Role of recruitment bias in stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trials: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Increased popularity of stepped-wedge cluster randomised trials (SW-CRT) highlights the importance of understanding and appropriate mitigation of sources of bias within this trial design. While current evidence suggests that 'conventional' cluster randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are at a higher risk of recruitment bias than individually randomised trials, this review aims to estimate the risk of recruitment bias in SW-CRTs.

Design

Systematic review with search conducted on four databases. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using subdomain 1a (randomisation process) and 1b (timing of identification or recruitment of participants) of the Cochrane RoB tool 2.0 (extension for cluster RCTs).

Data sources

MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library were searched o

SUBMITTER: Yakimova A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12666225 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature