Table 2.
Summary of the realised design features of the included stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial. Values are numbers (percentages) unless stated otherwise
| Full trial report N=32 |
|
|---|---|
| Number of steps* | |
| Two | 9 (28.1) |
| Three or four | 8 (25.0) |
| More than four | 14 (43.8) |
| Not reported | 1 (3.1) |
| Median (IQR) | 4.0 (2.0–6.0) |
| Number of clusters | |
| Less than 10 | 9 (28.1) |
| 10 or more | 22 (68.8) |
| Not reported | 1 (3.1) |
| Median (IQR) | 17.0 (8.0–38.0) |
| Total cluster size† | |
| Median (IQR) | 55.0 (24.0–326.0) |
| Number of clusters randomised per step | |
| Median (IQR) | 3.0 (1.0–8.0) |
| Number of measurement points‡ | |
| Median (IQR) | 5.0 (3.0–7.5) |
| Study duration (months), median (IQR) | 16.0 (8.0–24.0) |
| Step duration (months), median (IQR) | 2.0 (1.0–4.0) |
| Design type§ | |
| Cross-sectional | 5 (15.6) |
| Cohort | 12 (37.5) |
| Open cohort | 10 (31.3) |
| Unclear | 5 (15.6) |
| Variations on design | |
| Transition periods | 1 (3.1) |
| Extended pre-period or postperiod | 11 (34.4) |
| Other | 6 (18.8) |
*Steps are points at which clusters are randomised.
†For cohort studies this is the total number of observations made within the cluster, it includes the size of clusters in which there was lack of clarity of cluster size and cluster size per measurement period but for which a judgement was made.
‡Measurement points are the number of separate periods or points in time in which outcome data are collected.
§Design type includes those for which there was lack of clarity but for which a judgement was made.