If both the doctors and the participants of a scientific study
know who is receiving a treatment under study and who is
receiving another treatment (or no treatment at all), the
procedure is called an open trial (or open study). The results
have to be taken with a handful of salt: open trials are not at
all reliable. In such studies, it isn't possible to determine
which effects are due to the treatment itself and which are due
to the placebo effect . The main use of open trials is to look
for severe adverse effects of a treatment. For this reason, they
are sometimes called "drug-monitoring studies." Last reviewed
October 2007 by EBSCO CAM Review Board Please be aware that this
information is provided to supplement the care provided by your
physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute
for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified
health provider prior to st