Question

What does it mean for an adaptive intervention to be “embedded” in a SMART?

Answer

Researchers use Sequential, Multiple Assignment, Randomized Trial (SMART) designs to investigate the effectiveness of intervention components (or combinations of them) at multiple stages. At the beginning of each stage, participants may be assigned their next intervention through randomization (e.g., 50% receive treatment A, 50% receive treatment B). But, depending on the SMART, not all patients are randomized to a new intervention at every stage. In some SMARTs, only some participants (e.g., those most likely to benefit from additional intervention) are re-randomized. For example, in the SMART shown below, only those who did not respond to their assigned first-stage treatment are randomized to intervention D or intervention E.

In a SMART with this design, participants follow different treatment pathways determined by randomization and their response status. Each pair of pathways defines an adaptive intervention (above). For example, pathway A-C (available only to responders) combined with pathway A-D (available only to non-responders) represents one adaptive intervention (AI1). Pathway A-C combined with pathway A-E represents another adaptive intervention (AI2). We call these AIs “embedded” because their designs are readily apparent in the design of the SMART.

A common primary aim in a SMART is to compare the relative effectiveness of these embedded adaptive interventions. Our collection of downloadable and free-to-use software includes programs for conducting this type of analysis with data arising from a SMART.

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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