The stepped wedge trial design: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Stepped wedge randomised trial designs involve sequential roll-out of an intervention to participants (individuals or clusters) over a number of time periods. By the end of the study, all participants will have received the intervention, although the order in which participants receive the intervention is determined at random. The design is particularly relevant where it is predicted that the intervention will do more good than harm (making a parallel design, in which certain participants do not receive the intervention unethical) and/or where, for logistical, practical or financial reasons, it is impossible to deliver the intervention simultaneously to all participants. Stepped wedge designs offer a number of opportunities for data analysis, particularly for modelling t

SUBMITTER: Brown CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1636652 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature