Consulting parents about the design of a randomized controlled trial of osteopathy for children with cerebral palsy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although the UK Department of Health has advocated the involvement of service users and carers in health research for several years, there is little evidence about their contribution to the design of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Objective

To demonstrate how consulting parents about the design of a study, including which outcomes to use, led to the design and successful delivery of a RCT of osteopathy for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Design

Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 20 parents of children with CP and other neurological conditions, asking them to choose between four different trial designs, to talk about noticeable changes in their child's condition and their views about payment for trial treatment.

Setting and particip

SUBMITTER: Edwards V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5060591 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature