Dr Munya Dimairo
BSc (Hons) (Statistics), MSc (Medical Statistics), PhD (Medical Statistics)
School of Health and Related Research
Research Fellow
+44 114 222 5204
Full contact details
School of Health and Related Research
3.06
The Innovation Centre
217 Portobello
Sheffield
S1 4DP
- Profile
-
My vast research interests are in innovative clinical trials statistical methodology. I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Statistics from the University of Zimbabwe, an MSc in Medical Statistics from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine funded by Wellcome Trust and a PhD in Medical Statistics from the University of Sheffield funded by NIHR as part of a Doctoral Research Fellowship (DRF-2012-05-182). My PhD investigated “The Utility of Adaptive Designs in Publicly Funded Confirmatory Trials”. I am involved in proposal development, clinical trials statistical support of a number of trials within the Sheffield Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU), and research on innovative statistical methods to improve efficiency in the design and conduct of clinical trials. I am currently leading two adaptive designs projects: the development of a CONSORT extension to enhance the reporting of adaptive clinical trials in collaboration with international researchers, CONSORT Executive Group, and MRC/NIHR TMRP Adaptive Designs Working Group (The ACE Project); and the development of an online practical educational platform on adaptive designs (The PANDA project).
I am based in the Design, Trials and Statistics (DTS) section within ScHARR.
Current and Previous Trials
- The PANDA Project: Practical Adaptive & Novel Designs and Analysis Toolkit
- The ACE Project: Adaptive Designs CONSORT Extension
- Big CACTUS: A study to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of aphasia computer treatment versus usual stimulation or attention control long term post stroke (CACTUS)
- Endometrial Scratch: The Endometrial Scratch Trial
- OPTION-DM: Optimal Pathway for TreatIng neurOpathic paiN in Diabetes Mellitus trial
- REPOSE: The Relative Effectiveness of Pumps over MDI and Structured Education for Type-1 Diabetes
- Booster Trial: A randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness evaluation of 'booster' interventions to sustain increases in physical activity in middle-aged adults in deprived urban neighbourhoods
- CACTUS: Evaluating the cost effectiveness of computer therapy compared with usual stimulation for people with long standing aphasia: a pilot study
- CoSMoS: CBT Software for the treatment of depression in people with MS
- MICA: Early Phase Dose-finding Trials: Development of reporting guidance to improve knowledge transfer
- Costing Adaptive Trials (CAT): developing best practice for CTUs supporting adaptive trials
- MISSIONED: Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Epidermolysis Bullosa Call: 18/129 Mesenchymal Intravenous Stromal cell Infusions in children with recessive dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa
- STOP-OHSS: A feasibility study and randomised controlled trial, with internal pilot, to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of earlier active management of OHS
- Research interests
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- Clinical trials methodology
- Adaptive designs, especially group sequential methods and treatment selection in multi-arm trials
- Transparency and reporting of adaptive trials
- Statistical issues around the application of a stepped wedge trial design
- Diagnostic accuracy studies
- Hierarchical or Multilevel modelling
- Multiple imputation techniques in dealing with missing data
- Bayesian inference in small clinical trials
- Publications
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Show: Featured publications All publications
Featured publications
Journal articles
- Self-managed, computerised word finding therapy as an add-on to usual care for chronic aphasia post-stroke : an economic evaluation. Clinical Rehabilitation. View this article in WRRO
- The adaptive designs CONSORT extension (ACE) statement: a checklist with explanation and elaboration guideline for reporting randomised trials that use an adaptive design. Trials, 21(1). View this article in WRRO
- The Adaptive designs CONSORT Extension (ACE) statement: a checklist with explanation and elaboration guideline for reporting randomised trials that use an adaptive design. BMJ, 369. View this article in WRRO
- Computerised speech and language therapy or attention control added to usual care for people with long-term post-stroke aphasia : the Big CACTUS three-arm RCT. Health Technology Assessment, 24(19), 1-176. View this article in WRRO
- Self-managed, computerised speech and language therapy for patients with chronic aphasia post-stroke compared with usual care or attention control (Big CACTUS) : a multicentre, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Neurology, 18(9), 821-833. View this article in WRRO
- A review of perspectives on the use of randomization in phase II oncology trials. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute. View this article in WRRO
- Delphi consensus reached to produce a decision tool for SelecTing Approaches forRapid Reviews (STARR). Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. View this article in WRRO
- Development process of a consensus-driven CONSORT extension for randomised trials using an adaptive design. BMC Medicine, 16. View this article in WRRO
- Appropriate statistical methods for analysing partially nested randomised controlled trials with continuous outcomes: a simulation study.. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18(1), 105-105. View this article in WRRO
- Adaptive designs in clinical trials: why use them, and how to run and report them. BMC Medicine, 16. View this article in WRRO
- A cluster randomised trial, cost-effectiveness analysis and psychosocial evaluation of insulin pump therapy compared with multiple injections during flexible intensive insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes: the REPOSE Trial. Health Technology Assessment, 21(20), 1-278. View this article in WRRO
- Relative effectiveness of insulin pump treatment over multiple daily injections and structured education during flexible intensive insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes: cluster randomised trial (REPOSE). BMJ, 356. View this article in WRRO
- Informing efficient randomised controlled trials: Exploration of challenges in developing progression criteria for internal pilot studies. BMJ Open, 7(e013537). View this article in WRRO
- Recommendations for the analysis of individually randomised controlled trials with clustering in one arm – a case of continuous outcomes. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 16. View this article in WRRO
- Adaptive designs undertaken in clinical research: a review of registered clinical trials. Trials, 17(1). View this article in WRRO
- Missing steps in a staircase: a qualitative study of the perspectives of key stakeholders on the use of adaptive designs in confirmatory trials. Trials, 16(1). View this article in WRRO
- Cross-sector surveys assessing perceptions of key stakeholders towards barriers, concerns and facilitators to the appropriate use of adaptive designs in confirmatory trials. Trials, 16(1). View this article in WRRO
- Sample size requirements to estimate key design parameters from external pilot randomised controlled trials: a simulation study. Trials, 15(1), 264-264. View this article in WRRO
- A randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness evaluation of 'booster' interventions to sustain increases in physical activity in middle-aged adults in deprived urban neighbourhoods.. Health Technol Assess, 18(13), 1-210.
- Risk factors for mortality in smear-negative tuberculosis suspects: A cohort study in Harare, Zimbabwe. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 15(10), 1390-1396.
- Skin disease among human immunodeficiency virus-infected adolescents in Zimbabwe: a strong indicator of underlying HIV infection.. Pediatr Infect Dis J, 29(4), 346-351.
- The risk and timing of tuberculosis diagnosed in smear-negative TB suspects: A 12 month cohort study in Harare, Zimbabwe. PLoS ONE, 5(7). View this article in WRRO
- An Investigation of the Shortcomings of the CONSORT 2010 Statement for the Reporting of Group Sequential Randomised Controlled Trials: A Methodological Systematic Review. PLOS ONE, 10(11), e0141104-e0141104. View this article in WRRO
Conference proceedings papers
- Meandering journey towards routine trial adaptation: survey results on barriers to use of adaptive designs in confirmatory trials. Trials, Vol. 16(S2) View this article in WRRO
- Investigation of the shortcomings of the consort 2010 statement for the reporting of group sequential randomised controlled trials. Trials, Vol. 16(S2) View this article in WRRO
- Sample size determination through power simulation; practical lessons from a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial (SW CRT).. Trials, Vol. 12 Suppl 1 (pp A26)
Website content
Posters
- View this article in WRRO
Theses / Dissertations
All publications
Journal articles
- Self-managed, computerised word finding therapy as an add-on to usual care for chronic aphasia post-stroke : an economic evaluation. Clinical Rehabilitation. View this article in WRRO
- Non-randomised studies should be considered for assessing surgical techniques in rectal prolapse : prospective cohort study. Colorectal Disease. View this article in WRRO
- The adaptive designs CONSORT extension (ACE) statement: a checklist with explanation and elaboration guideline for reporting randomised trials that use an adaptive design. Trials, 21(1). View this article in WRRO
- The Adaptive designs CONSORT Extension (ACE) statement: a checklist with explanation and elaboration guideline for reporting randomised trials that use an adaptive design. BMJ, 369. View this article in WRRO
- Computerised speech and language therapy or attention control added to usual care for people with long-term post-stroke aphasia : the Big CACTUS three-arm RCT. Health Technology Assessment, 24(19), 1-176. View this article in WRRO
- Self-managed, computerised speech and language therapy for patients with chronic aphasia post-stroke compared with usual care or attention control (Big CACTUS) : a multicentre, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Neurology, 18(9), 821-833. View this article in WRRO
- A review of perspectives on the use of randomization in phase II oncology trials. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute. View this article in WRRO
- Delphi consensus reached to produce a decision tool for SelecTing Approaches forRapid Reviews (STARR). Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. View this article in WRRO
- Development process of a consensus-driven CONSORT extension for randomised trials using an adaptive design. BMC Medicine, 16. View this article in WRRO
- Appropriate statistical methods for analysing partially nested randomised controlled trials with continuous outcomes: a simulation study.. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18(1), 105-105. View this article in WRRO
- Cost-effectiveness of insulin pumps compared with multiple daily injections both provided with structured education for adults with type 1 diabetes: a health economic analysis of the Relative Effectiveness of Pumps over Structured Education (REPOSE) randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 8(4). View this article in WRRO
- Adaptive designs in clinical trials: why use them, and how to run and report them. BMC Medicine, 16. View this article in WRRO
- Physiotherapy for Patients with Sciatica Awaiting Lumbar Micro-discectomy Surgery: A Nested, Qualitative Study of Patients' Views and Experiences. European Spine Journal, 22(3). View this article in WRRO
- A cluster randomised trial, cost-effectiveness analysis and psychosocial evaluation of insulin pump therapy compared with multiple injections during flexible intensive insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes: the REPOSE Trial. Health Technology Assessment, 21(20), 1-278. View this article in WRRO
- Relative effectiveness of insulin pump treatment over multiple daily injections and structured education during flexible intensive insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes: cluster randomised trial (REPOSE). BMJ, 356. View this article in WRRO
- Informing efficient randomised controlled trials: Exploration of challenges in developing progression criteria for internal pilot studies. BMJ Open, 7(e013537). View this article in WRRO
- Recommendations for the analysis of individually randomised controlled trials with clustering in one arm – a case of continuous outcomes. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 16. View this article in WRRO
- Adaptive designs undertaken in clinical research: a review of registered clinical trials. Trials, 17(1). View this article in WRRO
- Who gains clinical benefit from using insulin pump therapy? A qualitative study of the perceptions and views of health professionals involved in the Relative Effectiveness of Pumps over MDI and Structured Education (REPOSE) trial. Diabetic Medicine, 33(2), 243-251.
- Missing steps in a staircase: a qualitative study of the perspectives of key stakeholders on the use of adaptive designs in confirmatory trials. Trials, 16(1). View this article in WRRO
- Cross-sector surveys assessing perceptions of key stakeholders towards barriers, concerns and facilitators to the appropriate use of adaptive designs in confirmatory trials. Trials, 16(1). View this article in WRRO
- Sample size requirements to estimate key design parameters from external pilot randomised controlled trials: a simulation study. Trials, 15(1), 264-264. View this article in WRRO
- A randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness evaluation of 'booster' interventions to sustain increases in physical activity in middle-aged adults in deprived urban neighbourhoods.. Health Technol Assess, 18(13), 1-210.
- Sample size requirements for pilot randomised controlled trials with continuous outcomes: a simulation study. Trials, 14(Suppl 1), 46.
- Exploring the relationship between baseline physical activity levels and mortality reduction associated with increases in physical activity: a modelling study.. BMJ Open, 3(10), e003509. View this article in WRRO
- Sample size requirements for pilot randomised controlled trials with binary outcomes: a simulation study. Trials, 14(Suppl 1), O21.
- Computer therapy compared with usual care for people with long-standing aphasia poststroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial.. Stroke, 43(7), 1904-1911.
- Computerised cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of depression in people with multiple sclerosis: external pilot trial.. Trials, 12, 259. View this article in WRRO
- "Booster" interventions to sustain increases in physical activity in middle-aged adults in deprived urban neighbourhoods: internal pilot and feasibility study.. BMC Public Health, 11, 129. View this article in WRRO
- Risk factors for mortality in smear-negative tuberculosis suspects: A cohort study in Harare, Zimbabwe. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 15(10), 1390-1396.
- Skin disease among human immunodeficiency virus-infected adolescents in Zimbabwe: a strong indicator of underlying HIV infection.. Pediatr Infect Dis J, 29(4), 346-351.
- The risk and timing of tuberculosis diagnosed in smear-negative TB suspects: A 12 month cohort study in Harare, Zimbabwe. PLoS ONE, 5(7). View this article in WRRO
- An Investigation of the Shortcomings of the CONSORT 2010 Statement for the Reporting of Group Sequential Randomised Controlled Trials: A Methodological Systematic Review. PLOS ONE, 10(11), e0141104-e0141104. View this article in WRRO
Conference proceedings papers
- Introducing the adaptive designs CONSORT extension (ACE) statement to improve reporting of randomised trials that use an adaptive design. Trials, Vol. 20(Supplement 1) (pp 2-3). Brighton, UK, 6 October 2019 - 9 October 2019. View this article in WRRO
- Erratum to: Researching Complex Interventions in Health: The State of the Art. BMC Health Services Research, Vol. 16(1) View this article in WRRO
- Meandering journey towards routine trial adaptation: survey results on barriers to use of adaptive designs in confirmatory trials. Trials, Vol. 16(S2) View this article in WRRO
- Investigation of the shortcomings of the consort 2010 statement for the reporting of group sequential randomised controlled trials. Trials, Vol. 16(S2) View this article in WRRO
- Sample size determination through power simulation; practical lessons from a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial (SW CRT).. Trials, Vol. 12 Suppl 1 (pp A26)
- A phase II, randomized, open-label, pilot study to evaluate the safety and the effects on bone resorption of saracatinib (AZD0530) in patients with prostate cancer or breast cancer with metastatic bone disease. BONE, Vol. 48(1) (pp S17-S17)
Website content
- Adaptive designs CONSORT Extension: draft checklist for round 1 Delphi survey.
- Adaptive designs CONSORT Extension: Consensus meeting report.
- Adaptive designs CONSORT Extension: draft checklist for round 2 Delphi survey.
- Adaptive designs CONSORT Extension: Reports and summary of the open-ended feedback from Delphi survey rounds.
- Development of a CONSORT Extension for adaptive clinical trials.
Posters
- View this article in WRRO
Theses / Dissertations
Datasets
- Self-managed, computerised word finding therapy as an add-on to usual care for chronic aphasia post-stroke : an economic evaluation. Clinical Rehabilitation. View this article in WRRO
- Grants
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- NIHR CTU Support Funding: Practical Adaptive & Novel Designs and Analysis (PANDA) Toolkit (The PANDA project). Lead Investigator in collaboration with University of Sheffield colleagues, Cardiff University, Lancaster University, University College London, and the University of Western Australia (££98,886).
- NIHR CTU Support Funding: The development of a CONSORT guidance tailored for adaptive clinical trials (The ACE Project). Lead Investigator in collaboration with the MRC HTMR Adaptive Designs Working Group, CONSORT Group and international researchers (£50,000)
- NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship (PDF, 58KB) (DRF-2012-05-182): Utility of adaptive designs in publicly funded trials; PI: Dimairo M; Co-applicants and supervisors: Prof Julious SA, Prof Nicholl J and Prof Todd SC. £206,221
- Wellcome Trust: Masters Fellowship in Public Health and Tropical Medicine at LSHTM; PI: Dimairo M; Co-applicants and supervisors; Corbett EL and Fielding K. £75,919
- NIHR RfPB: Can Physiotherapy effectively treat patients with Lumbar Radicular Syndrome secondary to MRI demonstrable disc prolapse? A preliminary randomised trial of patients awaiting lumbar micro-discectomy. Co-Principal Investigators; Newsome R and Reddington M; Co Investigators: Breakwell L, Chiverton N, Cole A, Boote J, Dimairo M. £197,129
- CLAHRC South Yorkshire: Nutritional Rehabilitation in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - A randomised controlled pilot trial. Kyi M, Parker S, Dimairo M. £28,170
- Professional activities
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- Reviewer of grant proposals for publicly funding bodies (NIHR and MRC)
- Trials Associate Editor
- Independent TSC and DMEC Trial Statistician
- Independent reviewer for a number of journals including BMJ, BMJ Open, The Lancet, The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Trials, and Pilot and Feasibility Studies
- Member of the MRC HTMR ADWG
- Advisory board member of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on adaptive trials in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC)