Efficacy and tolerability of a complex homeopathic drug in children suffering from dry cough-A double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

Drug Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (08) ◽  
pp. 444-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Voß ◽  
Andreas Michalsen ◽  
Rainer Brünjes

Abstract Background A randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial in children suffering from acute dry cough was performed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a complex homeopathic drug (Drosera, Coccus cacti, Cuprum Sulfuricum, Ipecacuanha=Monapax syrup, short: verum). Methods 89 children received verum and 91 received placebo daily for 7 days (age groups 0.5–3, 4–7 and 8–12 years). The primary efficacy variable was the improvement of the Cough Assessment Score. Tolerability and compliance were also assessed. A confirmatory statistical analysis was performed for the primary efficacy variable and a descriptive analysis for the secondary parameters. Results The Cough Assessment Score showed an improvement of 5.2±2.6 points for children treated with verum and 3.2±2.6 points in the placebo group (p<0.0001). The difference of the least square means of the improvements was 1.9±0.4. The effect size of Cohen´s d was d=0.77. In all secondary parameters the patients in the verum group showed higher rates of improvement and remission than those in the placebo group. In 15 patients (verum: n=6; placebo: n=9) 18 adverse drug reactions of mild or moderate intensity were observed. Conclusions Administering verum resulted in a statistically significantly greater improvement of the Cough Assessment Score than the placebo. The tolerability was good and not inferior to that of the placebo.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e1462
Author(s):  
Mehdi Pasalar ◽  
Seyed Hamdollah Mosavat ◽  
Hossein Molavi Vardanjani ◽  
Mohsen Keshavarz ◽  
Maryam Mosaffa-Jahromi ◽  
...  

Background: Dried lime (Citrus aurantifulia) is one of the herbal preparations used especially by Iranian pilgrims as a preventative agent and self-remedy for respiratory tracts symptoms in folklore medicine. Therefore, we evaluated the preventive efficacy of dried lime preparation in common cold among Iranian pilgrims. Materials and Methods: In this randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial patients in the drug group received dried lime capsules, 500 mg in a single dose per day for four weeks. In the placebo group, the patients received placebo capsules using the same method. The primary outcome measure in this trial was the severity of cold symptoms assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the trend of cold symptoms severity during the study period. However, in the second week, the severity of all the cold symptoms in the drug group was less, compared to the placebo, but at the end of the study, comparison of the two groups revealed no significant difference in any of the investigated options. Conclusion: The findings revealed that although the severity of all the cold symptoms in the drug group was less as compared to the placebo group, the dried lime capsule showed no statistically significant effect on the control of these symptoms in Iranian pilgrims. [GMJ.2020;9:e1462]  


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zohre Rahmani ◽  
Nahid Rejeh ◽  
Majideh Heravi-Karimooi ◽  
Seyed Davood Tadrisi ◽  
Mojtaba Vaismoradi

Background and objective: Admission to the cardiac care unit may cause physiological and psychological problems in patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of hand reflexology on anxiety and physiological variables among female patients with acute coronary syndrome hospitalized in the cardiac care unit.Methods: This randomized placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted on 90 female patients hospitalized in the cardiac care unit in an urban area of Iran. The patients were chosen using a convenient sampling method and then were randomly assigned into intervention (n = 45) and placebo (n = 45) groups. While the intervention group received hand reflexology for 20 minutes, the placebo group received a simple touch of hand without the stimulation of reflexology points.  Demographic data was collected at the beginning of the study using face-to-face interviews with the patients. The anxiety level was assessed using the Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) immediately after the intervention and 30 min after the intervention. Also, physiological variables including respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation were measured before, immediately after the intervention and 30 minutes after the intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the intervention and placebo groups before the intervention (p > .05). The anxiety level in the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the placebo group immediately after the intervention and 30 minutes after the intervention (p < .05, η = 0.090). However, no statistically significant differences in physiological variables between the groups were observed (p > .05).Conclusions: Hand reflexology influenced the level of anxiety. Therefore, nurses can use hand reflexology as a method for reducing patients’ anxiety along with other nursing interventions.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e024968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingyan Huang ◽  
Guang Chen ◽  
Qingya Guan ◽  
Chao Liu ◽  
Qing Zhao ◽  
...  

IntroductionAs the early stage of coronary heart disease (CHD), borderline coronary lesion (BCL) is defined as a 30%–70% diameter stenosis. Previous studies have demonstrated that BCL may progress to acute coronary syndrome easily. However, routine medications available for the treatments of BCL have some limitations. Xuanbi antong granule (XAG) has been used for the treatment of BCL in China for many years. Previous studies have shown that XAG has effectiveness in improving clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with CHD. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of XAG in patients with BCL.Methods and analysisThis is a multicentre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 300 participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention group and the placebo group. Based on routine medications, the intervention group will be treated with XAG and the placebo group will be treated with XAG placebo. All participants will receive a 6-month treatment and then be followed-up for another 6 months. The primary outcomes are the changes of target plaque characteristics (including target plaque volume, degree of stenosis, CT value and calcification score) measured by dual source CT angiography. The secondary outcomes include blood lipid indicators, efficacy of angina symptoms, Seattle Angina Questionnaire, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and occurrence of major adverse cardiac events. All the data will be recorded in electronic case report forms and analysed by SPSS V.20.0.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by Research Ethics Committee of Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing, China (No. 2017–083-KY-01). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The results of this study will be disseminated to the public through academic conferences and peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberChiCTR-IOR-17013189; Pre-results.


1998 ◽  
Vol 87 (02) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemarie Papp ◽  
Gert Schuback ◽  
Elmar Beck ◽  
Georg Burkard ◽  
Jürgen Bengel ◽  
...  

AbstractA controlled clinical trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness of OscillococcinumR in the treatment of patients with influenza-like syndromes. 188 patients received the test drug and 184 patients were assigned to the placebo. Data were recorded by the participating physicians at the beginning of the treatment, after 48 hours and after 7–10 days. During the first few days, the patients recorded their rectal temperature twice a day (mornings and evenings), 9 symptoms on a rating scale (cough, catarrh, sore throat, muscle pain, etc.), and use of medication. Recovery was defined as follows: ‘rectal temperature < 37.5°C and no headache or muscle pain’. Effectiveness was defined as a statistically significant greater decrease in symptoms after 48 hours in the verum group or a shorter duration of symptoms in comparison to the placebo group. After 48 hours the symptoms of the patients in the verum group were significantly milder (P=0.023) than in the placebo group. The number of patients with no symptoms was significantly higher in the verum group from the second day onwards (verum: 17.4%, placebo: 6.6%) until the end of the patients’ recording (day 5 in the evening: verum: 73.7%, placebo: 67.7%). The biggest group difference was recorded for the time between the evening of the second day (10.6% more patients with no symptoms) and the morning of the fourth day (10.2% more patients with no symptoms). The clinical trial showed that treatment of influenza-like syndromes with OscillococcinumR has a positive effect on the decline of symptoms and on the duration of the disease.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malta Cássia Emanuella Nóbrega ◽  
Anna Clara Aragão Matos Carlos ◽  
Manuele Carine Maciel de Alencar ◽  
Eveline Fernandes Alves e Silva ◽  
Victor Bruno Caitano Nogueira ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBMT) in preventing dysgeusia in breast cancer patients treated with doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide (AC). Methods This is a phase II, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 112 breast cancer patients treated with AC. The patients were divided equally into two groups: a test group treated with 2 J red laser and 3 J infrared laser on 21 points that were symmetrically distributed on the tongue on day 0 of four cycles of AC, and an equal placebo group treated with simulated PBMT to blind the patient, evaluator, and statistician. The clinicopathological and sociodemographic data, results of the hematological tests, taste test, and subjective taste analysis, and the QoL, ECOG performance status, body mass index, and other side effects were recorded. The data were analyzed using ANOVA-RM/Bonferroni, Friedman/Dunn, and chi-square/Fisher's exact tests. Results PBMT patients showed less objective and subjective taste loss (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the placebo group showed a higher ECOG status (p = 0.037) and more significant weight loss (p < 0.001) after four cycles of AC. The QoL was significantly higherin the PBMT group (p < 0.05) at all assessment periods, and PBMT treatment also reduced the incidence of cachexia (p = 0.020), anorexia (p < 0.001), diarrhea (p = 0.040), oral mucositis (p = 0.020), and vomiting (p = 0.008). Conclusion PBMT reduced the taste loss and improved the overall health status and QoL of patients with breast cancer treated with AC. Trial registration : Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br) approval numberRBR-9qnm34y, registered on 01/05/2021


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kourosh Masnadi Shirazi ◽  
Simin Sotoudeh ◽  
Arman Masnadi Shirazi ◽  
Seyyed-Yaghoub Moaddab ◽  
Zahra Nourpanah ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The use of antioxidant agents is suggested as a complementary therapy in UC patients for prevention of flares. Considering the potent antioxidant activity of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), in the present study we aimed to assess the effect of this supplement on remission maintenance in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: In the present double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, 168 volunteer UC patients who were on high dose corticosteroid for flare-up management, were recruited. The patients received 400 mg NAC or placebo twice daily for 16 weeks. Simultaneously, the prednisolone dose was tapered. The patients were followed up six more weeks post-intervention. The primary efficacy of the treatment was remaining in remission. The secondary outcomes were the endoscopic relapse, serum level of hs-CRP, hemoglobin, and fecal calprotectin level. Results: During 22 weeks follow up, 25 patients experienced relapses, six of them were in the NAC group and 19 of them were in the placebo group. There was a significant difference between the NAC and placebo groups regarding the relapse-free period (P=0.007). Compared with the NAC group, significantly more patients in the placebo group had an endoscopic relapse (p <0.001). At the end of the intervention period (16 weeks) and 6 weeks post-intervention, the mean fecal calprotectin, serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and hs-CRP levels were significantly lower in the NAC group compared with the placebo group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicated that NAC had a significantly more positive effect on the maintenance of remission compared with placebo in UC patients that were in the steroid-tapering phase of therapy.


Pain Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 2212-2218
Author(s):  
Carolina Chaves ◽  
Paulo Cesar T Bittencourt ◽  
Andreia Pelegrini

Abstract Objective To determine the benefit of a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-rich cannabis oil on symptoms and quality of life of fibromyalgia patients. Methods A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted for eight weeks to determine the benefit of a THC-rich cannabis oil (24.44 mg/mL of THC and 0.51 mg/mL of cannabidiol [CBD]) on symptoms and quality of life of 17 women with fibromyalgia, residents of a neighborhood with a low socioeconomic profile and a high incidence of violence in the city of Florianopolis, Brazil. The initial dose was one drop (∼1.22 mg of THC and 0.02 mg of CBD) a day with subsequent increases according to symptoms. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was applied at pre- and postintervention moments and in five visits over eight weeks. Results There were no significant differences on baseline FIQ score between groups. However, after the intervention, the cannabis group presented a significant decrease in FIQ score in comparison with the placebo group (P = 0.005) and in comparison with cannabis group baseline score. (P &lt; 0.001). Analyzing isolated items on the FIQ, the cannabis group presented significant improvement on the “feel good,” “pain,” “do work,” and “fatigue” scores. The placebo group presented significant improvement on the “depression” score after intervention. There were no intolerable adverse effects. Conclusions Phytocannabinoids can be a low-cost and well-tolerated therapy to reduce symptoms and increase the quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia. Future studies are still needed to assess long-term benefits, and studies with different varieties of cannabinoids associated with a washout period must be done to enhance our knowledge of cannabis action in this health condition.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1098612X2110534
Author(s):  
Rachael Cunningham ◽  
Margaret E Gruen ◽  
Andrea Thomson ◽  
B Duncan X Lascelles

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pain-alleviating and activity-enhancing effects of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate (Dasuquin) in cats that had degenerative joint disease (DJD) and owner-noted mobility/activity impairment. We hypothesized that the nutritional supplement would produce pain-relieving and activity-enhancing effects in cats with painful DJD. Methods In this prospective, randomized, stratified, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 59 cats with DJD pain were assigned to receive a placebo (n = 30) or supplement (n = 29) for 6 weeks after 2 weeks of placebo. Outcome measures (at-home accelerometry and client-specific outcome measures [feline (CSOMf); Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI); quality of life (QoL)]; and veterinarian examination) were collected at days 14, 28, 42 and 56. Results Twenty-seven cats in the treatment group and 30 in the placebo group completed the trial. Within the first 2 weeks (placebo administration to all cats), 78% of all cats had an improvement in CSOMf scores. Both groups showed significant improvement at most time points in CSOMf, FMPI, QoL and pain scores, with the placebo group showing greater improvement than the supplement group (significant for CSOMf [ P = 0.01]). Overall, no differences in activity were seen between the groups. Cumulative distribution function analysis indicated that for most levels of activity, the placebo-treated cats were more active; however, the least active cats were more active on the supplement ( P = 0.013). Conclusions and relevance This study showed a strong placebo effect. The glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate supplement did not show pain-relieving effects when compared with placebo.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Beer ◽  
Simon Wood ◽  
Robert H. Veghte

Objective. A new, novel product, Cynatine HNS, was evaluated for its effects as a supplement for improving various aspects of hair and nails in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.Methods. A total of 50 females were included and randomized into two groups. The active group (n=25) received 2 capsules containing Cynatine HNS, comprised of Cynatine brand keratin (500 mg) plus vitamins and minerals, per day, and the placebo group (n=25) received 2 identical capsules of maltodextrin per day for 90 days. End points for hair loss, hair growth, hair strength, amino acid composition, and hair luster were measured. End points were also measured for nail strength and the appearance of nails.Results. The results show that subjects taking Cynatine HNS showed statistically significant improvements in their hair and nails when compared to placebo.Conclusion. Cynatine HNS is an effective supplement for improving hair and nails in 90 days or less. EudraCT number is 2014-002645-22.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Lei Shen ◽  
Si Ra Gwak ◽  
Jong Cheon Joo ◽  
Bong Keun Song ◽  
Seon Woo Cha ◽  
...  

Background. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Panax ginseng extract (GS-KG9) in the treatment of hepatic dysfunction. Methods. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted from December 2017 to January 2019. The trial included 60 subjects between the ages of 19 and 70 who had higher alanine transaminase (ALT) levels than the normal upper limit. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: GS-KG9 (n = 30) and placebo (n = 30). The former was administered three GS-KG9 capsules (3 g/day) and the latter three placebo capsules (3 g/day) twice each day orally after meals in the morning and evening for 12 weeks. The primary goal was to observe the changes in ALT and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels. The safety of the treatment was assessed and adverse events (AEs) were recorded. Results. Out of 60 subjects, nine were excluded from the efficacy analysis because they met the exclusion criteria. Therefore, a total of 51 subjects were evaluated for the effectiveness of the treatment (26 in the GS-KG9 group and 25 in the placebo group). After 12 weeks of treatment, the ALT levels were significantly reduced in the GS-KG9 group compared to the placebo group (p=0.009). The GGT level of the GS-KG9 group was significantly lower than that of the placebo group (p=0.036). Mild AEs, such as diarrhea, occurred during the study. There were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion. The results of this trial suggest that GS-KG9 might be an effective and safe option for mild hepatic dysfunction. This trial is registered with KCT0004080.


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