The phrase
"opaque envelopes" refers to envelopes that are not see-through or transparent. They cannot be easily looked through, making the contents inside hidden or secret.
Full definition
The treatment assignment sequence was masked to the investigator with the use
of opaque envelopes.
Three studies were judged unclear risk of bias: Rowley 1995 and Allen 2013 gave no information about the process of random allocation; and Flint 1989 used sealed
opaque envelopes but did not specify any numbering.
One hospital from each group was randomly selected by pulling names from
an opaque envelope.
Two studies were judged unclear risk of bias (Rowley 1995 gave no information about the process of random allocation, and Flint 1989 used sealed
opaque envelopes but did not specify any numbering).
Paper stated «Women were asked to select an envelope from a group of at least 6 sealed,
opaque envelopes, replenished in blocks of 12.
After consent and the collection of baseline data, randomisation was undertaken using sequentially numbered sealed
opaque envelopes (fig 1).