Treatment allocation by minimisation

Interventions for cognitive deficits in patients with a brain tumor: an update

“…For relatively small trials, this method has proven to provide more balanced groups when compared with both restricted (stratified) and unrestricted (simple) randomization, and is able to incorporate more prognostic factors [64]. Disadvantages of the method are that assignment can be predictable, that statistical testing assumptions of randomized allocation may be compromised due to the 'pseudorandom' allocation adopted, and that it is organizationally more complex [64,65]. However, these disadvantages are also true of other allocation methods such as stratification and, for some, adjustments can be made [64].…”

Effectiveness of an integrated care intervention on supervisor support and work functioning of workers with rheumatoid arthritis

“…[22] Minimization allows pre-stratification by several prognostic factors, even in small samples. [23,24] Due to the character of the intervention, patients, therapists and researchers could not be blinded to the allocated treatment after randomization. The sample size was calculated according to the number of patients needed to show an effect on at-work productivity loss, expressed as hours lost from work due to presenteeism, measured with the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ).…”

Dose-related effects of flavanol-rich cocoa on blood pressure

“…Participants were block-matched by the minimisation convention [19] on BP, gender, age and BMI into four treatment groups which were randomised to consume reconstituted cocoa beverages containing 33, 372, 712 or 1052 mg/d of CF for 6 weeks in a double-blind, parallel comparison.…”