An Extended Minimization Method to Assure Similar Means of Continuous Prognostic Variables between Treatment Groups

Abstract

We propose a new treatment allocation method that assures similar means of continuous prognostic variables between treatment groups in randomized clinical trials. This method is an extension of the minimization method proposed by Pocock and Simon to continuous variables case. There are several measures to be minimized simultaneously, and we make a linear combination comprised of these weighted measures. The sizes of these weights of measures must be determined before implementation of this method. We give some examples to illustrate the achievement of this method and a guideline for the weights.