n-of-1 studies test hypotheses within individuals based on repeated measurement of variables within the individual over time. Intra-individual effects may differ from those found in between-participant studies. Using examples from a systematic review of n-of-1 studies in health behaviour research, this article provides a state of the art overview of the use of n-of-1 methods, organised according to key methodological considerations related to n-of-1 design and analysis, and describes future challenges and opportunities. A comprehensive search strategy (PROSPERO:CRD42014007258) was used to identify articles published between 2000 and 2016, reporting observational or interventional n-of-1 studies with health behaviour outcomes. Thirty-nine articles were identified which reported on n-of-1 observational designs and a range of n-of-1 interventional designs, including AB, ABA, ABABA, alternating treatments, n-of-1 randomised controlled trial, multiple baseline and changing criterion designs. Behaviours measured included treatment adherence, physical activity, drug/alcohol use, sleep, smoking and eating behaviour. Descriptive, visual or statistical analyses were used. We identify scope and opportunities for using n-of-1 methods to answer key questions in health behaviour research. n-of-1 methods provide the tools needed to help advance theoretical knowledge and personalise/tailor health behaviour interventions to individuals.

中文翻译：

---

在卫生行为研究中使用纵向n-of-1方法的最新技术和未来机会：系统的文献综述

n-of-1研究基于对个体内随时间变化的变量的重复测量来检验个体内的假设。个体内部效应可能与参加者之间的研究有所不同。本文使用对健康行为研究中n-of-1研究进行系统回顾的示例，根据与n-of-n相关的主要方法学考虑对n-of-1方法的使用进行了概述。 1设计和分析，并描述未来的挑战和机遇。使用全面的搜索策略（PROSPERO：CRD42014007258）来识别2000年至2016年之间发表的文章，报告观察性或介入性n-of-1研究与健康行为结果。确定了39篇文章，这些文章报告了n项1项观察性设计和一系列n项1项干预性设计，包括AB，ABA，ABABA，交替治疗，n项1项随机对照试验，多基线和不断变化的标准设计。测量的行为包括治疗依从性，体育锻炼，吸毒/酗酒，睡眠，吸烟和饮食行为。使用描述性，视觉或统计分析。我们确定使用n-of-1方法回答健康行为研究中的关键问题的范围和机会。n-of-1方法提供了帮助提高理论知识和个性化/量身定制健康行为干预措施所需的工具。测量的行为包括治疗依从性，体育锻炼，吸毒/酗酒，睡眠，吸烟和饮食行为。使用描述性，视觉或统计分析。我们确定使用n-of-1方法回答健康行为研究中的关键问题的范围和机会。n-of-1方法提供了帮助提高理论知识和个性化/量身定制健康行为干预措施所需的工具。测量的行为包括治疗依从性，体育锻炼，吸毒/酗酒，睡眠，吸烟和饮食行为。使用描述性，视觉或统计分析。我们确定使用n-of-1方法回答健康行为研究中的关键问题的范围和机会。n-of-1方法提供了帮助提高理论知识和个性化/量身定制健康行为干预措施所需的工具。