Which imputation approach is most often used to estimate outcomes in a randomized clinical trial?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most common imputation approach used in randomized clinical trials is Last Observation Carried Forward (LOCF) because it is simple and straightforward. LOCF imputes missing values by carrying forward the last observed value of the outcome variable for each participant. However, LOCF has been criticized for potentially inflating treatment effects and underestimating the standard error of estimates. Other imputation approaches such as regression imputation, multiple imputation, or mixed models may provide more accurate estimates, but they are more complex and require additional assumptions. Mean substitution or worst-case imputation are not recommended as they may introduce bias and distort the true relationship between the outcome and the covariates.

Which Imputation Approach Is Most Often Used to Estimate Outcomes