Measuring the success of blinding in placebo-controlled trials: Should we be so quick to dismiss it?

Webster RK., Bishop F., Collins GS., Evers AWM., Hoffmann T., Knottnerus JA., Lamb SE., Macdonald H., Madigan C., Napadow V., Price A., Rees JL., Howick J.

'Blinding' involves concealing knowledge of which trial participants received the interventions from participants themselves and other trial personnel throughout the trial. Blinding reduces bias arising from the beliefs and expectations of these groups. It is agreed that where possible, blinding should be attempted, for example by ensuring that experimental and control treatments look the same. However, there is a debate about if we should measure whether blinding has been successful, this manuscript will discuss this controversy, including the benefits and risks of measuring blinding within the randomised controlled trial.

DOI

10.1016/j.jclinepi.2021.02.022

Type

Journal article

Journal

J clin epidemiol

Publication Date

07/2021

Volume

135

Pages

176 - 181

Keywords

Blinding, Masking, Measuring, Reporting guidelines, Trials, Clinical Trials as Topic, Double-Blind Method, Humans, Placebo Effect, Placebos, Research Design, Single-Blind Method

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