An Easily Accessible Web-Based Minimization Random Allocation System for Clinical Trials

BackgroundMinimization as an adaptive allocation technique has been recommended in the literature for use in randomized clinical trials. However, it remains uncommonly used due in part to a lack of easily accessible implementation tools. ObjectiveTo provide clinic...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiao, Lan, Huang, Qiwen, Yank, Veronica, Ma, Jun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2013-07-01
Series:Journal of Medical Internet Research
Online Access:http://www.jmir.org/2013/7/e139/
id doaj-c205b49f5ae249bf8121a5d2fef8c40f
record_format Article
spelling doaj-c205b49f5ae249bf8121a5d2fef8c40f2021-04-02T21:35:57ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712013-07-01157e13910.2196/jmir.2392An Easily Accessible Web-Based Minimization Random Allocation System for Clinical TrialsXiao, LanHuang, QiwenYank, VeronicaMa, Jun BackgroundMinimization as an adaptive allocation technique has been recommended in the literature for use in randomized clinical trials. However, it remains uncommonly used due in part to a lack of easily accessible implementation tools. ObjectiveTo provide clinical trialists with a robust, flexible, and readily accessible tool for implementing covariate-adaptive biased-coin randomization. MethodsWe developed a Web-based random allocation system, MinimRan, that applies Pocock–Simon (for trials with 2 or more arms) and 2-way (currently limited to 2-arm trials) minimization methods for trials using only categorical prognostic factors or the symmetric Kullback–Leibler divergence minimization method for trials (currently limited to 2-arm trials) using continuous prognostic factors with or without categorical factors, in covariate-adaptive biased-coin randomization. ResultsIn this paper, we describe the system’s essential statistical and computer programming features and provide as an example the randomization results generated by it in a recently completed trial. The system can be used in single- and double-blind trials as well as single-center and multicenter trials. ConclusionsWe expect the system to facilitate the translation of the 3 validated random allocation methods into broad, efficient clinical research practice.http://www.jmir.org/2013/7/e139/
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Xiao, Lan
Huang, Qiwen
Yank, Veronica
Ma, Jun
spellingShingle Xiao, Lan
Huang, Qiwen
Yank, Veronica
Ma, Jun
An Easily Accessible Web-Based Minimization Random Allocation System for Clinical Trials
Journal of Medical Internet Research
author_facet Xiao, Lan
Huang, Qiwen
Yank, Veronica
Ma, Jun
author_sort Xiao, Lan
title An Easily Accessible Web-Based Minimization Random Allocation System for Clinical Trials
title_short An Easily Accessible Web-Based Minimization Random Allocation System for Clinical Trials
title_full An Easily Accessible Web-Based Minimization Random Allocation System for Clinical Trials
title_fullStr An Easily Accessible Web-Based Minimization Random Allocation System for Clinical Trials
title_full_unstemmed An Easily Accessible Web-Based Minimization Random Allocation System for Clinical Trials
title_sort easily accessible web-based minimization random allocation system for clinical trials
publisher JMIR Publications
series Journal of Medical Internet Research
issn 1438-8871
publishDate 2013-07-01
description BackgroundMinimization as an adaptive allocation technique has been recommended in the literature for use in randomized clinical trials. However, it remains uncommonly used due in part to a lack of easily accessible implementation tools. ObjectiveTo provide clinical trialists with a robust, flexible, and readily accessible tool for implementing covariate-adaptive biased-coin randomization. MethodsWe developed a Web-based random allocation system, MinimRan, that applies Pocock–Simon (for trials with 2 or more arms) and 2-way (currently limited to 2-arm trials) minimization methods for trials using only categorical prognostic factors or the symmetric Kullback–Leibler divergence minimization method for trials (currently limited to 2-arm trials) using continuous prognostic factors with or without categorical factors, in covariate-adaptive biased-coin randomization. ResultsIn this paper, we describe the system’s essential statistical and computer programming features and provide as an example the randomization results generated by it in a recently completed trial. The system can be used in single- and double-blind trials as well as single-center and multicenter trials. ConclusionsWe expect the system to facilitate the translation of the 3 validated random allocation methods into broad, efficient clinical research practice.
url http://www.jmir.org/2013/7/e139/
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaolan aneasilyaccessiblewebbasedminimizationrandomallocationsystemforclinicaltrials
AT huangqiwen aneasilyaccessiblewebbasedminimizationrandomallocationsystemforclinicaltrials
AT yankveronica aneasilyaccessiblewebbasedminimizationrandomallocationsystemforclinicaltrials
AT majun aneasilyaccessiblewebbasedminimizationrandomallocationsystemforclinicaltrials
AT xiaolan easilyaccessiblewebbasedminimizationrandomallocationsystemforclinicaltrials
AT huangqiwen easilyaccessiblewebbasedminimizationrandomallocationsystemforclinicaltrials
AT yankveronica easilyaccessiblewebbasedminimizationrandomallocationsystemforclinicaltrials
AT majun easilyaccessiblewebbasedminimizationrandomallocationsystemforclinicaltrials
_version_ 1721545103149891584