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Adventurous_Home_153 t1_j9vlfhj wrote

Reply to comment by fastspinecho in What are the best alternatives to a double-blind RCT if blinding is impossible: example you cannot have a double-blind RCT to test the effectiveness of masks against covid. What is the best way to test if masks, as worn in real life, are effective? by DenebianSlimeMolds

Could you elaborate on that? Why isn't sham surgery a valid control group for a new surgical treatment?

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fastspinecho t1_j9vy7o2 wrote

Scientifically, it's valid. But IRBs are less tolerant than ever when it comes to unnecessary harm to volunteers. And sham surgery usually means unnecessary harm to volunteers.

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