Some t-tests for N-of-1 trials with serial correlation

04/02/2019

∙

by   Jillian Tang, et al.

∙

0

∙

share

N-of-1 trials allow inference between two treatments given to a single individual. Often, usual t-tests or simple methods are used to analyze the individual's data. These simple methods do not account for serial correlation in repeated observations coming from the individual. We develop t-tests that account for serial correlation, then evaluate and compare their Type I and II errors to those of usual t-tests via simulation. Examples from N-of-1 clinical trials in fibromyalgia patients and from a behavioral health setting exhibit how accounting for serial correlation can change inferences. These t-tests are easily implemented and more appropriate than simple methods commonly used. Keywords: Single-case experimental design; Cross-over studies; Time-series; Autocorrelation; Repeated measures analysis