Tag

Randomized Controlled Trial

All articles tagged with #randomized controlled trial

health5 days ago•6 min saved

Omega-3 and aspirin show antibiotic-equivalent results in severe gum disease trial

In a yearlong randomized trial of 109 adults with severe periodontitis, daily omega-3 plus low-dose aspirin produced clinical outcomes nearly identical to standard antibiotics, offering an antibiotic-sparing option for some patients. The combination with antibiotics did not improve results, and benefits persisted six months after stopping supplementation; more research is needed before routine use due to safety, broader applicability, and antibiotic-resistance considerations.

via Science Daily|

#antibiotics-resistance #aspirin #health

health-and-medicine11 days ago•5 min saved

Fresh Mint, Fresh Data: Peppermint Oil Lowers Mild Hypertension in 20 Days

In a randomized trial, 40 adults with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension took 100 microliters of peppermint oil twice daily for 20 days, reducing systolic blood pressure by an average of 8.5 mmHg versus placebo, suggesting peppermint oil could be a low-cost, well-tolerated option for mildly elevated blood pressure.

via Science Daily|

#blood-pressure #health-and-medicine #hypertension

health12 days ago•5 min saved

Daily Pill Shows Color Return in Vitiligo Patients (Early Trials)

In two 48-week, placebo-controlled trials, the daily JAK inhibitor upadacitinib helped some people with generalized vitiligo regain skin color across the face and body. About 23–25% on the drug reached at least 75% facial color (vs 6–7% placebo), 19–21% regained half their color elsewhere, and 14% achieved 90% facial color, with improvements persisting beyond 48 weeks. While promising, most participants did not reach the main facial target and long-term durability and safety remain uncertain. The EU has approved the drug for eligible patients aged 12+, but darker-skinned groups were underrepresented; common side effects included infections, acne, headaches, and shingles. Ongoing follow-up for up to 112 more weeks aims to clarify lasting benefits.

via ScienceAlert|

#health #jak-inhibitors #randomized-controlled-trial

health29 days ago•36 min saved

UK NHS trial shows promise of a single-dose psilocybin with therapy for hard-to-treat depression

A UK National Health Service–based phase 2 feasibility randomized trial tested a single 25‑mg dose of psilocybin with psychological support versus placebo in 60 adults with treatment‑resistant major depressive disorder. At three and six weeks, the psilocybin group showed large, clinically meaningful reductions on the MADRS compared with placebo (about a 10–13 point advantage) and higher response/remission rates, with improvements in anxiety and well‑being. Adverse events were mostly mild and not clearly linked to the drug, and blinding was imperfect, suggesting expectancy effects contributed to the outcome. Feasibility metrics (recruitment, retention, data completeness) were favorable, supporting larger efficacy trials and consideration of cost‑effectiveness in public healthcare. Overall, the study demonstrates the practicality of delivering psilocybin‑assisted therapy in NHS settings, while recognizing limitations that future trials should address.

via Nature|

#depression #health #nhs

health2 months ago•16 min saved

Metformin and cancer: no broad benefit, only niche signals

A review of recent evidence shows metformin does not provide broad cancer prevention or survival benefits. Large trials (MAST in low‑risk prostate cancer; STAMPEDE) and meta-analyses report no overall improvement in progression-free or overall survival, though some small studies hint at preventive effects in select high‑risk precancerous conditions. Observational links are likely biased, and metformin may even blunt exercise‑related longevity gains. The takeaway: metformin is not a universal cancer solution; any benefit is likely limited to poorly defined, narrow contexts that require rigorous, targeted trials.

via Peter Attia MD|

#active-surveillance #cancer #health

health2 months ago•7 min saved

Omega-3 Reaches the Brain, but No Cognitive Benefit in Alzheimer’s Risk Trial

A USC-led trial found that high-dose fish oil increases brain DHA levels by about 17% but does not improve memory, cognition, or hippocampal preservation in older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s, indicating omega-3 supplements are not a standalone preventive measure and that benefits may hinge on diet and overall health patterns rather than supplementation alone.

via SciTechDaily|

#alzheimers-disease #dha #fish-oil

psychology2 months ago•4 min saved

Imagery-Based Memory Therapy Eases Fear of Failure

A 180-participant randomized trial found four imagery-based therapies targeting painful childhood memories significantly reduced fear of failure and related distress, with effects lasting at least six months. Imagery Exposure and Imagery Rescripting (including a delayed version) lowered emotional arousal and negative feelings, with surprise/prediction error enhancing ImRs effectiveness, suggesting old memories can be rewritten to ease present-day challenges.

via SciTechDaily|

#childhood-memories #fear-of-failure #imagery-based-therapy

health2 months ago•11 min saved

Atrasentan offers potential long-term kidney protection in IgA nephropathy

Final 2.5-year ALIGN results show atrasentan may slow eGFR decline in IgA nephropathy vs placebo (−7.5 vs −9.9 ml/min/1.73 m2; difference 2.4 ml/min/1.73 m2; P=0.057), with notable benefit in the SGLT2 subgroup; early data showed no acute eGFR loss after starting atrasentan. Overall, atrasentan appears to offer non-immunosuppressive renoprotection, though long-term safety remains to be fully established.

via Nature|

#atrasentan #endothelin-receptor-antagonist #health

health2 months ago•3 min saved

Daily fruit juice or smoothie linked to lower depression in 5-a-day trial

A four-week randomized trial in adults with low fruit/veg intake found that adding a daily glass of 100% fruit juice or a smoothie to a 5-a-day plan increased overall intake and was associated with lower depression scores (2.52 points on a 27-point scale) without adverse metabolic effects; both groups raised fiber intake by about 8–10 g/day, suggesting such simple additions can support mental well-being and diet adequacy.

via SciTechDaily|

#five-a-day #fruit-juice #health

health3 months ago•9 min saved

A Daily Glass of Juice May Boost Mood While Meeting 5-a-Day

In a 4-week randomized trial with 42 adults who started with low fruit/vegetable intake, adding a daily glass of 100% fruit juice or a smoothie to a plan aimed at reaching 5-a-day increased fiber intake by 8–10 g/day and produced a modest, statistically significant reduction in depression scores (2.52 points on a 27-point scale) compared with a control group, with no adverse metabolic effects and no increase in anxiety or gut symptoms. Financial and educational support helped participants meet targets, suggesting a simple, affordable dietary change can support mental wellbeing while improving diet quality.

via Neuroscience News|

#5-a-day #depression #fruit-juice

science3 months ago•31 min saved

Six Months of One Avocado a Day Does Not Boost Cognitive Health in Overweight Adults

A six-month randomized trial with 251 adults who had central obesity found no significant cognitive improvements from eating one avocado daily compared to a control group. Memory, processing speed, and executive function showed no meaningful gains, with any minor improvements likely due to practice effects rather than the avocado. Age did not alter the outcome, suggesting that a single nutrient-dense food is not a quick fix for brain health and that effects may depend on weight status or require broader dietary changes.

via PsyPost|

#avocado #brain-health #cognitive-performance

health3 months ago•3 min saved

Maitake Mushrooms May Sharpen Memory in Older Adults, Study Finds

An 18-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 47 adults aged 60+ found daily intake of maitake mushroom paste (Y10M strain) improved overall MoCA scores and memory, with a rise in natural killer (NK) cell activity that correlated with cognitive gains; a second strain (C5304) showed no such improvement. The results hint at an immune-mediated mechanism linking maitake polysaccharides to cognitive preservation, but the study's small size and variability call for larger trials before changing dietary guidance.

via MycoStories|

#cognition #health #maitake-mushrooms

health3 months ago•6 min saved

Personalized gait tweaks ease knee osteoarthritis pain, study finds

A yearlong randomized trial found that individualized gait retraining—adjusting foot angle by a personalized amount to reduce knee loading—significantly reduced knee pain and slowed cartilage deterioration in medial knee osteoarthritis, with results comparable to pain medications. The six-week training used vibration feedback to help participants maintain their new walking pattern, and after a year participants stayed close to their prescribed angles. While promising, the approach requires specialized gait assessment and is not yet ready for wide clinical use; future delivery could involve wearable sensors or clinic-based PT.

via ScienceDaily|

#biomechanics #foot-progression-angle #gait-retraining

health3 months ago•8 min saved

Peppermint Oil Shows Potential to Lower Mild Hypertension in 20-Day Trial

A 20-day randomized, placebo-controlled study by researchers at the University of Lancashire found that taking 100 microliters of peppermint oil twice daily lowered systolic blood pressure by about 8.5 mmHg in adults with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension, suggesting peppermint oil as a low-cost, well-tolerated option to help manage mild hypertension; the authors call for further research.

via SciTechDaily|

#blood-pressure #health #hypertension

health3 months ago•8 min saved

Align Your Workout With Your Body Clock for Bigger Health Gains

A randomized controlled trial found that scheduling exercise to fit an individual's chronotype—morning types at 8–11am, evening types at 6–9pm—improved blood pressure, aerobic fitness, blood glucose, cholesterol and sleep in people at risk of cardiovascular disease, compared with workouts at the opposite time; even when misaligned, exercise offers benefits, and intermediate chronotypes may be less sensitive to timing. Other factors like afternoon body temperature peaks and sleep pressure also shape performance, so while timing can help, regular activity and good sleep remain fundamental.

via ScienceAlert|

#cardiovascular-health #chronotype #circadian-rhythm