Learning Cardiovascular Drugs Pharmacology Related

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When is it not possible to blind a clinical trial using a placebo control group?

  • A. in treatments where a convincing placebo treatment would be too dangerous to be ethically acceptable (e.g. surgery)
  • B. in treatments where the active participation of the patient is necessary (e.g. physical therapy)
  • C. in treatments where the standard placebo may have a deleterious effect on research participants (e.g. for diabetics)
  • D. A and B
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because both A and B scenarios present limitations to blinding with a placebo control group. In scenario A, using a placebo in dangerous treatments like surgery would be unethical due to potential harm. In scenario B, patient participation is crucial, making it difficult to blind the trial. Option C is incorrect as it specifically mentions a standard placebo potentially harming diabetics, which is not a general rule for all clinical trials.