What are placebos and controls?
Not all participants in a clinical trial will receive the same treatment. In order to evaluate how the treatment being studied compares to existing treatments, investigators usually gather data from participants receiving the target treatment and from participants receiving other care. The allocation of treatments is determined by a randomization process that ensures statistical validity. Participants receiving other types of care are in “control” groups. Some control groups may be administered a “placebo,” which is an inactive treatment, such as a sugar pill. Placebos are used to ensure that any effects of receiving the target treatment are not due solely to the experience of receiving care (the positive benefits of medical attention and the psychological advantage of believing a treatment will be effective). Not all clinical trials include placebos; if you are concerned about this possibility, ask the investigator for more information.
