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Medical research is purported to be based on randomized controlled trials. However, there is another approach that is called "outcome" research.        

  The results of a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial re-opened debate on whether it is ethical to conduct placebo-controlled studies because it puts those in the placebo group at the disadvantage of not being in the treatment arm. One could make the point that placebo is not really necessary because all that needs to be done is to see if patients...

Acupuncture has been touted to help stroke victims, but a study was done showing that it doesn't work. The study suffered from selection bias. Placebo effect is discussed. Getting better should be the bottom line, not whether or not the beneficial effect is placebo.