A note on sample size calculations for cluster randomised crossover trials with a fixed number of clusters

Thu Lan Kelly, Nicole Pratt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Girardeau, Ravaud and Donner in 2008 presented a formula for sample size calculations for cluster randomised crossover trials, when the intracluster correlation coefficient, interperiod correlation coefficient and mean cluster size are specified in advance. However, in many randomised trials, the number of clusters is constrained in some way, but the mean cluster size is not. We present a version of the Girardeau formula for sample size calculations for cluster randomised crossover trials when the number of clusters is fixed. Formulae are given for the minimum number of clusters, the maximum cluster size and the relationship between the correlation coefficients when there are constraints on both the number of clusters and the cluster size. Our version of the formula may aid the efficient planning and design of cluster randomised crossover trials.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3342-3345
Number of pages4
JournalStatistics in Medicine
Volume38
Issue number18
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 15 Aug 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • cluster randomised crossover clinical trial
  • experimental design
  • sample size calculation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Statistics and Probability

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