The Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) clinical trial was a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomised Trial (SMART) of nursing interventions to reduce pain associated with CIPN.
The SMART design of the CIPN clinical trial allowed for the interventions to be adjusted based on participants’ responses to treatment.
The Australian Clinical Trials Consumer Guide to Clinical Trials states that clinical trials are medical research studies that aim to find a better way to manage a particular disease. The purpose of a clinical trial is to evaluate new approaches to learn how people respond to them and what side effects might occur as a result. Clinical trials are considered to be part of best practice medicine and are one of many options for treatment of a disease or illness.
The Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) website includes information for consumers about clinical trials including phases of clinical trials, how clinical trials work, who can be part of a clinical trial and types of clinical trials. To find out more about how clinical trials work, see NHMRC Australian Clinical Trials.