Efficacy of Bach-flower remedies in test anxiety: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial with partial crossover

Each-flower remedies are a type of alternative medication used increasingly for over-the-counter self-help purposes. We studied the efficacy of a comb ination of Each-flower remedies in subjects with test anxiety in a randomiz ed, placebo-controlled, blinded parallel group design, with crossing over t he placebo group to remedies after the first phase. Anxiety was measured by a standardized, validated test anxiety questionnaire (the German version o f the Test Anxiety Inventory, TAI-G). Fifty-five of 61 subjects with self-r eported test anxiety gave valid data. There was no significant difference b etween the groups, but a significant decrease of test anxiety in all groups was present. We conclude that Bach-flower remedies are an effective placeb o for test anxiety and do not have a specific effect. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sci ence Inc. All rights reserved.