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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Jan-Feb;62(1):59-65.
doi: 10.1097/NNR.0b013e31827614fd.

Strategies used and data obtained during treatment fidelity monitoring

Janet S Carpenter  1 , Debra S Burns, Jingwei Wu, Menggang Yu, Kristin Ryker, Eileen Tallman, Diane Von Ah
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Strategies used and data obtained during treatment fidelity monitoring

Janet S Carpenter et al. Nurs Res. 2013 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Background: Treatment fidelity, also called intervention fidelity, is an important component of testing treatment efficacy. Although examples of strategies needed to address treatment fidelity have been provided in several published reports, data describing variations that might compromise efficacy testing have been omitted.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe treatment fidelity monitoring strategies and data within the context of a nursing clinical trial.

Methods: A three-group, randomized, controlled trial compared intervention (paced respiration) to attention control (fast, shallow breathing) to usual care for management of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Data from both staff and participants were collected to assess treatment fidelity.

Results: Staff measures for treatment delivery indicated good adherence to protocols. Participant ratings of expectancy and credibility were not statistically different between intervention and attention control; however, the attention control was significantly more acceptable (p < .05). Intervention participant data indicated good treatment receipt and enactment with mean breath rates at each time point falling within the target range. Practice log data for both intervention and attention control indicated lower adherence of once-daily rather than twice-daily practice.

Discussion: Despite strengths in fidelity monitoring, some challenges were identified that have implications for other similar intervention studies.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study Schema and Participant Flow for Treatment Fidelity Monitoring Notes. CD = compact disk; DVD = digital video disk; OE/CS = Outcome Expectancy/Credibility Scale; AS = Acceptability Scale
Figure 2
Figure 2
Participant Reported Acceptability at 8 Weeks for Compact Disc Intervention Group (solid line) and Digital Video Disk Attention Control Group (dashed line) Notes. **p < .01; *** p < .001 for chi-squared test of group differences
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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