1. A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Acyclovir in Postherpetic Neuralgia
- Author
-
Lee Baer, L. Gray Davis, Martin S. Hirsch, Theresa Flynn, Owen S. Surman, Stephen W. Parker, and Robert T. Schooley
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Placebo-controlled study ,Acyclovir ,Administration, Oral ,Placebo ,Herpes Zoster ,Double blind ,Double-Blind Method ,Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous) ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,Pain perception ,Applied Psychology ,Aged ,Pain Measurement ,Aged, 80 and over ,Clinical Trials as Topic ,Postherpetic neuralgia ,business.industry ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Pain reduction ,Anesthesia ,Neuralgia ,Treatment strategy ,Female ,business - Abstract
Twenty-one patients with postherpetic neuralgia of two- to 84-months duration participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of oral acyclovir. Pain perception was assessed with the Melzack Pain Questionnaire at baseline and at two- to six-week intervals during the ensuing six months. Clinically significant pain reduction occurred in eight patients: four received acyclovir, and four received a placebo. Several treatment strategies have been advocated for relief of postherpetic neuralgia. Results of the present study demonstrate the need for a double-blind, placebo-controlled paradigm to substantiate the efficacy of new clinical approaches. The same caveat applies to the more common syndromes encountered in psychiatric practice.
- Published
- 1990