Question

Should I consider a SMART if my goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of an already developed adaptive intervention?

Answer

No. SMART designs are used to develop an optimized adaptive intervention. If your goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of an already developed adaptive intervention, then you should consider a confirmatory, randomized control trial (RCT). For example, in a standard 2-arm confirmatory RCT you could randomize half the participants to the adaptive intervention and the other half to a suitable control group (e.g., usual care).

Note that SMARTs are not an alternative to confirmatory RCT designs. The two types of trial designs serve different purposes.

Upcoming Events

Hybrid Experimental Designs for Developing Mobile Interventions

July 6, 2023
Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education
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Optimization of Adaptive Interventions

July 15, 2023, 10:45 - 12:00 p.m.
NIH Summer Institute on Randomized Behavioral Clinical Trials
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Leveraging digital technology to improve employee health and well-being: New intervention and experimental approaches

August 15, 2023
Disney Data and Analytics Conference
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Advances in Adaptive Interventions to Improve Outcomes for Individuals with SUD and HIV

October 3, 2023
UCSF, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies
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Optimizing the Adaptation and Personalization of SUD Services

October 18, 2023, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Addiction Health Services Research Conference 2023
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