These include unique statistical considerations, choice of relevant endpoints, feasibility, and ethics in study design.
Synthesised findings were grouped into topic areas under the relevant dimension (feasibility, appropriateness, meaningfulness) as presented in this paper.
Given the possibility that some documents excluded through the meta-analysis review process could contain information relevant to feasibility, the 119 documents included in the meta-analysis were reviewed to identify the interventions on which they focused.
The underlying message about the importance of both quantitative and qualitative research funded and timed to inform and change trial processes early on remains highly relevant to feasibility trials, as was shown in the Quartet (Qualitative research to improve recruitment to trials) study (de Salis et al, 2008).
Lastly, the relative toxicity of regimens under comparison is particularly relevant to the feasibility of their wider application.
Our own review only identified one relevant publication, a feasibility study of group CBT which incorporated the SF-36 [ 72].
The Aβ cascade hypothesis, though important, is not highly relevant to the feasibility and validity of Aβ imaging since, by definition, Aβ deposition remains a pathological hallmark of this disease.
Research has shown that an intervention, in order to be worthy of testing for efficacy, should answer the relevant questions within feasibility: 'Can it work?', 'Does it work?', 'Will it work?' [ 34].
We focus here on monitoring methods during pregnancy and the intrapartum periods, including identification and care of high-risk pregnancies and advanced monitoring techniques, with attention given where relevant to the feasibility and potential impact of implementing these techniques in low-resource settings where most stillbirths occur.
Other relevant findings include the feasibility of the proposed randomization and blinding process used by the BLING I investigators and the suggestion of appropriate surrogate endpoints for survival to be utilized in a multicenter study.
