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. 2017 Jul;29 Suppl 3(Suppl 3 IV STEP 2016 CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS ):S57-S63.
doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000380.

Research Design Options for Intervention Studies

Michele A Lobo  1 , Sarah H Kagan, John D Corrigan
Affiliations

Research Design Options for Intervention Studies

Michele A Lobo et al. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2017 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: To review research designs for rehabilitation.

Summary of key points: Single-case, observational, and qualitative designs are highlighted in terms of recent advances and ability to answer important scientific questions about rehabilitation.

Statement of conclusions: Single-case, observational, and qualitative designs can be conducted in a systematic and rigorous manner that provides important information that cannot be acquired using more common designs, such as randomized controlled trials. These less commonly used designs may be more feasible and effective in answering many research questions in the field of rehabilitation.

Recommendations for clinical practice: Researchers should consider these designs when selecting the optimal design to answer their research questions. We should improve education about the advantages and disadvantages of existing research designs to enable more critical analysis of the scientific literature we read and review to avoid undervaluing studies not within more commonly used categories.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The common hierarchy of research design positions randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and studies analyzing and reviewing these trials at the top. Single case designs and qualitative research designs are not depicted in this hierarchy and observational designs are positioned lower on the hierarchy, incorrectly suggesting these categories of studies cannot be as rigorous and informative as RCTs.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A fictional A1B1A2B2 single-case study design that tracks distance travelled by an individual with movement impairments in the community with and without a powered mobility device. A1 represents the first and A2 the second baseline phase (distance travelled without the device); B1 represents the first and B2 the second intervention phase (distance travelled with the device). A clear difference is observed in the level/amount of community mobility observed between periods of device use and nonuse, suggesting the change in amount of mobility was caused by the use of the device.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A fictional multiple baseline AB single-case study design that tracks independent sitting time for infants at risk for delays. A represents the baseline phase when no intervention is provided; B represents the intervention phase when the sitting intervention is provided. Participants began the study at 4 months of age, but Participant 1 began the intervention at 5 months, Participant 2 at 6 months, and Participant 3 at 7 months of age. Independent sitting typically emerges around 6 months of age. Duration of independent sitting changed with respect to the onset of intervention rather than in relation to age, strengthening the suggestion that the intervention caused the change in sitting behavior.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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