Randomized Controlled Trial

Back Clinic Randomized Controlled Trial Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Team. A study in which the participants are divided by chance into separate groups that compare different treatments or other interventions. Using the 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.

At the time of the trial, it is not known which treatment is best. A Randomized Controlled Trial or (RCT) design randomly assigns participants into an experimental group or a control group. As the study is conducted, the only expected difference from the control and experimental groups in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the outcome variable being studied.

Advantages

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

Disadvantages

• Does not reveal causation
• Expensive in time and money
• Loss to follow-up attributed to treatment
• Volunteer biases: the population that participates may not be representative of the whole

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