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Exploring the effects of network analysis on depression trial outcomes: protocol for secondary analysis of individual participant data

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posted on 2024-06-26, 14:46 authored by David ByrneDavid Byrne, Arunangshu Ghoshal, Fiona BolandFiona Boland, Susan Brannick, Robert M. Carney, Pim Cuijpers, Alexandra L. Dima, Kenneth E. Freedland, Suzanne Guerin, David Hevey, Bishember Kathuria, Vincent McDarby, Emma WallaceEmma Wallace, Frank DoyleFrank Doyle

Background: Network analysis (NA) is a modern statistical method for exploring relationships and patterns in complex data. NA techniques can also be used to eliminate unstable or nonperforming items, potentially reducing measurement error. However, the use of NA to improve measures used in randomised controlled trials has been limited, and it is unknown whether applying such techniques could impact trial effect size outcomes.

Aim: We aim to determine whether network analysis can impact clinical trial effects by reducing measurement error in depression models and subsequently modifying trial effect size outcomes. 

Method: We will analyse individual participant data (IPD) from multiple depression trials that used the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) as a depression measure. Data will be accessed from Vivli.org. A sequence of network modelling, followed by bootstrapping and stability analysis, will be performed to revise models of the MADRS at baseline and outcome. Net scores will be derived from abbreviated models and the differences in original trial outcomes versus the abbreviated outcomes utilising net scores, will be the effect of interest. Effect size outcomes will be modelled using multilevel linear regression. 

Discussion: This study will determine whether network modelling can improve precision and inform better estimates of effect sizes in antidepressant treatment trials. The outcome of the proposed study could inform a shift in the way in which clinical trial data, and indeed data from other types of studies, may be analysed. 

Funding

Irish Research Council (IRC) ‘Collaborative Alliances for Societal Challenges (COALESCE)’ grant entitled “Do psychometrics matter? The effects of advanced psychometric analyses on depression randomised trial outcomes” (COALESCE/2021/68)

History

Data Availability Statement

There are no data or materials associated with this protocol.

Comments

The original article is available at https://osf.io/

Published Citation

Byrne D, et al. Exploring the effects of network analysis on depression trial outcomes: protocol for secondary analysis of individual participant data. PsyArXiv. 2024

Publication Date

8 May 2024

Department/Unit

  • School of Population Health
  • General Practice
  • Data Science Centre
  • Health Psychology

Publisher

PsyArXiv

Version

  • Submitted Version (Preprint)

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