[Statistical analysis of the activity of loxapine and thioridazine in a double-blind study]

Abstract

49 patients have been treated for 12 weeks with loxapine and thioridazine in a double-blind study. The evaluation was carried out with a covariance analysis with B.P.R.S. and NOSIE as bases and a variance analysis concerning the general clinical improvement. With 36 schizophrenics, the two treatments have shown significant and similar general improvement as early as the second week, and this in particular with all the factors and most of the items of the B.P.R.S. with 13 psychotic not schizophrenic patients, the covariance analysis showed that the results (improvement of all the factors, with most of the items and in the total score of the B.P.R.S.), while comparable, were slightly in favour of loxapine for the item "disorientation", for "disturbance of thought", and "excitement-disorientation", for the final score of B.P.R.S., for the general and clinical improvement and for the alteration of the initial degree of severity. The analysis of the NOSIE showed a significant improvement which is similar for both treatments.