Relationship between treatment preference and weight loss in the context of a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard used to assess the efficacy of treatment. While a well implemented RCT can produce an unbiased estimate of the relative difference between treatment groups, the generalizability of these findings may be limited. Specific threats to the external validity include treatment preference. The purposes of this study were to: (i) assess whether receiving one's treatment preference was associated with weight loss and retention and (ii) whether receiving one's treatment preference modified the relationship between the treatments and weight loss. Treatment preference was assessed in 250 subjects prior to but independent of randomization into either low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets. Treatment preference was a predictor of weight los

SUBMITTER: Borradaile KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3819599 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature