Challenges and solutions for N-of-1 design studies in health psychology

Kwasnicka, Dominika, Inauen, Jennifer, Nieuwenboom, Wim, Nurmi, Johanna, Schneider, Annegret, Short, Camille, Deckers, Tessa, Williams, A. Jess, Bierbauer, Walter, Haukkala, Ari, Picariello, Federica and Naughton, Felix (2019) Challenges and solutions for N-of-1 design studies in health psychology. Health Psychology Review, 13 (2). pp. 163-178. ISSN 1743-7199

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Abstract

Theories of behaviour change and health behaviour change interventions are most often evaluated in between-person designs. However, behaviour change theories apply to individuals not groups and behavioural interventions ultimately aim to achieve within-person rather than between-group change. Within-person methodology, such as N-of-1 (also known as single case design), can circumvent this issue, though has multiple design-specific challenges. This paper provides a conceptual review of the challenges and potential solutions for undertaking N-of-1 studies in health psychology. Key challenges identified include participant adherence to within-person protocols, carry-over and slow onset effects, suitability of behaviour change techniques for evaluation in N-of-1 experimental studies, optimal allocation sequencing and blinding, calculating power/sample size, and choosing the most suitable analysis approach. Key solutions include involving users in study design, employing recent technologies for unobtrusive data collection and problem solving by design. Within-person designs share common methodological requirements with conventional between-person designs but require specific methodological considerations. N-of-1 evaluation designs are appropriate for many though not all types of interventions. A greater understanding of patterns of behaviours and factors influencing behaviour change at the within-person level is required to progress health psychology into a precision science.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Behavioural and Implementation Science Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	06 Mar 2019 16:30
Last Modified:	28 Mar 2025 09:11
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/70175
DOI:	10.1080/17437199.2018.1564627

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