US Medical Term · clinical
Randomized Controlled Trial
Ensayo Controlado Aleatorizado
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Randomized Controlled Trial |
| Spanish (Español) | Ensayo Controlado Aleatorizado |
| Chinese (中文) | 随机对照试验 |
| Korean (한국어) | 무작위 대조 시험 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Thử nghiệm Có kiểm soát Ngẫu nhiên |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Randomized Controlled Trial |
| Portuguese (Português) | Ensaio Clínico Controlado Randomizado |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การทดลองแบบสุ่มและมีการควบคุม |
| Japanese (日本語) | 無作為化比較試験 |
What it means
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the gold-standard method for testing whether a new treatment works. Participants are randomly assigned—by chance, like a coin flip—to either the treatment group or the control group receiving standard care or a placebo. Random assignment eliminates selection bias and makes groups comparable. An RCT may also be 'blinded,' meaning participants, researchers, or both do not know who received which treatment. The FDA requires evidence from RCTs to approve most new drugs. As a participant, knowing your trial's design helps you understand what is already established about the treatment.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
RAN-dum-ized kun-TROLD TRY-ul
ensayo controlado aleatorizado
Abbreviated as RCT; in Spanish also abbreviated ECA
Abreviado como ECA (ensayo clínico aleatorizado)
Researchers say: 'The RCT showed statistically significant results'
'El ECA mostró resultados estadísticamente significativos'
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026