Pragmatic randomised controlled trials in parenting research: the issue of intention to treat.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate trials of parenting programmes, regarding their use of intention to treat (ITT).


METHODS
Individual trials included in two relevant Cochrane systematic reviews were scrutinised by two independent reviewers. Data on country of origin, target audience, trial type, treatment violations, use of ITT, and the management of missing data were extracted.


RESULTS
Thirty trial reports were reviewed. Three reported the use of an ITT approach to data analysis. Nineteen reported losing subjects to follow up although the implications of this were rarely considered. Insufficient detail in reports meant it was difficult to identify study drop outs, the nature of treatment violations, and those failing to provide outcome assessments. In two trials, study drop outs were considered as additional control groups, violating the basic principle of ITT.


CONCLUSIONS
It is recommended that future trial reports adhere to CONSORT guidelines. In particular ITT should be used for the main analyses, with strategies for managing treatment violations and handling missing data being reported a priori. Those conducting trials need to acknowledge the social nature of these programmes can sometimes result in erratic parent attendance and participation, which would only increase the chances of missing data. The use of approaches that can limit the proportion of missing data is therefore recommended.
Whittaker
Karen
K
Department of Nursing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK. kwhittaker1@uclan.ac.uk
Sutton
Chris
C
Burton
Chris
C
D006801:Humans; D016487:Parenting; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*