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Summary
The efficacy and side-effect liability of pimozide, diazepam and placebo were compared in a multicentre, double-blind trial. Seventy-five out-patients with psychic and functional disorders in response to environmental conditions completed the trial.
The statistical analysis of the results obtained with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale showed a significant improvement for nearly all items in the three medication groups. Pimozide but not diazepam was significantly superior to placebo when considering the total pathological scores of both the psychic and the somatic symptom clusters. The number of patients with pathological scores for the items anxious mood and tension decreased significantly in all groups, whereas a significant decrease was noted for the items fears and depressive mood only in the pimozide group, and for the item insomnia only in the diazepam group.
Pimozide was also superior to placebo in the evaluation of global improvement. Both pimozide and diazepam were superior to placebo for professional and familial integration.
The incidence of side-effects in the diazepam group but not in the pimozide group was significantly higher than in the placebo group. The results of this study indicate that pimozide, given at a daily dose level of 2 mg., may help patients with reactive anxiety to overcome their problems, and to cope with their professional duties. The present study seems to confirm that neuroleptics may be superior to minor tranquillizers in the treatment of anxiety states precipitated by environmental conditions.