Time-blind videotaped evaluation of injectable diazepam, lorazepam and placebo.
Eighteen inpatients suffering from a severe anxiety received in double-blind and crossover conditions iv and im injections of 10 mg diazepam, 5 mg lorazepam or saline t.i.d. during 5 days. The morning injections was made iv in a CCTV studio. Before injection and 20 mn after it, the patient filled out a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale; his doctor-in-charge proceeded to a standard interview and to physiological measurements (tremor of hand, patellar reflexes, blood pressure, pulse rate). The videotaped interviews were randomly, i.e. time-blind, rated by two independent observers on 3 scales: the VAS, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and an ad hoc Verbal and Non-Verbal Anxiety Scale (VNVA). The statistical analysis was completed by a logical analysis according to Lewis Carroll. The results demonstrate the superiority of lorazepam over diazepam on psychic anxiety, somatic anxiety, sleep and blood pressure, the only significant side-effect being drowsiness.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013997:Time Factors; D014743:Videotape Recording
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D010919:Placebos; D008140:Lorazepam; D003975:Diazepam