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. 2014 Dec 11;2014(12):CD009281. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009281.pub3

Schachtel 1991a.

Methods Single‐centre, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group study
Single oral dose after onset of relatively severe throat pain (> 66 mm on 100 mm VAS).
Duration: 2 h, with assessments at baseline, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes post dose
Participants Acute sore throat, with a score of ≥ 4 on 12‐point tonsillopharyngitis assessment and pain intensity > 66/100 on VAS
Participants at least 18 years of age
N = 210 (207 for efficacy)
M 69, F 138
Mean age 30 years
Interventions Aspirin 800 mg + caffeine 64 mg, n = 70 for efficacy
Aspirin 800 mg, n = 68 for efficacy
Placebo, n = 69 for efficacy
No "cold medication", mood‐altering drugs, or alcohol within 8 h, or caffeine‐containing medication or beverages within 12 h of dosing
Outcomes PI: 100 mm VAS
PR: 6‐point categorical scale (from 'no relief' to 'complete relief')
Withdrawals and dropouts
Notes Oxford Quality Score: R2, DB1, W1. Total = 4/5
Risk of bias
Bias Authors' judgement Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias) Low risk Computer‐generated randomisation code
Allocation concealment (selection bias) Unclear risk Method not described
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) 
 All outcomes Unclear risk Method not described
Size Unclear risk 50 to 200 participants in relevant treatment arms