Some Methodological Considerations for the Clinical Evaluation of Neuroleptics-Comparative Effects of Clozapine and Haloperidol on Schizophrenics

Abstract

A double-blind comparative trial of clozapine and haloperidol was conducted on 91 schizophrenic in-patinets. Treatment was assessed by several psychiatric and behavioral rating scales. After 12 wk of treatment, no significant difference in general improvement rate was noted. A markedly different spectrum of clinical effects was observed according to the rating scales. Clozapine was superior in anti-delusional, contact-promoting and sedative anxiolytic effect, while haloperidol was superior in anti-autistic effect. Extrapyramidal symptoms appeared significantly more severe in the haloperidol group. The frequency of fever was significantly greater in the clozapine group. The 4 dropout cases of the clozapine group were caused by fever. Clinical availability and validity of various statistical analytical methods were reconsidered.