What is the risk of sham surgery in Parkinson disease clinical trials? A review of published reports.

Frank, Samuel; Kieburtz, Karl; Holloway, Robert; Kim, Scott Y H · Neurology · 2005

review · Level V

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Abstract

Placebo, or sham surgery, as a control condition in surgical clinical trials in Parkinson disease (PD) remains controversial. The authors reviewed the adverse effects reported in double blind, placebo surgery controlled trials for PD. Placebo surgeries were generally safe and well tolerated but the number of subjects receiving the procedure was small. Harm occurred more frequently in subjects randomized to the experimental intervention.

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