Bringing Single-Case Experimental Designs Into Routine Care

Abstract

Abstract: Theoretical Background: Single-case experimental designs (SCEDs) are well-suited for evaluating clinical interventions in routine care and enable causal inference at the individual level through repeated measurement and systematic manipulation. Objectives: This study introduces a standardized SCED infrastructure based on the software m-Path integrated into a university outpatient clinic to enhance accessibility and usability. The SCED infrastructure is used for repeated measures in everyday life in routine clinical care and can also be easily applied to conduct SCED studies in research projects. Method: The protocol for routine clinical care involves repeated 2-week assessment periods (one per day) across waiting, diagnostic, therapy, post-therapy, and follow-up phases. Emotion regulation is assessed as a transdiagnostic process alongside idiographic problem and goal items. Patients access their data via a mobile app, while therapists use automated web-based visualizations for feedback discussions. User training includes patient onboarding and therapist workshops. Results: Feedback from focus groups, a stakeholder meeting, and expert interviews informed an updated business model and implementation framework. Conclusion: The SCED infrastructure supports person-centered, data-driven psychotherapy, empowering both patients and therapists as active scientist-practitioners.

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