For example: topical acne medicine on one side of the face and not the other to test it
2007-08-20 03:08:58 · 3 answers · asked by jam 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
In a study designed with a crossover pattern each subject could be a control and a study subject at different times in the study. For instance, the controls in the first half of the study would be the study group in the second half and vice versa.
The problem with your acne analogy would be that it is not a randomized study and it is subject to bias in the sense that the subject is likely to make a decision regarding which side of his /her face is getting the effective treatment and begin applying it to both sides.
2007-08-20 06:39:00 · answer #1 · answered by Vinay K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strictly speaking no since randomized clinical trials allocate people (not people's parts) randomly either to receive or not to receive a particular treatment. But I think it would be good idea as it would eliminate variables that each subject presents.
2007-08-20 03:46:23 · answer #2 · answered by Andy Roberts 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you participate in a clinical trial, they will not reveal to you if you are a control or a subject.
2007-08-20 14:32:18 · answer #3 · answered by kenneth h 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋