Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7568

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Publication type: Journal Article

Perera R, Heneghan C, Yudkin P.
Graphical method for depicting randomised trials of complex interventions
BMJ 2007 Jan 20; 334:(7585):127
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/334/7585/127

Abstract:

Complex interventions consist of several separate components combined to produce a desired outcome.1 Evaluation of such interventions in randomised trials will generally lead to complex comparisons between trial groups.2 Moreover, text descriptions in journal articles may obscure aspects of the interventions in the trial and hinder comparison between them. To counter these problems we have produced a single image that presents the components of all interventions in the trial and compares different treatment arms. The aim is to clarify the structure of the contrasted interventions and thus aid interpretation of the trial results.

The need for clear comparisons
We studied 169 randomised trials of non-drug interventions in primary care published between 1999 and 2003. We searched Medline, PSIQInfo, Bioabstracts, and Embase using the free text search terms “randomised controlled trials” and “primary care” and their synonyms, and excluding the term “placebo” appearing in the title or abstract; we also hand searched reference lists . . . [Full text of this article]

Intervention intensity and repeated components

Flexible interventions

Multiple arms for multiple comparisons

Advantages of using graphs