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Mediation analyses of randomized controlled trials can be used to investigate the mechanisms by which health interventions cause outcomes. In this article we provide a brief introduction to mediation analysis in the context of randomized controlled trials. We introduce common target effects, causal assumptions, estimation approaches, and illustrate these concepts using a published mediation analysis of the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial. Well-conducted mediation analyses of randomized trials can provide meaningful insights to guide clinical and policy decisions.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.jclinepi.2021.02.014

Type

Journal article

Journal

J clin epidemiol

Publication Date

05/2021

Volume

133

Pages

161 - 164

Keywords

Mechanism, Mediation analysis, Randomised controlled trial