1:1:1) for 3 weeks. Aripiprazole- and lithium-treated patients remained on blinded treatment for 9 additional weeks. The primary outcome was the mean change from baseline in YMRS Total score (LOCF) to Week 3. Secondary outcomes included the mean change from baseline in YMRS Total score (LOCF) at all other timepoints up to Week 12. RESULTS: Aripiprazole demonstrated significantly greater improvement than Placebo in mean YMRS Total score from baseline to Day 2 (-4.3 vs.-2.8; p=0.003), and up to Week 3 (-12.6 vs. -9.0; p<0.001). Significant improvement in YMRS Total score was also seen with lithium versus Placebo at Week 3 (-12.0 vs. -9.0; p=0.005). Improvements in YMRS Total score were maintained to Week 12 for aripiprazole (-14.5) and lithium (-12.7). Response rates at Week 3 were significa ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 11 days ago
Related Articles A multi-center, randomized, double blind Placebo-controlled trial of estrogens to prevent Alzheimer's disease and loss of memory in women: design and baseline characteristics. Clin Trials. 2008;5(5):523-33 Authors: Sano M, Jacobs D, Andrews H, Bell K, Graff-Radford N, Lucas J, Rabins P, Bolla K, Tsai WY, Cross P, Andrews K, Costa R, Xiaodong Luo BACKGROUND: Observational studies and small clinical trials suggested that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) decreases risk of cognitive loss and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in postmenopausal women and may have value in primary prevention. PURPOSE: A clinical trial was designed to determine if HRT delays AD or memory loss. This report describes the rationale and original design of the trial and details extensive modifications that were required to respond to unanticipated findings that emerged from other studies during the course of the trial. METHODS: The trial was designed as a multi-center, Placebo-controlled primary prevention trial for women 65 years of age or older with a family history of dementia. Recruitment from local sites was supplemented by centralized efforts to use names of Medicare beneficiaries. Inclusion criteria included good general health and intact memory functioning. Participants were randomized to HRT or Placebo in a 1:1 ratio. Assignment was stratified by hysterectomy status and site. The primary outcomes were incident AD and memory decline on neuropsychol ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 12 days ago
Effect of candesartan on prevention (DIRECT-Prevent 1) and progression (DIRECT-Protect 1) of retinopathy in type 1 diabetes: randomised, Placebo-controlled trials. Lancet. 2008 Sep 25; Authors: Chaturvedi N, Porta M, Klein R, Orchard T, Fuller J, Parving HH, Bilous R, Sjølie AK, BACKGROUND: Results of previous studies suggest that renin-angiotensin system blockers might reduce the burden of diabetic retinopathy. We therefore designed the DIabetic REtinopathy Candesartan Trials (DIRECT) Programme to assess whether candesartan could reduce the incidence and progression of retinopathy in type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Two randomised, double-blind, parallel-design, Placebo-controlled trials were done in 309 centres worldwide. Participants with normotensive, normoalbuminuric type 1 diabetes without retinopathy were recruited to the DIRECT-Prevent 1 trial and those with existing retinopathy were recruited to DIRECT-Protect 1, and were assigned to candesartan 16 mg once a day or matching Placebo. After 1 month, the dose was doubled to 32 mg. Investigators and participants were unaware of the treatment allocation status. The primary endpoints were incidence and progression of retinopathy and were defined as at least a two-step and at least a three-step increase on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) scale, respectively. These trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT00252733 for DIRECT-Prevent 1 and NCT00252720 f ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 4 days ago
Related Articles A Placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of naltrexone in the context of different levels of psychosocial intervention. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2008 Jul;32(7):1299-308 Authors: Oslin DW, Lynch KG, Pettinati HM, Kampman KM, Gariti P, Gelfand L, Ten Have T, Wortman S, Dundon W, Dackis C, Volpicelli JR, O'Brien CP BACKGROUND: Naltrexone is approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence when used in conjunction with a psychosocial intervention. This study was undertaken to examine the impact of 3 types of psychosocial treatment combined with either naltrexone or Placebo treatment on alcohol dependency over 24 weeks of treatment: (1) Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) + medication clinic, (2) BRENDA (an intervention promoting pharmacotherapy) + medication clinic, and (3) a medication clinic model with limited therapeutic content. METHODS: Two hundred and forty alcohol-dependent subjects were enrolled in a 24-week double-blind Placebo-controlled study of naltrexone (100 mg/d). Subjects were also randomly assigned to 1 of 3 psychosocial interventions. All patients were assessed for alcohol use, medication adherence, and adverse events at regularly scheduled research visits. RESULTS: There was a modest main treatment effect for the psychosocial condition favoring those subjects randomized to CBT. Intent-to-treat analyses suggested that there was no overall efficacy of naltrexone and no medication by psychosocial interve ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 12 days ago
Effect of candesartan on progression and regression of retinopathy in type 2 diabetes (DIRECT-Protect 2): a randomised Placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2008 Sep 25; Authors: Sjølie AK, Klein R, Porta M, Orchard T, Fuller J, Parving HH, Bilous R, Chaturvedi N, BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy remains a leading cause of visual loss in people of working age. We examined whether candesartan treatment could slow the progression and, secondly, induce regression of retinopathy in people with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We did a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, Placebo-controlled trial in 309 centres worldwide. We recruited normoalbuminuric, normotensive, or treated hypertensive people with type 2 diabetes with mild to moderately severe retinopathy and assigned them to candesartan 16 mg once a day or Placebo. After a month, the dose was doubled to 32 mg once per day. Investigators and patients were unaware of the treatment allocation status. Progression of retinopathy was the primary endpoint, and regression was a secondary endpoint. Analysis was by intention to treat. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00252694. FINDINGS: 1905 participants (aged 37-75 years) were randomised to candesartan (n=951) or Placebo (n=954). 161 (17%) patients in the candesartan group and 182 (19%) in the Placebo group had progression of retinopathy by three steps or more on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study scale. The risk ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 18 hours ago
Related Articles Placebo-controlled trial of 400 mg amantadine combined with peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin for 48 weeks in chronic hepatitis C virus-1 infection. Hepatology. 2008 Jun 19; Authors: von Wagner M, Hofmann WP, Teuber G, Berg T, Goeser T, Spengler U, Hinrichsen H, Weidenbach H, Gerken G, Manns M, Buggisch P, Herrmann E, Zeuzem S The impact of amantadine on virologic response rates of interferon-based treatment of chronic hepatitis C is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare virological response rates in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-1 infection treated with 400 mg amantadine or Placebo in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kD) and ribavirin for 48 weeks. Seven hundred four previously untreated chronically HCV-1-infected patients (mean age, 46 +/- 12 years) were randomized to (A) amantadine-sulphate (400 mg/day) (n = 352) or (B) Placebo (n = 352), both in combination with 180 mug peginterferon alfa-2a once weekly and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/day) for 48 weeks. End of treatment and sustained virological response after a 24-week follow-up period were assessed by qualitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (sensitivity, 50 IU/mL). Demographic and baseline virological parameters were similar in both treatment groups. In groups A and B, 231 of 352 patients (66%) and 256 of 352 patients (72%) achieved an end of treatment response, and 171 of 352 patients (49 %) an ...

Source: www.metafilter.com --- 42 days ago
Cleaning hotel rooms is a strenuous business. However, when Alia Crum and Ellen Langer talked to 84 maids, most were under the impression that they did not get enough exercise. Furthermore, when they were measured for tests such as BMI and blood pressure, their results were typical of couch potatoes. The researchers let half the group in on the knowledge that they were getting more than enough of a daily workout and kept the rest in the dark. After a month results showed the former group were healthier on every single one of the objective health measurements tested - despite claiming to have been doing no more exercise or to have changed their diet. The study raises the possibility that mindset alone can influence our metabolism. Christopher Shea in the New York Times and Ben Goldacre in The Guardian have articles discussing the original paper . ...

Source: www.drugs.com --- 39 days ago
Offers a New Perspective for Clinical Practice LOS ANGELES, Sept. 2, 2008--In an article published in Psychopharmacology Bulletin this week, Arif Kahn, MD, challenges the “deliberate movement among certain individuals, including some... ...