FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

Multicenter:

More than one research site is participating in the study.

International:

Sites from countries outside of the US are also participating.

Double-blind:

Neither the research site nor the participant know what treatment the patient is receiving (there are methods of "unblinding" if medically necessary).

Randomized:

The treatment group the patient is assigned to is done randomly, like tossing a coin.

Placebo Controlled:

One treatment group consists of placebo, an inactive substance.

Crossover Design:

Patients will be changed from one treatment to another during the study as part of the study design.

Sponsor:

The company or agency of the US government (such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH)) that provides funding for the study.