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Stepped wedge randomized trial designs involve sequential roll-out of an intervention to participants(individuals or clusters) over a number of time periods. By the end of the study, all participants will have received the intervention, although the order in which participants receive the intervention is determined at random. The design is particularly relevant where it is predicted that the intervention will do more good than harm (making a parallel design, in which certain participants do not receive the intervention unethical) and/or where, for logistical, practical or financial reasons, it is impossible to deliver the intervention simultaneously to all participants.

  • hsosa hsosa 16 Aug 2010

    This is an interesting topic. I am studying different trial designs and this is helpful. I have been reading about adaptive trial design, so please see the new blog on this. I would appreciate your comments

  • naveedbhutto Naveed Bhutto 6 Aug 2010

    Thanks a lot. Excellent

  • streweek Shaun Treweek 6 Aug 2010

    There's a nice paper on stepped wedges that's freely available on Biomed: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2288/6/54