title: Practical aspects of randomization and blinding in randomized clinical trials.
abstract: Randomization and blinding are important tools in determining the effectiveness of a new intervention and ensuring the validity of a clinical trial. However, randomness and haphazardness are not equivalent. Randomization cannot overcome poor experimental design or technique. Several types of randomization including historical controls and pseudorandomization are discussed, as well as methods of treatment allocation, stratification, and minimization techniques. The importance of decreasing bias and the advantages and disadvantages of blinding in randomized clinical trials are also covered.
authors: Orthopaedic Surgical Trial Unit, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, UK.
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Bridgman
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Engebretsen
authors: Katie
authors: K
authors: Dainty
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Kirkley
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Maffulli
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D035061:Control Groups; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D011897:Random Allocation; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method