title: Choosing a control group in effectiveness trials of behavioral drug abuse treatments.
abstract: Effectiveness trials are an important step in the scientific process of developing and evaluating behavioral treatments. The focus on effectiveness research presents a different set of requirements on the research design when compared with efficacy studies. The choice of a control condition has many implications for a clinical trial's internal and external validity. The purpose of this article was to provide a discussion of the issues involved in choosing a control group for effectiveness trials of behavioral interventions in substance abuse treatment. The authors provide a description of four trial designs and a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of each.
authors: Maryhaven Research Institute, Maryhaven, Columbus, OH 43207, USA. gbrigham@maryhaven.com
authors: Gregory S
authors: GS
authors: Brigham
authors: Daniel J
authors: DJ
authors: Feaster
authors: Paul G
authors: PG
authors: Wakim
authors: Catherine L
authors: CL
authors: Dempsey
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D035061:Control Groups; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D012107:Research Design; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*