How "blind" are double-blind studies? Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Psychopharmacological studies usually attempt to eliminate "nonspecific" influences on outcome by double-blind designs. In a randomized, double-blind comparison of alprazolam, imipramine, and placebo, the great majority of panic disorder patients (N = 59) and their physicians were able to rate accurately whether active drug or placebo had been given. Moreover, physicians could distinguish between the two types of active drugs. Inasmuch as correct rating was possible halfway through treatment, concerns about the internal validity of the double-blind strategy arise.

publication date

  • February 1, 1991

Research

keywords

  • Double-Blind Method

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0026016769

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1037//0022-006x.59.1.184

PubMed ID

  • 2002136

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 59

issue

  • 1