Placebo control

A placebo control is a method used in research to test the effectiveness of a new treatment. Participants are divided into two groups: one receives the actual treatment, and the other receives a placebo—an harmless substance or procedure without active ingredients. This helps researchers determine whether improvements are due to the treatment itself or simply people's belief that they are receiving help. By comparing outcomes between the two groups, scientists can better assess true effectiveness and minimize the influence of psychological factors like expectations.