Journal of Mental Science (1956) 102: 790-795. doi: 10.1192/bjp.102.429.790
© 1956 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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A Research Method to Assess a New Tranquillizing Drug

J. G. Thorpe, Ph.D., Research Psychologist and A. A. Baker, M.D., Deputy Physician Superintendent

Banstead Hospital, Sutton, Surrey

ABSTRACT

The present study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of Pacatal in the treatment of deteriorated psychotic patients by comparing it with (i) a better known drug (Largactil), (ii)a placebo, and (iii) no treatment. The experiment was designed in such a way that the results could be analysed by Analysis of Covariance. The main experiment was duplicated in each of three wards in order to obtain as high a precision as possible. The results point to the general inferiority of Pacatal to Largactil except in the reduction of tension when the two drugs are equally efficient, and in the absence of the side effects so frequently found in patients receiving Largactil.