Microrandomized Trials: Developing Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions for Better Public Health

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Digital Health
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) tailor support to individual needs and contexts.
• JITAIs delivered via mobile health (mHealth) can enhance care access, particularly in underserved communities.
• Addressing health disparities is a critical public health objective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review microrandomized trial (MRT) designs for evaluating JITAIs.
• To discuss statistical challenges in MRT design and analysis.
• To provide case studies illustrating JITAIs and MRTs.

Main Methods:

• Review of classical and outcome-adaptive microrandomized trial (MRT) designs.
• Discussion of statistical considerations for JITAIs and MRTs.
• Inclusion of two case studies for practical illustration.

Main Results:

• Microrandomized trials (MRTs) are presented as a key methodology for JITAIs.
• Both classical and adaptive MRT designs are covered.
• Statistical challenges and solutions for MRTs are discussed.

Conclusions:

• Effective evaluation of JITAIs requires robust experimental designs like MRTs.
• Advancing JITAIs through rigorous methodology can improve public health practice.
• This work aims to guide better design and application of JITAIs.