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PubMed · 10407247

Optimization of testing times and critical values in sequential equivalence testing.

H H Müller·H Schäfer
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Abstract

In long-term clinical trials, interim analyses are planned to reduce the number of patients needed. To meet this issue in a practical way, group sequential designs are used. Most of these trials are conducted with the objective of demonstrating differences in efficacy of treatments, for example, to show superiority of a new drug or experimental treatment to a control. However, an increasing number of trials are designed to establish equivalence in efficacy or bioequivalence. This paper deals with group sequential test procedures in two-sided equivalence trials. Optimized designs with respect to sample size behaviour are constructed. Tables containing optimal testing times and corresponding optimal critical values or values to construct an underlying alpha-spending function, respectively, are provided. An example illustrates their use when planning interim analyses in equivalence trials.

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AlbuterolAsthmaBronchodilator AgentsComputer SimulationHumansModels, BiologicalNormal DistributionRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSalmeterol XinafoateSample SizeTherapeutic EquivalencyTime FactorsComparative StudyJournal Article

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H H Müller, H Schäfer. 1999-07-30. Optimization of testing times and critical values in sequential equivalence testing.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10407247/

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