Placebo response in studies of major depression: variable, substantial, and growing

BT Walsh, SN Seidman, R Sysko, M Gould - Jama, 2002 - jamanetwork.com
ContextIntense debate persists about the need for placebo-controlled groups in clinical trials
of medications for major depressive disorder (MDD). There is continuing interest in the
development of new medications, but because effective antidepressants are already
available, ethical concerns have been raised about the need for placebo groups in new
trials. ObjectiveTo determine whether the characteristics of placebo control groups in
antidepressant trials have changed over time. Data Sources and Study SelectionWe …