An intervention transparently described as inert rather than concealed as an active medication. Trials require an appropriate comparator and must address unblinded reporting, explanatory rationale and duration; an effect for one symptomatic outcome is not a universal disease-modifying benefit.[ref]
Placebos without Deception: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Ted J. Kaptchuk and others. PLoS ONE 5, e15591; 80-patient three-week randomized open-label placebo trial and Limitations
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