[Efficacy of a non blind placebo prescription]

The aim of our open clinical trial was to determine the efficacy and the tolerance of a blue coloured placebo in moderated anxious patients (Hamilton score below 15) and a red one for tired patients without DSM IV criteria of major depressive disorder. All the patients knew that treatment was a placebo and so, had no pharmacological effect. The trial run over seven days. All patients were considered as responders if their initial symptoms were reduced more than 50%. At the end of the week, the final clinical evaluation showed that 18 patients about 34 were in good condition (10 anxious patients, 7 women and 3 men, and 8 tired patients, 4 women and 4 men). The anxious score of Hamilton scale was reduced of 63%; 16 of the 18 responders were absolutely sure that the treatment was usefull. Four patients were obliged to stop their treatment because side effects: insomnia, tiredness and sleepiness, gastric pain and itching of fore arm.