[The effect of betadrenol on examination anxiety (author's transl)]

The effect of betadrenol on examination anxiety was tested in a double-blind study simulating "examination situations". The sample consisted of 60 normal students. After a test examination without prior treatment, each subject was given a single dose of either 40 or 100 mg betadrenol, or a benzodiazepine derivative at the recommended dosage, or a placebo. The test was repeated one hour later. Heart rate, blood pressure and skin resistance were measured continually throughout the progressively complicated psychological test. The increase in the heart rate was significantly lower in the betadrenol-treated subjects than in those given benzodiazepine or a placebo. The behaviour of the blood pressure was similar. Significant improvements in subjective condition and skin resistance in response to betadrenol were contrasted with deterioration after benzodiazepine, and no change after placebos. Improvement in mental alertness in the betadrenol group differed significantly from that in the benzodiazepine group, and there was also an improving trend in reactions. This shows that betadrenol can subdue examination anxiety. Betadrenol was far more effective than a benzodiazepine derivative in all the parameters tested, including psychophysical performance relating to control of a motor vehicle.