Alternative Designs for Testing Speech, Language, and Hearing Interventions: Cluster-Randomized Trials and Stepped-Wedge Designs

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Alternative Designs for Testing Speech, Language, and Hearing Interventions: Cluster-Randomized Trials and Stepped-Wedge Designs
Language: English
Authors: Patterson, Charity G. (ORCID 0000-0002-0060-0124), Leland, Natalie E. (ORCID 0000-0002-0329-3772), Mormer, Elaine (ORCID 0000-0002-2206-4510), Palmer, Catherine V. (ORCID 0000-0001-7538-5054)
Source: Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. Jul 2022 65(7):2677-2690.
Availability: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 301-296-5700; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: slhr@asha.org; Web site: http://jslhr.pubs.asha.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2022
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: Speech Language Pathology, Randomized Controlled Trials, Intervention, Speech Therapy, Research Design, Sample Size, Cohort Analysis, Hearing Impairments, Residential Care
DOI: 10.1044/2022_JSLHR-21-00522
ISSN: 1092-4388
1558-9102
Abstract: Purpose: Individual-randomized trials are the gold standard for testing the efficacy and effectiveness of drugs, devices, and behavioral interventions. Health care delivery, educational, and programmatic interventions are often complex, involving multiple levels of change and measurement precluding individual randomization for testing. Cluster-randomized trials and cluster-randomized stepped-wedge trials are alternatives where the intervention is allocated at the group level, such as a clinic or a school, and the outcomes are measured at the person level. These designs are introduced along with the statistical implications of similarities among individuals within the same cluster. We also illustrate the parameters that have the most impact on the likelihood of detecting intervention effects, which must be considered when planning these trials. Conclusion: Cluster-randomized and stepped-wedge designs should be considered by researchers as experimental alternatives to individual-randomized trials when testing speech, language, and hearing care interventions in real-world settings.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2022
Accession Number: EJ1355579
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Purpose: Individual-randomized trials are the gold standard for testing the efficacy and effectiveness of drugs, devices, and behavioral interventions. Health care delivery, educational, and programmatic interventions are often complex, involving multiple levels of change and measurement precluding individual randomization for testing. Cluster-randomized trials and cluster-randomized stepped-wedge trials are alternatives where the intervention is allocated at the group level, such as a clinic or a school, and the outcomes are measured at the person level. These designs are introduced along with the statistical implications of similarities among individuals within the same cluster. We also illustrate the parameters that have the most impact on the likelihood of detecting intervention effects, which must be considered when planning these trials. Conclusion: Cluster-randomized and stepped-wedge designs should be considered by researchers as experimental alternatives to individual-randomized trials when testing speech, language, and hearing care interventions in real-world settings.
ISSN:1092-4388
1558-9102
DOI:10.1044/2022_JSLHR-21-00522