Back to: N-of-1 Trials: A scientist in your back pocket

As you can see, N-of-1 trials have the potential to encourage powerful behavior changes as well as collect valuable scientific data. In this era of mobile technology, N-of-1 trials can capture information on a range of health outcomes and offer actionable data in real time. 

There are also commercial applications for this approach, which would appeal to a growing audience of app users who are interested in help with self-care, nutrition, and exercise. The benefit of N-of-1 apps versus others on the market is that these trials are based on a scientific approach, and use algorithms designed by healthcare experts. 

However, for N-of-1 trials to reach their full potential, researchers need the help of collaborators from outside academia, especially those with expertise in graphic design, app development, user interfaces, and data visualization. 

The success of N-of-1 trials depends on their usability. The more researchers can design interfaces that are easy to use and understand, the more likely it will be that patients (and anyone interested in improving their health) will use them.