Clinical Trial Finds No Advantage of Unproven Stroke Treatment Over Placebo

A comprehensive international clinical trial has demonstrated that the so-called "perispinal" etanercept, a treatment previously promoted for stroke recovery, offers no greater benefit than a placebo. This injectable drug, administered into the spinal area and often associated with false hopes of recovery, was tested to verify its effectiveness. Despite the enthusiasm of some stroke survivors, including Australians who traveled abroad for this treatment, scientific evidence has shown that it does not improve patient outcomes.

The trial, led by Professor Vincent Thijs at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, involved 126 stroke survivors from Australia and New Zealand. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the actual treatment or a dummy placebo in a double-blind setup to prevent bias. The study assessed neurological improvements 28 days post-treatment, with both groups showing similar results—52% of those who received the drug reported improvements compared to 57% in the placebo group. Crucially, there were no adverse side effects in either group.

Many stroke survivors have sought out this treatment at private clinics, convinced of its potential as a "miracle cure". The procedure involves injecting etanercept into the cervical spinal cord and tilting the patient's head downward, based on the belief that this enhances drug entry into the brain. However, the rigorous scientific evaluation found no evidence to support these claims. The results underscore the importance of evidence-based medicine and the role of high-quality clinical trials in validating treatment efficacy.

Professor Thijs emphasized that the positive perceptions among some patients might be attributed to the placebo effect—a phenomenon where patients experience perceived improvements despite receiving an inactive treatment. The trial's findings reinforce that effective stroke management must rely on scientifically validated interventions.

Stroke remains a leading cause of disability worldwide, impacting over 7 million people annually. While advancements have been made, effective treatments for post-stroke impairment are still limited. The Stroke Foundation in Australia advocates for continued research funding tied to rigorous clinical trials to discover and validate new treatments, ensuring patients receive care backed by solid scientific evidence.