Implementation and experience of a web-based allocation system with Pocock and Simon's minimization methods.
Minimization is a type of dynamic randomization method that is recommended for use in clinical trials. However, partly due to its organizational complexity in implementation, the utilization of minimization is seldom reported. We developed a centralized random allocation system named "MagMin" using Pocock and Simon's minimization methods, which has been in use since 2006. To date, 5 clinical trials have been randomized using this system, and the other 17 clinical trials are still running on this system. An example is introduced in this paper to describe the implementation of this system. Problems and countermeasures are also discussed.
Cai
Hong Wei
HW
Information Center, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, 145 Changle West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China. hwcai@fmmu.edu.cn
Xia
Jie Lai
JL
Gao
Dong Huai
DH
Cao
Xiao Man
XM
D000465:Algorithms; D016494:Computer Security; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D018579:Patient Selection; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D035842:Research Subjects; D012984:Software