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Failure-mode index

Search what already failed

A searchable index of real negative results, null findings, and replication failures from the published literature — so you can learn what didn't work before repeating it.

WASTE indexes published research — it does not host or republish full papers. Each entry is a metadata record (title, authors, DOI) compiled from open scholarly databases, with the abstract shown in full only where the paper is openly licensed (e.g. Creative Commons); otherwise a short excerpt is shown for reference under fair use. WASTE classifies each work by failure type; classifications are automated and approximate.

459 results in Negative / Null Result Report for "randomized controlled trial" · page 13 of 16

Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessMedicine

Efficacy of invasive laser acupuncture in treating chronic non-specific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial.

Jae-Hong Kim, Chang-Su Na, Myoung-Rae Cho et al. · 2022 · PLoS ONE

This study aimed to provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy of invasive laser acupuncture (ILA) for chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). This was a single-center, randomized, patient and assessor-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm, clinical trial with a 1:1:1 allocation ratio that included a full analysis set. Forty-five participants with CNLBP were randomly assigned to the control group (sham laser), 650 group (650 nm-wavelength ILA), or 830 group (830 nm-wavelength ILA) (n = 15/group). All participants received ILA for 10 min, followed by electroacupuncture for 10 min on

View details →DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269282
Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessMedicine (General)

Improved recording of work relatedness during patient consultations in occupational primary health care: a cluster randomized controlled trial using routine data

Salla Atkins, Tiia Reho, Nina Talola et al. · 2020 · Trials

Abstract Background Prolonging working careers is a key policy goal in ageing populations in Europe, but reaching this goal is complex. Occupational health services are in the best position to contribute towards prolonging working careers through preventing illnesses that cause work disability and early retirement. However, impacting on the trajectory between illness and work disability requires continuity of care and follow up, enabled through identifying patients at risk. We aimed to determine whether a combined educational and electronic reminder system in occupational health care could imp

View details →DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-4168-8
Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessMedicine (General)

Evaluating the effectiveness and adverse effects of oral versus transdermal estradiol for endometrial preparation in frozen-thawed embryo transfer: a randomized controlled trial

Thuy Thi-Thanh Tran, Huy Phuong Tran, Loc Thai Ly et al. · 2024 · Middle East Fertility Society Journal

Abstract Background Endometrial preparation significantly influences the success of embryo transfer procedures. Although both oral and transdermal estradiol are common methods for endometrial priming, their efficacy and potential side effects remain uncertain. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of oral and transdermal estradiol in endometrial preparation, while also evaluating their respective side effects in patients undergoing assisted reproduction treatments. Method This randomized clinical trial (ISRCTN15301227) was conducted at Hung Vuong Hospital between J

View details →DOI: 10.1186/s43043-024-00204-7
Negative / Null Result ReportMedicine

Valve Underexpansion and Clinical Outcomes With ACURATE neo2: Findings From the ACURATE IDE Trial.

Makkar RR, Chakravarty T, Gupta A et al. · 2025 · Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Background In the ACURATE IDE (Safety and Effectiveness Study of ACURATE Valve for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) randomized controlled trial, ACURATE neo2 failed to show noninferiority to commercially available balloon-expandable…

View details →DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2025.05.011
Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessDiseases of the endocrine glands. Clinical endocrinology

Revisiting the Role of Vitamin D in Fracture Prevention in the Era of Mega-Trials

Sung Hye Kong · 2026 · Endocrinology and Metabolism

For decades, vitamin D has been a cornerstone of preventive medicine. However, recent large-scale randomized controlled trials have failed to replicate the broad benefits previously observed in epidemiological studies, particularly with respect to fracture and fall prevention in vitamin D-replete populations. Moreover, growing evidence suggesting an increased fall risk associated with high-dose bolus administration has necessitated a re-evaluation of safety assumptions. This review synthesizes these discordant findings to propose a framework grounded in precision medicine. We explore the ‘dive

View details →DOI: 10.3803/enm.2026.2938
Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessDiseases of the circulatory (Cardiovascular) system

Patent Foramen Ovale and Stroke–Current Status

Oh Young Bang, Mi Ji Lee, Sookyung Ryoo et al. · 2015 · Journal of Stroke

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is growing in clinical interest because of a renewed focus on embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), the PFO attributable fraction (the 10-point Risk of Paradoxical Embolism score), technical advances in PFO diagnosis, and the emergence of endovascular device closure as a treatment option. However, recent randomized controlled trials of the management of patients with ESUS and PFO failed to demonstrate the superiority of closure over medical treatment. The mechanisms of stroke other than paradoxical embolism may be important in patients with ESUS and PFO. This

View details →DOI: 10.5853/jos.2015.17.3.229
Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessMedicine

Induction chemotherapy plus chemoradiotherapy in esophageal cancer: long-term results and exploratory analyses of a randomized controlled trial.

Liu S, Chen B, Zhu Y et al. · 2025 · The oncologist

Background Previous results of our trial demonstrated that the addition of induction chemotherapy (IC) prior to definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) failed to significantly improve the response rate or 3-year survival in patients with…

View details →DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyae295
Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessMedicine

Endovascular Treatment for Medium and Distal Vessel Occlusion Stroke: Are We Missing the Point?

Murillo-Olaizola A, Rodrigo-Gisbert M, Requena M et al. · 2026 · Stroke (Hoboken, N.J.)

Background Recent randomized controlled trials of endovascular treatment (EVT) for distal and medium vessel occlusion (DMVO) stroke did not demonstrate clinical benefit over best medical therapy and suggested potential safety concerns. We…

View details →DOI: 10.1161/svin.125.002137
Negative / Null Result ReportMedicine

Natural Course of Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults with Coronary Artery Disease in the RICCADSA Cohort.

Peker Y, Saygin M, Celik Y et al. · 2026 · Annals of the American Thoracic Society

Rationale Recent randomized controlled trials failed to show cardiovascular benefits of treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in intention-to-treat analyses which has been a matter of debate since publication of the results. Objectives To…

View details →DOI: 10.1093/annalsats/aaoag072
Negative / Null Result ReportMedicine

Perfusion-bypass recipient mismatch as a potential risk factor for perioperative ischemic stroke following single-barrel STA-MCA bypass for symptomatic atherosclerotic carotid occlusive disease.

Gaub M, Shaffer KV, Patel P et al. · 2026 · Clinical neurology and neurosurgery

Objective EC-IC bypass for symptomatic atherosclerotic internal carotid and middle cerebral artery chronic occlusion (AIMCAO) failed to show benefit over medical management in previous randomized controlled trials. We explored how a…

View details →DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2026.109417
Negative / Null Result ReportMedicine

Long-Term Maintenance of Normal Serum Vitamin B 1 Levels Is Associated with Better Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure.

Morimoto J, Satogami K, Naraoka T et al. · 2024 · International heart journal

Deficiency of vitamin B 1 (VB1), an essential micronutrient, causes heart failure (HF). A recent randomized controlled trial failed to show any improvement in HF prognosis after short-term VB1 supplementation. In the current study, we…

View details →DOI: 10.1536/ihj.23-550
Negative / Null Result ReportMedicine

Passive Mobilization With Place-and-Hold Versus Active Mobilization Therapy After Flexor Tendon Repair: 5-Year Minimum Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Chevalley S, Wängberg V, Åhlén M et al. · 2024 · The Journal of hand surgery

Purpose There is no consensus on the optimal postoperative rehabilitation program following flexor tendon repair. Some studies suggest a faster recovery after active mobilization, whereas other studies have failed to find any differences…

View details →DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2024.08.011
Negative / Null Result ReportMedicine

Measuring individual colony MICs is a more sensitive method to detect the effect of antimicrobials on antimicrobial susceptibility than the proportion of colonies resistant.

Ledesma V, Vanbaelen T, Gestels Z et al. · 2024 · FEMS microbiology letters

The ResistAZM randomized controlled trial found that the receipt of ceftriaxone/azithromycin, compared to ceftriaxone was not associated with an increase in the proportion of oral commensal Neisseria spp. and streptococci with azithromycin…

View details →DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnae104
Negative / Null Result ReportMedicine

Apolipoprotein L1 Genetic Testing and Counseling Does Not Reduce Living Kidney Donors' Willingness to Donate : A Hybrid Type 2 Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

Gordon EJ, Gacki-Smith J, Smith JD et al. · 2026 · Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN

Key points Apolipoprotein L1 genetic testing did not reduce potential living donors' willingness to donate, supporting integration of testing into practice. The Apolipoprotein L1 Testing and Counseling Program did not reduce potential…

View details →DOI: 10.2215/cjn.0000001064
Negative / Null Result ReportMedicine

Continuous Monitoring by a Wearable Sensor Did Not Enhance Discharge Decision-Making in an Acute Admission Ward: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Kant N, Garssen SH, Vernooij CA et al. · 2024 · Studies in health technology and informatics

Adding continuous monitoring to usual care at an acute admission ward did not have an effect on the proportion of patients safely discharged. Implementation challenges of continuous monitoring may have contributed to the lack of effect…

View details →DOI: 10.3233/shti240764
Negative / Null Result ReportMedicine

Immunosuppression in Older Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Sanders JF, de Boer SE, Jonker J et al. · 2026 · Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN

Key points Low-dose tacrolimus, everolimus, and prednisolone did not result in a higher rate of successful transplantation in older kidney transplant recipients. Low-dose tacrolimus, everolimus, and prednisolone did not result in better…

View details →DOI: 10.1681/asn.0000000924
Negative / Null Result ReportMedicine

The Camden Coalition Care Management Program Improved Intermediate Care Coordination: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Finkelstein A, Cantor JC, Gubb J et al. · 2024 · Health affairs (Project Hope)

When a randomized evaluation finds null results, it is important to understand why. We investigated two very different explanations for the finding from a randomized evaluation that the Camden Coalition's influential care management…

View details →DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2023.01151
Negative / Null Result ReportMedicine

Cardiovascular Outcomes in Adults with Coronary Artery Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea with versus without Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in the RICCADSA Cinical Trial.

Eulenburg C, Celik Y, Redline S et al. · 2023 · Annals of the American Thoracic Society

Rationale: Recent randomized controlled trials did not show cardiovascular benefits of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in adults with coronary artery disease (CAD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in intention-to-treat…

View details →DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202208-676oc
Negative / Null Result ReportMedicine

Estimating the Opportunity for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer Using Individual-Patient Data from a Large Randomized Controlled Trial.

Ryser MD, Holloway ST, Morsomme R et al. · 2025 · Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology

Background The UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening did not detect a reduction in ovarian cancer mortality with either multimodal screening (MMS) or transvaginal ultrasound screening (USS) compared with no screening. The…

View details →DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-25-0498
Negative / Null Result ReportMedicine

Effect of pelvic floor muscle training with or without dynamic neuromuscular stabilization-based breathing on menstrual pain and symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial.

Yakıt Yeşilyurt, Birinci Olgun, Dağ et al. · 2026 · BMC women's health

Breathing exercises may modulate dysmenorrhea by enhancing relaxation and eliciting analgesic effects. This study investigated the effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) with or without Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization…

View details →DOI: 10.1186/s12905-026-04578-w
Negative / Null Result Report

Fragility Index and Fragility Quotient in Statistically Significant Randomized Controlled Trials in Plastic Breast Surgery

Ron Skorochod, Yoav Gronovich · 2024 · Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

Background: The fragility index (FI) was conceived as an adjunct to the P value, signifying the strength of statistically significant results. The index states the minimal number of patients whose outcome must be changed from “event” to…

View details →DOI: 10.1097/gox.0000000000005916
Negative / Null Result Report

Exploratory outcomes of the DHA WIN randomized controlled trial: Supplementing women with docosahexaenoic acid did not reduce the impact of neoadjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy on quality of life or exercise behaviour

Claire M. Douglas, Marnie Newell, Susan Goruk et al. · 2025 · PLOS One

Supplementation of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids has been associated with reduced side effects and improved quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The current study reports secondary outcomes…

View details →DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322178
Negative / Null Result Report

Engaging Education About Risks of Opioid Use With Patients Before Elective Surgery of the Lower Extremity Did Not Reduce Postoperative Opioid Utilization: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Daniel I. Rhon, Tina A. Greenlee, Rachel Mayhew et al. · 2022 · Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Introduction: After elective orthopaedic surgery, many individuals go on to become long-term opioid users. Mitigating this risk has become a priority for surgeons, other members of the medical care team, and healthcare systems. The purpose…

View details →DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-21-00603
Negative / Null Result Report

Abstract 13428: The Long-term Therapy With Low-dose Aspirin Did Not Reduce Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Prevention Setting: 10-year Follow-up of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Yoshihiko Saito, Sadanori Okada, Hisao Ogawa et al. · 2016 · Circulation

Introduction: It takes long time to conclude efficacy and safety of an intervention on primary prevention of cardiovascular events. Up to date, there is no study to investigate the effect of the low-dose aspirin therapy on primary…

View details →DOI: 10.1161/circ.134.suppl_1.13428
Negative / Null Result Report

No significant effect of acupuncture on assisted pregnancy

L Rose · 2011 · Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Andersen D, Løssl K, Andersen AN, Fürbringer J, Bach H, Simonsen J, Larsen EC. Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer: a randomized controlled trial of 635 patients. Reprod Biomed Online 2010; 21: 366–372.

View details →DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-7166.2011.01091_6.x
Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessComputer Science

Effect of Static vs. Conversational AI-Generated Messages on Colorectal Cancer Screening Intent: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Neil K. R. Sehgal, Manuel Tonneau, Andy Tan et al. · 2025 · arXiv

Large language model (LLM) chatbots show increasing promise in persuasive communication. Yet their real-world utility remains uncertain, particularly in clinical settings where sustained conversations are difficult to scale. In a pre-registered randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 915 U.S. adults (ages 45-75) who had never completed colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Participants were randomized to: (1) no message control, (2) expert-written patient materials, (3) single AI-generated message, or (4) a motivational interviewing chatbot. All participants were required to remain in their assi