Systematic review of stepped wedge cluster randomized trials shows that design is particularly used to evaluate interventions during routine implementation

Noreen D. Mdege*, Mei-See Man, Celia A. Taylor (nee Brown), David J. Torgerson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview article (Academic Journal)peer-review

330 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To describe the application of the stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT) design.

Study Design and Setting: Systematic review. We searched Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, HMIC, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge, and Current Controlled Trials Register for articles published up to January 2010. Stepped wedge CRCTs from all fields of research were included. Two authors independently reviewed and extracted data from the studies.

Results: Twenty-five studies were included in the review. Motivations for using the design included ethical, logistical, financial, social, and political acceptability and methodological reasons. Most studies were evaluating an intervention during routine implementation. For most of the included studies, there was also a belief or empirical evidence suggesting that the intervention would do more good than harm. There was variation in data analysis methods and insufficient quality of reporting.

Conclusions: The stepped wedge CRCT design has been mainly used for evaluating interventions during routine implementation, particularly for interventions that have been shown to be effective in more controlled research settings, or where there is lack of evidence of effectiveness but there is a strong belief that they will do more good than harm. There is need for consistent data analysis and reporting. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)936-948
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume64
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2011

Keywords

  • Systematic review
  • Cluster randomized controlled trial
  • Stepped wedge design
  • Implementation research
  • Research methods
  • Phased implementation
  • USE THERAPEUTIC FOOD
  • MALAWIAN CHILDREN
  • HEALTH
  • COMMUNITY
  • INFECTION
  • RISK

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