Researchers at an academic medical center performed a clinical trial to study the effectiveness of a new medication to lower blood sugar. Diabetic patients were assigned at random to treatment and control conditions. Patients in both groups received counseling regarding exercise and weight loss. Among the sample of 200 treatment patients, 60% were found to have normal fasting blood glucose levels at follow-up. Among an equal number of controls, only 15% had normal fasting blood glucose levels at follow-up. Demonstrate that the new medication was effective in treating hyperglycemia.