Double-Blind Study
Definition
A clinical trial design where neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving the active drug versus placebo. Double-blinding prevents both patient expectations and researcher bias from influencing the results.
Example
In a double-blind antidepressant trial, identical-looking pills are used so that neither patients nor doctors can distinguish the active drug from the placebo.
Related Terms
Mentioned in Guides
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Clinical Trials: Phases I Through IVA comprehensive guide to the four phases of clinical trials — what questions each phase answers, how participants are protected, …
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The Placebo Effect in Drug TestingThe placebo effect is one of the most fascinating phenomena in medicine — and one of the most important factors …