Does random treatment assignment cause harm to research participants?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Some argue that by precluding individualized treatment, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) provide substandard medical care, while others claim that participation in clinical research is associated with improved patient outcomes. However, there are few data to assess the impact of random treatment assignment on RCT participants. We therefore performed a systematic review to quantify the differences in health outcomes between randomized trial participants and eligible non-participants.

Methods and findings

Studies were identified by searching Medline, the Web of Science citation database, and manuscript references. Studies were eligible if they documented baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of RCT participants and eligible non-participants, and allowed no

SUBMITTER: Gross CP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1470665 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature