Before a new treatment is approved and put on the market, it must undergo rigorous testing to ensure it is safe and effective. This testing is conducted as part of a clinical study, during which volunteers are given the prospective treatment — under strict guidelines and regulations that the researchers must follow. Besides safety and efficacy, clinical studies help researchers determine how much improvement the treatment offers participants, the proper dose and dosage form, how long the treatment takes to cause an improvement, and much more. Without clinical research, there can be no new treatments. Clinical studies are essential to advance health care.