Co-bedding twins: how pilot study findings guided improvements in planning a larger multicenter trial

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A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
04:53

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition

Published on: September 20, 2019

Kathryn Hayward1, Marsha Campbell-Yeo, Sheri Price

  • 1Dalhousie University School of Nursing, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. kathryn.hayward@dal.ca

Nursing Research
|March 16, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Pilot studies are crucial for developing competitive grant proposals and efficient research trials. This study used co-bedding pilot findings to refine a larger multisite trial protocol for twins, improving study design and data collection.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Developmental pediatrics
  • Clinical trial methodology

Background:

  • Co-bedding is a developmental care practice for twins and multiples.
  • It is theorized to mitigate adverse neurodevelopmental effects from hospitalization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the feasibility of study design and methods for a larger multicentered trial.
  • To evaluate outcome measurement for a future twin co-bedding study.

Main Methods:

  • Pilot study to inform a larger multicentered trial.
  • Data collection feasibility and recruitment strategies were evaluated.
  • Effect size estimation and staff organization were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Findings informed effect size estimation and staff organization.
  • Feasibility of data collection measures was evaluated.
  • Recruitment and follow-up issues were identified for a larger trial.

Conclusions:

  • Pilot studies are vital for grant proposals and efficient trial conduct.
  • This pilot study refined the protocol for a larger multisite trial on co-bedding twins.
  • Essential baseline information from pilot studies strengthens research proposals.
Abstract

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