A comparison of four methods for the analysis of N-of-1 trials.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To provide a practical guidance for the analysis of N-of-1 trials by comparing four commonly used models.

Methods

The four models, paired t-test, mixed effects model of difference, mixed effects model and meta-analysis of summary data were compared using a simulation study. The assumed 3-cycles and 4-cycles N-of-1 trials were set with sample sizes of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 30 respectively under normally distributed assumption. The data were generated based on variance-covariance matrix under the assumption of (i) compound symmetry structure or first-order autoregressive structure, and (ii) no carryover effect or 20% carryover effect. Type I error, power, bias (mean error), and mean square error (MSE) of effect differences between two groups were used to evaluate the p

SUBMITTER: Chen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3913644 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature