Using the 'Leapfrog' Design as a Simple Form of Adaptive Platform Trial to Develop, Test, and Implement Treatment...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Trials
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Developing personalized psychological therapies is complex and inefficient.
• Traditional trial methods require large sample sizes, hindering progress.
• A gap exists between therapy development and real-world implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline adaptive platform trials (APT) as a method to streamline personalized therapy development.
• To introduce and illustrate the 'leapfrog' trial design, a simplified APT.
• To discuss implementation models for APT in routine practice.

Main Methods:

• Review of adaptive platform trial methodologies.
• Simulation of the 'leapfrog' trial design.
• Discussion of implementation strategies and challenges.

Main Results:

• Adaptive platform trials (APT) offer a more efficient route for personalized therapy development.
• The 'leapfrog' trial design can reduce sample size requirements.
• Models for integrating APT into routine practice are proposed.

Conclusions:

• APT, particularly the 'leapfrog' design, can accelerate the development and testing of personalized psychological treatments.
• Embedding trials within routine practice is key for closing the implementation gap.
• Careful consideration of implementation models and challenges is necessary for successful adoption.