Getting the Facts Straight About Placebos in Clinical Trials
A lot of people think all clinical trials include a placebo. But, they are wrong. A placebo is an inactive pill, liquid, or powder that has no treatment value. Obviously, a cancer patient who needs treatment would not be given a placebo.
However, the goal of some trials is to learn whether additional treatment would improve the outcome. In these trials, some of the participants may take a placebo while others take additional treatment. All patients are always made aware that they might get the placebo. But, all patients are still getting some kind of treatment.
Here’s the potential advantage for the placebo group. They may avoid the toxicity of additional treatment. And that treatment may or may not offer a better outcome.