Allocation Concealment Section
CONSORT 2025 distinguishes allocation-sequence concealment from sequence generation and from blinding, because concealment protects upcoming assignments before participants are enrolled or assigned. Allocation concealment is relevant to randomized allocation procedures. Nonrandomized studies should not use this heading as if a concealed random sequence existed.
An Allocation Concealment section explains how the upcoming random assignment was kept unavailable to people enrolling or assigning participants until assignment occurred.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Allocation concealment is relevant to randomized allocation procedures. Nonrandomized studies should not use this heading as if a concealed random sequence existed.
Further guidance
Content
Keep concealment separate from random sequence generation and from blinding after assignment: these safeguards address different stages of a randomized trial.
Purpose
Describe the mechanism used to prevent foreknowledge of upcoming assignments and who controlled or accessed the sequence during enrollment.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- CONSORT 2025 statement: updated guideline for reporting randomised trials (opens in a new tab)BMJ / CONSORT Group · Primary 2025 CONSORT reporting guideline for randomized trials, including participant flow and trial-registration information.