title: [Critical analysis of a parallel group randomized trial].
abstract: Reading a clinical trial must not be limited to examining the result. It is essential to analyze the study methodology, the only guarantee of valid results. Among the standard methodological elements required for clinical trials, the notions of a controlled, randomized, double-blind study are of utmost importance. The results should also be interpreted in light of the main outcome, as well as the selection criteria used to establish the study groups. Finally, the results should be interpreted in terms of their clinical relevance, which is not necessarily implied by statistical significance.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Investigation Clinique, Faculté de Médecine, 2 bis, boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours Cedex. giraudeau@med.univ-tours.fr
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Giraudeau
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D011897:Random Allocation; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*