The cohort multiple randomized controlled trial design: a valid and efficient alternative to pragmatic trials?

Joanne M. van der Velden, Helena M. Verkooijen, Danny A. Young-Afat, Johannes P.M. Burbach, Marco van Vulpen, Clare Relton, Carla H. van Gils, Anne M. May, Rolf H.H. Groenwold
2016 International Journal of Epidemiology  
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs)-the gold standard for evaluating the effects of medical interventions-are notoriously challenging in terms of logistics, planning and costs. The cohort multiple randomized controlled trial approach is designed to facilitate randomized trials for pragmatic evaluation of (new) interventions and is a promising variation from conventional pragmatic RCTs. In this paper, we evaluate methodological challenges of conducting an RCT within a cohort. We argue that
more » ... y valid results can be obtained from trials conducted within cohorts as from pragmatic RCTs. However, whether this design is more efficient compared with conducting a pragmatic RCT depends on the amount and nature of non-compliance in the intervention arm.
doi:10.1093/ije/dyw050 pmid:27118559 fatcat:cvuyt7wi5nehrcidohdckhs7xq