Fan Li1, Rui Wang2. 1. Department of Biostatistics, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. 2. Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Electronic address: rwang@hsph.harvard.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stepped wedge cluster randomized trials enable rigorous evaluations of health intervention programs in pragmatic settings. In the present study, we aimed to update neurosurgeon scientists on the design of stepped wedge randomized trials. METHODS: We have presented an overview of recent methodological developments for stepped wedge designs and included an update on the newer associated methodological tools to aid with future study designs. RESULTS: We defined the stepped wedge trial design and reviewed the indications for the design in depth. In addition, key considerations, including mainstream methods of analysis and sample size determination, were discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Stepped wedge designs can be attractive for study intervention programs aiming to improve the delivery of patient care, especially when examining a small number of heterogeneous clusters.
BACKGROUND: Stepped wedge cluster randomized trials enable rigorous evaluations of health intervention programs in pragmatic settings. In the present study, we aimed to update neurosurgeon scientists on the design of stepped wedge randomized trials. METHODS: We have presented an overview of recent methodological developments for stepped wedge designs and included an update on the newer associated methodological tools to aid with future study designs. RESULTS: We defined the stepped wedge trial design and reviewed the indications for the design in depth. In addition, key considerations, including mainstream methods of analysis and sample size determination, were discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Stepped wedge designs can be attractive for study intervention programs aiming to improve the delivery of patient care, especially when examining a small number of heterogeneous clusters.
Authors: Tom P Thompson; Colin J Greaves; Richard Ayres; Paul Aveyard; Fiona C Warren; Richard Byng; Rod S Taylor; John L Campbell; Michael Ussher; Susan Michie; Robert West; Adrian H Taylor Journal: Trials Date: 2015-02-12 Impact factor: 2.279
Authors: Sophie E Rowbotham; Doug Cavaye; Rene Jaeggi; Jason S Jenkins; Corey S Moran; Joseph V Moxon; Jenna L Pinchbeck; Frank Quigley; Christopher M Reid; Jonathan Golledge Journal: Trials Date: 2017-01-04 Impact factor: 2.279