Once-weekly semaglutide versus placebo in patients with alcohol use disorder and comorbid obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Lancet)
Yes, the placebo group shows a huge drop, but this does combine a few elements: First, people who join a study like this are often at a peak in their drinking use and would show a decline even without a placebo. Second, both groups here received CBT therapy to reduce drinking, since giving the placebo group no treatment at all is considered unethical. Third, everyone who joins a trial like this presumably has the intention to reduce drinking and that does a lot itself. Fourth, trials that offer GLP-1s often have people joining who are seeking a way to get a GLP-1 and sometimes they will find a way during the trial. This was partially tested for here but is not possible to fully prevent. And then fifth, the ‘placebo effect’ as it is typically understood.
The effectiveness of the placebo effect always amazes me.
Yes, the placebo group shows a huge drop, but this does combine a few elements: First, people who join a study like this are often at a peak in their drinking use and would show a decline even without a placebo. Second, both groups here received CBT therapy to reduce drinking, since giving the placebo group no treatment at all is considered unethical. Third, everyone who joins a trial like this presumably has the intention to reduce drinking and that does a lot itself. Fourth, trials that offer GLP-1s often have people joining who are seeking a way to get a GLP-1 and sometimes they will find a way during the trial. This was partially tested for here but is not possible to fully prevent. And then fifth, the ‘placebo effect’ as it is typically understood.