Getting the MOST out of Single-Case Experimental Intervention Development: An Application of the Multiphase Optimization STrategy

The article titled “Getting the MOST out of Single-Case Experimental Intervention Development: An Application of the Multiphase Optimization STrategy” by Hampton, Chow, Lane, and Ledford explores how the Multiphase Optimization STrategy (MOST) can be integrated with single-case experimental designs (SCEDs) to improve the development of behavioural interventions.

MOST is an engineering-inspired framework that aims to optimise interventions through three sequential phases: screening, refining, and confirming. Traditionally, these phases have relied heavily on group-based research designs. The authors argue that SCEDs offer several complementary advantages, particularly during the screening and refining phases, by enabling repeated measurement, experimental control, and rapid evaluation of individual intervention components.

The paper highlights how integrating SCEDs within the MOST framework can support the development of adaptive and personalised interventions. By allowing researchers to systematically evaluate intervention components within individuals, SCEDs can help identify the most effective and efficient combinations before larger confirmatory studies are undertaken. The authors also discuss the value of this approach for populations that are often underrepresented in traditional group-based research, where individual variability may be substantial and recruitment into large trials can be challenging.

Rather than positioning SCEDs as an alternative to randomised group designs, the paper demonstrates how the two approaches can work together to strengthen intervention development. This perspective provides a valuable framework for researchers seeking to accelerate the development of evidence-based, equitable, and personalised interventions.

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Full reference: Hampton, L. H., Chow, J. C., Lane, J. D., & Ledford, J. R. (2026). Getting the MOST out of Single-Case Experimental Intervention Development: An Application of the Multiphase Optimization STrategy. Journal of Behavioral Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-026-09634-x