One of the fundamentals of clinical research is the ‘blind’ bit of the double-blind placebo controlled trial. If neither the researcher nor the participant know whether they’re getting placebo or the drug, it removes the chances that they’re unconsciously  responding in the way they think they should. 

The placebo effect can account for up to 30% of a difference, so it has to be dealt with.

But if you’re trialling a therapy where the patient will know what’s going on - like exercise for rehab, for example - it can’t be blind. So how do you get round that?

We spoke to clinical research  physiotherapist Paul Matthews about the challenges he faced when he was studying exercise as part of rehab for broken ankles.

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