A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a Bach Flower Remedy

The aim of this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to i nvestigate the efficacy of "Five Flower Remedy"(R) also known as Rescue Rem edy(R), for examination anxiety in healthy university students. One hundred university students were recruited. They were registered at the University of Exeter, aged between 18 to 65 years, and enrolled to undertake universi ty examinations between May to July 1998. Participants were randomised to t ake one to four doses of either "Five Flower Remedy" or indistinguishable p lacebo during day 1 to 7 of the experiment. Self-reported anxiety was quant ified using the 40-item Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) as the primary outcome measure. Visual analogue scales were used as the secon dary outcome measure to allow the determination of daily anxiety scores. 45 % of volunteers completed the study (21 subjects in the experimental and 24 in the placebo group). Reporting of anxiety, as measured by the state comp onent of the STAI at enrolment, was not found to differ between verum and p lacebo and no gender differences were noted. However, self-reports of trait anxiety were found to be lower in men compared to women at enrolment. Eigh t days before examination, men reported significantly lower levels of state anxiety but no significant differences were subsequently identified the ev ening before the examination. No significant differences were identified be tween or within groups for mean values of the daily VAS scores or indeed th e linear contrast variable constructed to determine any trends associated w ith the weekly VAS reports. It is concluded that "Five Flower Remedy" had n o specific effects in treating anxiety under these trial conditions.