tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116478946778818081.post5408899828438003845..comments2023-08-06T00:55:44.689-04:00Comments on Kevin's Walk: what we look forward to this weekKevin Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01328790917314282058noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116478946778818081.post-69042984502537700182009-09-05T04:33:13.264-04:002009-09-05T04:33:13.264-04:00Donut,
The Wikipedia article makes an interesting...Donut,<br /><br />The Wikipedia article makes an interesting point: many studies will compare a new technique with the current standard of care instead of using "virgin" control groups. This makes sense for people with, say, GBM: it would probably be considered unethical for the control group to be composed of people whose cancer is allowed to grow unchecked.<br /><br /><br />KevinKevin Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01328790917314282058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116478946778818081.post-75042489927245286602009-09-05T04:27:54.316-04:002009-09-05T04:27:54.316-04:00I see your point: in trials with control groups, ...I see your point: in trials with control groups, the patient can't know whether s/he is part of that group-- otherwise, results might be skewed and the placebo effect will be harder to detect. Which leads to the question of whether there are, in fact, trials in which all the recipients of the new treatment do, in fact, receive that treatment.<br /><br />I suspect the answer lies in the concepts of "Phase 1," "Phase 2," etc. clinical trials-- as a treatment method's reliability is proven in phase after phase, the need for a "virgin" control group may decrease. I'm not sure. I'll look into it. Perhaps I "spoke" too soon.<br /><br />Ah-- according to Wikipedia, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_trial" rel="nofollow">clinical trials come in all shapes and sizes</a>. One type is the "compassionate use" trial, which is for patients who have failed to respond to regular treatments. I need to read the article more thoroughly (and research clinical trials elsewhere), but from what I gather, it's at least conceivable that not all clinical trials require "virgin" control groups.Kevin Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01328790917314282058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116478946778818081.post-38292705984851012009-09-05T02:08:10.590-04:002009-09-05T02:08:10.590-04:00kev, in clinical trials is it allowed to stipulate...kev, in clinical trials is it allowed to stipulate that you wont enter unless you are not a part of the control group? or are there clinical trials where there are no control groups?<br /><br />stay strong and hang in there. -hmelancholy donuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09730883153198811144noreply@blogger.com