Study proposal
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:02 am
In the film "The Usual Suspects" there is a scene where Kevin Spacey goes through a miraculous transition from a foot-dragging limp to a natural, normal gait. I believe most actors (especially after seeing the film) are capable of this deception, which involves simulating foot-drop.
Would there be anything wrong with a study wherein the doctors themselves were the subjects?
There could be four cohorts. Groups A and B have been diagnosed as having clinically definite "MS'. Group A, composed of persons who have no, or mild, discernible disability. Group B would have definite disability, some with foot drop, some walking with a pronounced limp, some with walkers, some with wheelchairs, some walking slowly and other faster but not normal speed. Group A could have mild cases, or be in remission. Group B would be composed of progressive cases, primary or secondary.
Groups C and D would be composed of actors, pretending to have the same problems as members of groups A and B.
Without being informed of the group membership, neurologists would be asked to assess every subject. All would have been given reports from their diagnoses, and have radiology reports
which document their cases, both real and fake.
CCSVI doctors with Zamboni training would also be asked to assess every subject, with ultrasound and/or MRV and/or venography, but no angioplasty would be given.
The results would show how many of the actors would be given CCSVI diagnoses, and how many actors would have neurology and/or MRI reports that agree with their fake diagnoses. They may also show whether, or how many, symptomatic "MS" patients are assessed as being free of CCSVI, by interventionalists, or in any kind of remission from their "MS", by neurologists.
Other means of maintaining the deception could be used, such as having the actors attend neurological examinations and CCSVI tests, to see what is involved, and how the examinations proceed.
Any MRI testing ordered by neurologists would be really carried out.
Would there be anything wrong with a study wherein the doctors themselves were the subjects?
There could be four cohorts. Groups A and B have been diagnosed as having clinically definite "MS'. Group A, composed of persons who have no, or mild, discernible disability. Group B would have definite disability, some with foot drop, some walking with a pronounced limp, some with walkers, some with wheelchairs, some walking slowly and other faster but not normal speed. Group A could have mild cases, or be in remission. Group B would be composed of progressive cases, primary or secondary.
Groups C and D would be composed of actors, pretending to have the same problems as members of groups A and B.
Without being informed of the group membership, neurologists would be asked to assess every subject. All would have been given reports from their diagnoses, and have radiology reports
which document their cases, both real and fake.
CCSVI doctors with Zamboni training would also be asked to assess every subject, with ultrasound and/or MRV and/or venography, but no angioplasty would be given.
The results would show how many of the actors would be given CCSVI diagnoses, and how many actors would have neurology and/or MRI reports that agree with their fake diagnoses. They may also show whether, or how many, symptomatic "MS" patients are assessed as being free of CCSVI, by interventionalists, or in any kind of remission from their "MS", by neurologists.
Other means of maintaining the deception could be used, such as having the actors attend neurological examinations and CCSVI tests, to see what is involved, and how the examinations proceed.
Any MRI testing ordered by neurologists would be really carried out.