[Design and application of single case randomized controlled trial]

Abstract

The principle, method, procedure, indicated subject and feasibility of application of single case randomized controlled trial (SCRCT) were reviewed in the article. In randomized controlled trials (RCT), the allocation unit can be a single case (random therapy), multiple cases (random allocation) or group such as family, class or community. Traditional Chinese medicine is good at treatment of chronic disease, Syndrome differentiation, the traits of TCM, requires multiple research methods. SCRCT is suitable for symptomatic treatment of chronic discase due to its convenience in observation, reduce individual divergence and low research cost. SCRCGT is characterized by using randomized method to carry out multiple crossover follow-up, to assess the efficacy of treatment for two therapeutic schemes.