title: Strategies used and data obtained during treatment fidelity monitoring.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment fidelity, also called intervention fidelity, is an important component of testing treatment efficacy. Although examples of strategies needed to address treatment fidelity have been provided in several published reports, data describing variations that might compromise efficacy testing have been omitted.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to describe treatment fidelity monitoring strategies and data within the context of a nursing clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A three-group, randomized, controlled trial compared intervention (paced respiration) to attention control (fast, shallow breathing) to usual care for management of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Data from both staff and participants were collected to assess treatment fidelity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Staff measures for treatment delivery indicated good adherence to protocols. Participant ratings of expectancy and credibility were not statistically different between intervention and attention control; however, the attention control was significantly more acceptable (p < .05). Intervention participant data indicated good treatment receipt and enactment with mean breath rates at each time point falling within the target range. Practice log data for both intervention and attention control indicated lower adherence of once-daily rather than twice-daily practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite strengths in fidelity monitoring, some challenges were identified that have implications for other similar intervention studies.
authors.affiliation: Center for Enhancing Quality of Life, School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. carpentj@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Janet S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: Debra S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Jingwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Menggang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ryker
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tallman
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Von Ah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction