Assessing fidelity to treatment delivery in the ICONS (Identifying Continence OptioNs after Stroke) cluster randomised feasibility trial

Conclusions:
Lessons learnt from this study have implications for the future ICONS definitive trial and for other trials of complex interventions. Implementation of a complex intervention may often deviate from what is intended. While careful consideration should be given to the best method of fidelity assessment, an iterative approach allowing flexibility to adapt pre-planned methods is recommended within feasibility trials. As fidelity to treatment delivery in the ICONS feasibility trial appeared to be relatively low, more attention to implementation strategies will be required in the definitive trial.Trial registrationIdentifier: ISRCTN08609907; date registered: 07/07/2010.

Source: BMC Medical Research Methodology - August 21, 2015 Category: Research Authors: Brigit ChesworthMichael LeathleyLois ThomasChristopher SuttonDenise ForshawCaroline WatkinsThe ICONS project team and the ICONS Patient, Public and Carer Involvement Groups Source Type: research