Controlled trials

A controlled trial is a research study designed to test the effectiveness of a new treatment or intervention. Participants are randomly divided into at least two groups: one receives the new treatment, while the other (the control group) either gets no treatment, a placebo, or the current standard treatment. This setup helps researchers compare outcomes between groups to determine if the new intervention is truly effective. Controlled trials are carefully planned to minimize bias, ensuring that the results are reliable and can be used to make informed healthcare decisions.