This was an issue in the past in a study where children with ADHD were used as their own controls to evaluate a new medication, sometimes getting it and sometimes having placebo. Mothers said they knew when their sons were getting the medication and when they were getting the placebo. Since one measure of effectiveness was parent ratings, if mothers knew the difference because the boys were calmer, OK, but if it was because of side effects, the results could be biased in favor of the medication. Riki Koenigsberg [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) In a message dated 3/7/2008 11:36:33 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
And to further complicate things, the discriminability of the side effects of antidepressants is strong enough so that a true placebo (one with the same side effects as the test drug but lacking the main effect) is hard to find. **************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money & Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
