Reporting of key methodological issues in placebo-controlled trials of surgery needs improvement: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To examine key methodological considerations for using a placebo intervention in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating invasive procedures, including surgery.

Study design and setting

RCTs comparing an invasive procedure with a placebo were included in this systematic review. Articles published from database inception to December 31, 2017, were retrieved from Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE and CENTRAL electronic databases, by handsearching references and expert knowledge. Data on trial characteristics (clinical area, nature of invasive procedure, number of patients and centers) and key methodological (rationale for using placebos, minimization of risk, information provision, offering the treatment intervention to patients randomized to placebo, delivery of coi

SUBMITTER: Cousins S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7066579 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature