RCTs on Trial: How Placebo Effects Could Undermine Double-blind RCTs

双盲随机安慰剂对照试验（rct）被认为是确定治疗效果的黄金标准。然而，有理论和实证的理由认为，他们没有充分控制安慰剂效应。成本和伦理方面的考虑阻碍了研究人员对患者进行实际的双盲随机对照试验来探索这些问题。为了解决这一差距，本项目使用新颖的实验模型来系统地测试旨在控制安慰剂效应的双盲RCT方法的关键方面。该项目旨在提供有关这些试验有效性的重要数据，从而改善澳大利亚的健康状况，并确保政府的治疗补贴得到充分利用。

Double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard for establishing treatment efficacy. However, there are both theoretical and empirical reasons to believe that they do not adequately control for the placebo effect. Cost and ethical considerations prevent researchers conducting actual double-blind RCTs with patients from exploring these issues. To address this gap, this project uses novel experimental models to systematically test key aspects of the double-blind RCT methodology that are intended to control for the placebo effect. The project aims to provide essential data on the validity of these trials, thereby improving Australia's health and ensuring that Government treatment subsidies are well spent.