Feasibility study of a single-blind randomised controlled trial of an occupational therapy
intervention
Sammanfattning
Background: Several factors facilitate or hinder efficacy research in occupational therapy.
Strategies
are needed, therefore, to support the successful implementation of trials. Aim: To assess the
feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT). The main feasibility objectives of this
study were to assess the process, resources, management, and scientific basis of a trial RCT.
Material
and methods: A total of 10 occupational therapists, between the ages of 30 and 55 (M 43.4; SD 8.3)
with seven to 26 years’ (M 14.3; SD 6.1) experience, participated in this study. Qualitative data
collected included minutes of meetings, reports, and field notes. The data were analysed based on
the principles of content analysis, using feasibility objectives as the main categories. Results: Data
analysis revealed strengths in relation to retention and inclusion criteria of participants, the study
protocol, study organisation, and the competence of researchers. Weaknesses were found related
to recruitment, randomisation, data collection, time for training and communication, commitment,
and design. Conclusion: The findings indicated that there are several factors which had a
considerable impact on the implementation of an RCT in practice. However, it was useful to assess
methods and procedures of the trial RCT as a basis to refine research plans.