NIHR Research Professorship (Prof Richard Emsley): Design and Analysis of Efficient Trials in Mental Health
In some disease areas, researchers increasingly use ‘efficient trial’ designs that test several new treatments simultaneously and deliver answers to more questions more quickly. In other areas such as mental health, the full toolbox of these efficient trial designs is not currently being used. Professor Emsley’s research programme aims to deliver better trials of treatments in mental health by reviewing all aspects of ‘efficient trial’ designs and establish why they are not being used effectively.
The research will produce new ideas for designing and analysing trials in mental health, and consult widely with clinicians, patients and the public to work out how they can best be used in the future.
The research will develop new statistical methods to make better use of the data already collected in trials and improve its interpretation, particularly in situations where patients are unable to follow their allocated treatment or provide outcome data. Ultimately this will benefit patients by more efficient trials being funded, quicker delivery of effective treatments and fewer patients being randomized to ineffective treatments.
The MRC-NIHR Trials Methodology Research Partnership (TMRP) began in June 2019 following funding awarded by the MRC-NIHR Methodology Research Programme. The TMRP brings together a number of networks, institutions and partners working in trials and trials methodology research. Eight working groups specialise in specific areas relevant to trial methodology.
King’s College London is an active member of the Partnership, and Prof Emsley is the co-lead of the Statistical Analysis Working Group.