Biomedical subjects

R L Wiesen

Publications and source records attributed to R L Wiesen.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1977

The safety and value of naloxone as a therapeutic aid.

The safety and value of naloxone as a therapeutic aid was demonstrated in a large population of narcotic dependent persons over a two-year period. Naloxone was used to precipitate the narcotic withdrawal syndrome. This withdrawal syndrome was rated according to a previously developed scale. Retrospectively, naloxone rating scores were correlated with the patients' initial dose of methadone. With patients who received 0.8 mg naloxone, good correlation was obtained between the naloxone test score and the optimum methadone dose (mg), as indicated by the patients' physical status during the initial three days of methadone treatment. Three hundred and sixty-three tests were administered to 343 persons and no individuals developed any serious effects such as convulsions, syncope or cardiovascular collapse.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A brief anxiety rating scale in evaluating anxiolytics.

The Wang Anxiety Rating Scale (WARS) was designed to evaluate degrees of anxiety in patients receiving anxiolytic medication. WARS contains 12 pertinent symptoms of anxiety: nervousness, restlessness, excitability, irritability, worrying, disturbed concentration, palpitation, insomnia, hostility, tremors, smoking, and excessive perspiration. Frequently encountered side effects of anxiolytic medications are excluded. The validity of the WARS was determined by correlation with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) in a single-blind study in which 20 chronically anxious patients consecutively received placebo (three days), 15 mg clorazepate dipotassium (two weeks), and 22.5 mg clorazepate dipotassium (two weeks). Both anxiety scales, a side effect scale, and a global assessment were completed at regular intervals (periods 0-6). Results show (1) highly significant correlation (P less than 0.001) between WARS and HARS for periods 1-6; (2) greater correlation between HARS and side effect scale than between WARS and side effect scale; (3) greater correlation between WARS and global assessment than between HARS and global assessment; correlated changes in scores for WARS, HARS, and global assessment demonstrate efficacy of active medication.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A method for evaluating anxiolytic sedatives.

Although anxiolytic sedatives are widely used in clinical practice, the methodology for assessing treatment effect of these compounds has not been well developed. The present double-blind study was designed to refine methodology for evaluating anxiolytics. Choice of rating scale, patient selection, maintenance of the double-blind status, the subjects' environment during the study, and the subjects' understanding of the study are discussed as considerations in reducing sources of variability and bias in the study of anxiolytics. After placebo prescreening, 14 subjects with diagnoses of anxiety recieved 3 to 6 mg lorazepam daily for four weeks, while 14 control subjects received placebo. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and the Wang Anxiety Rating Scale (WARS), with its Anxiolytic Adjunct Scale (AAS), were used to assess changes in anxiety. The Wang and Hamilton ratings correlated well at both comparison periods. Lorazepam demonstrated significant superiority to placebo and produced no serious adverse effects. Anxiolytic efficacy did not differ significantly among the four weekly ratings.

Adult↗