Do double-blind studies explain the nature of what is being tested to the subject? Or is the test done with no explanation of the nature of the test? I assume a subject would want to know what the test is about before volunteering.
Knowing that the only options are to receive the test product or a placebo, wouldn't the subjects anticipation, simply guessing or misinterpreting minor syptoms they might experience, cause a multitude of incorrect results? I understand the double-blind procedure, but how is the subjects belief system which is where the placebo effect occurs, controlled?
2007-03-07 17:25:22 · 3 answers · asked by stedyedy 5 in Health ➔ Other - Health
All the people think they are getting medication; some get sugar pills. They are not told it is a double blind study. The placebo effect might take place in any studies like these.
2007-03-07 17:33:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A double-blind study means neither the evaluator nor the subject know which was given (either the real thing, or the placebo).
Everyone knows the nature.
2007-03-07 17:41:11 · answer #2 · answered by stretch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do not know whether or not they have the placebo, and neither do the clinicians running the study. That is how they control for the beliefs that cause the placebo effect. Everyone is in the same boat, so their beliefs are not affected by whether or not they are recieving the treatment or the placebo.
2007-03-07 17:30:22 · answer #3 · answered by Troy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋