A Single-Patient, Self-Controlled and Self-Recorded Trial of Wy 3498

Abstract

This paper describes the preliminary clinical testing of a new sedative drug, and also explores the feasibility of using a single-patient, self-controlled and recorded design in psychiatric drug trials. Hogben and Sim (1953) demonstrated a form of drug trial which emphasized intra-subject fluctuations and their control. Recently, Shapiro (1963) has argued the usefulness of a similar approach in fundamental, clinical research. However, the single-patient drug trial appears not to have been widely used in psychiatry, although several writers, e.g. Shepherd (1963), have indicated its possible advantages.