Randomised Controlled Trial
Also written as: RCT — Randomised Controlled Trial
A prospective experimental study design in which participants are allocated by chance to intervention or control groups to evaluate treatment efficacy.
Full Definition
In dental research, the randomised controlled trial (RCT) is the highest-ranking study design for establishing causality between an intervention (e.g., a novel toothpaste, a surgical technique, or an orthodontic device) and a clinical outcome. Randomisation minimises selection bias, while blinding of participants, clinicians, and/or outcome assessors reduces performance and detection bias. Reporting of dental RCTs should conform to the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) checklist and flow diagram. Editors should verify that the manuscript includes allocation concealment details, intention-to-treat analysis specification, and a CONSORT-compliant flow diagram. Note British English spelling: 'randomised' (not 'randomized') in journals using British conventions.
Usage
Usage note: Confirm journal house style for 'randomised' vs 'randomized'. Ensure the CONSORT checklist and flow diagram are cited or submitted as supplementary material. Do not conflate with a crossover trial, which is a specific RCT variant.
In Context
- "This double-blind randomised controlled trial compared the efficacy of chlorhexidine gel and essential-oil mouthwash in reducing plaque index over eight weeks." — Abstract of a dental journal article
- "The authors describe the study as an RCT but provide no description of allocation concealment; this omission must be addressed before acceptance." — Peer-review editorial decision letter