Statistical analysis of publicly funded cluster randomised controlled trials: a review of the National Institute for Health Research Journals Library.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In cluster randomised controlled trials (cRCTs), groups of individuals (rather than individuals) are randomised to minimise the risk of contamination and/or efficiently use limited resources or solve logistic and administrative problems. A major concern in the primary analysis of cRCT is the use of appropriate statistical methods to account for correlation among outcomes from a particular group/cluster. This review aimed to investigate the statistical methods used in practice for analysing the primary outcomes in publicly funded cluster randomised controlled trials, adherence to the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) reporting guidelines for cRCTs and the recruitment abilities of the cluster trials design.

Methods

We manually searched the United

SUBMITTER: Offorha BC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8817506 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature