sham

Definition of sham therapy
National Cancer Institute

sham therapy

(...THAYR-uh-pee)
An inactive procedure that is designed to mimic as closely as possible the active procedure being studied in a clinical trial. For example, in sham acupuncture, needles that look and feel like the needles used in active acupuncture therapy are used except the needles are not actually inserted into the skin.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms