Our case study successfully enabled us to address the four feasibility metrics , and we provide new information on management feasibility ( i.e. estimate data completeness and estimate data entry ) and scientific outcomes feasibility ( i.e. determining data collection material s appropriateness ) .
Conclusion Our review highlights the existing research and provides a case study which assesses important metrics of study feasibility .
Background Much research has been undertaken to establish the important benefits of physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis ( MS ) .
There is disagreement regarding the strength of this research , perhaps because the majority of studies on physical activity and its benefits have not undergone initial and systematic feasibility testing .
We aim to address the feasibility processes that have been examined within the context of physical activity interventions in MS .
Defining Feasibility and Pilot Studies in Preparation for Randomised Controlled Trials: Development of a Conceptual Framework
We describe a framework for defining  pilot and feasibility studies  focusing on studies conducted in preparation for a r and omised controlled trial . To develop the framework , we undertook a Delphi survey ; ran an open meeting at a trial methodology conference ; conducted a review of definitions outside the health research context ; consulted experts at an international consensus meeting ; and review ed 27 empirical pilot or feasibility studies . We initially adopted mutually exclusive definitions of pilot and feasibility studies . However , some Delphi survey respondents and the majority of open meeting attendees disagreed with the idea of mutually exclusive definitions . Their viewpoint was supported by definitions outside the health research context , the use of the terms ‘ pilot ’ and ‘ feasibility ’ in the literature , and participants at the international consensus meeting . In our framework , pilot studies are a subset of feasibility studies , rather than the two being mutually exclusive . A feasibility study asks whether something can be done , should we proceed with it , and if so , how . A pilot study asks the same questions but also has a specific design feature : in a pilot study a future study , or part of a future study , is conducted on a smaller scale . We suggest that to facilitate their identification , these studies should be clearly identified using the terms ‘ feasibility ’ or ‘ pilot ’ as appropriate . This should include feasibility studies that are largely qualitative ; we found these difficult to identify in electronic search es because research ers rarely used the term ‘ feasibility ’ in the title or abstract of such studies . Investigators should also report appropriate objectives and methods related to feasibility ; and give clear confirmation that their study is in preparation for a future r and omised controlled trial design ed to assess the effect of an intervention
Our case study successfully enabled us to address the four feasibility metrics , and we provide new information on management feasibility ( i.e. estimate data completeness and estimate data entry ) and scientific outcomes feasibility ( i.e. determining data collection material s appropriateness ) .
Conclusion Our review highlights the existing research and provides a case study which assesses important metrics of study feasibility .
Background Much research has been undertaken to establish the important benefits of physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis ( MS ) .
There is disagreement regarding the strength of this research , perhaps because the majority of studies on physical activity and its benefits have not undergone initial and systematic feasibility testing .
We aim to address the feasibility processes that have been examined within the context of physical activity interventions in MS .