A pilot trial is a small-scale study conducted before a larger clinical trial to test the feasibility, logistics, and potential effectiveness of the research protocol. Pilot trials are used to identify and address any practical issues that may arise during the main study, such as recruitment challenges, data collection methods, and potential treatment side effects. The results of a pilot trial can help researchers refine their study protocol, determine the appropriate sample size for the main trial, and estimate the potential effect size of the intervention being tested. Overall, pilot trials are an important step in the research process to ensure the successful implementation of larger studies.