Design and analysis of stepped wedge cluster randomized trials.
Cluster randomized trials (CRT) are often used to evaluate therapies or interventions in situations where individual randomization is not possible or not desirable for logistic, financial or ethical reasons. While a significant and rapidly growing body of literature exists on CRTs utilizing a "parallel" design (i.e. I clusters randomized to each treatment), only a few examples of CRTs using crossover designs have been described. In this article we discuss the design and analysis of a particular type of crossover CRT - the stepped wedge - and provide an example of its use.
Hussey
Michael A
MA
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States.
Hughes
James P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003198:Computer Simulation; D016358:Contact Tracing; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012107:Research Design; D018401:Sample Size; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission