Dr Sophie Green (University of Leeds)

Optimising complex interventions in cancer using novel experimental designs

Abstract

Complex interventions are typically evaluated using a randomised controlled trial (RCT). While RCTs are suitable for establishing the overall effectiveness of an intervention, they tell us little about which individual components of an intervention drive its success (or failure). The Multiphase Optimisation Strategy (MOST) is an engineering inspired framework designed to optimise complex interventions. By using highly efficient, fully powered experimental designs, MOST guides the optimisation of interventions that are more effective, efficient, affordable and scalable. Crucially, MOST offers potential to understand how and why interventions work, helping to accelerate scientific progress.

In this talk, Sophie will introduce the MOST framework, highlighting its benefits and the innovative experimental designs it advocates. She will illustrate these concepts by drawing on examples from a large programme of research aimed at developing and optimising a behavioural intervention to support medication adherence in women with breast cancer (the ROSETA trial), guided by the MOST framework. Sophie will also discuss exciting future applications of MOST, including the potential to optimise psychological interventions—such as those targeting fear of cancer recurrence—to deepen our understanding of their mechanisms of effect.

Bio

Dr Sophie Green is a senior research fellow at the University of Leeds UK, with an academic background in behavioural science and psychology and a clinical background as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. Sophie’s overarching research interests focus on the development, optimisation and evaluation of behavioural and psychological interventions to support people living with cancer. Sophie has worked across a number of randomised controlled trials and optimisation trials, predominantly focused on improving medication adherence and quality of life in women with breast cancer. She is currently funded by a National Institute of Health Research Development and Skills Enhancement Award, within which she is exploring how secondary analyses of optimisation trials can enhance our understanding of how complex interventions work and for whom.