Understanding Variation in Sets of N-of-1 Trials.
A recent paper in this journal by Chen and Chen has used computer simulations to examine a number of approaches to analysing sets of n-of-1 trials. We have examined such designs using a more theoretical approach based on considering the purpose of analysis and the structure as regards randomisation...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2016-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5131970?pdf=render |
| _version_ | 1830358727477166080 |
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| author | Artur Araujo Steven Julious Stephen Senn |
| author_facet | Artur Araujo Steven Julious Stephen Senn |
| author_sort | Artur Araujo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A recent paper in this journal by Chen and Chen has used computer simulations to examine a number of approaches to analysing sets of n-of-1 trials. We have examined such designs using a more theoretical approach based on considering the purpose of analysis and the structure as regards randomisation that the design uses. We show that different purposes require different analyses and that these in turn may produce quite different results. Our approach to incorporating the randomisation employed when the purpose is to test a null hypothesis of strict equality of the treatment makes use of Nelder's theory of general balance. However, where the purpose is to make inferences about the effects for individual patients, we show that a mixed model is needed. There are strong parallels to the difference between fixed and random effects meta-analyses and these are discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T02:46:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c858209d8176442d92b60736f69b9db0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T02:46:51Z |
| publishDate | 2016-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-c858209d8176442d92b60736f69b9db02022-12-21T19:56:09ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032016-01-011112e016716710.1371/journal.pone.0167167Understanding Variation in Sets of N-of-1 Trials.Artur AraujoSteven JuliousStephen SennA recent paper in this journal by Chen and Chen has used computer simulations to examine a number of approaches to analysing sets of n-of-1 trials. We have examined such designs using a more theoretical approach based on considering the purpose of analysis and the structure as regards randomisation that the design uses. We show that different purposes require different analyses and that these in turn may produce quite different results. Our approach to incorporating the randomisation employed when the purpose is to test a null hypothesis of strict equality of the treatment makes use of Nelder's theory of general balance. However, where the purpose is to make inferences about the effects for individual patients, we show that a mixed model is needed. There are strong parallels to the difference between fixed and random effects meta-analyses and these are discussed.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5131970?pdf=render |
| spellingShingle | Artur Araujo Steven Julious Stephen Senn Understanding Variation in Sets of N-of-1 Trials. PLoS ONE |
| title | Understanding Variation in Sets of N-of-1 Trials. |
| title_full | Understanding Variation in Sets of N-of-1 Trials. |
| title_fullStr | Understanding Variation in Sets of N-of-1 Trials. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding Variation in Sets of N-of-1 Trials. |
| title_short | Understanding Variation in Sets of N-of-1 Trials. |
| title_sort | understanding variation in sets of n of 1 trials |
| url | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5131970?pdf=render |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT arturaraujo understandingvariationinsetsofnof1trials AT stevenjulious understandingvariationinsetsofnof1trials AT stephensenn understandingvariationinsetsofnof1trials |