Randomized Controlled Trial

A Randomized Controlled Trial or (RCT) design randomly assigns participants into an experimental group or a control group. A study in which the participants are divided by chance into separate groups that compare different treatments or other interventions. Using chance to divide people into groups means that the groups will be similar and that the effects of the treatments they receive can be compared more fairly. As the study is conducted, the only expected difference between the control and experimental groups in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the outcome variable being studied. At the time of the trial, it is not known which treatment is best.

Advantages

1. Easier to blind/mask than from observational studies
2. Good randomization which washes out any population bias
3. Populations of participating individuals are clearly identified
4. Results can be analyzed with well known statistical tools

Disadvantages

1. Causation not revealed
2. Expensive
3. Loss to follow-up
4. Biases from volunteers as the population participating may not represent the whole

For Answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900