Interpretation of the single-case reporting guideline in behavioural interventions（SCRIBE 2016）_Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine

Authors：

KONG Xia ,  ZHU Jiajia ,  ZHU Jihua

Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; National Clinical Research Center for Children and Adolescents’ Health and Diseases, Hangzhou 310052, P. R. China;

Corresponding?author：

ZHU Jiajia, Email: 12318595@zju.edu.cn; ZHU Jihua, Email: jihuazhu@zju.edu.cn

Keywords：

Single-case experimental design; Behavioural intervention; Reporting guideline; SCRIBE 2016; Interpretation

DOI：

10.7507/1672-2531.202603004

Video：

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Single-case experimental design (SCED), which emphasizes within-subject causal inference, offers distinct advantages for evaluating individualized interventions and has been increasingly applied in behavioural intervention research in recent years. However, existing SCED studies still exhibit considerable variability in terminology, design implementation, and reporting completeness, which undermines research transparency, reproducibility, and the value of evidence synthesis. To improve the reporting quality of behavioural intervention-related SCED studies, the SCRIBE working group published the single-case reporting guideline in behavioural interventions (SCRIBE 2016), a 26-item reporting checklist, in 2016. This article reviews the development background and core contents of SCRIBE 2016, provides a systematic interpretation of its reporting items, and uses illustrative examples to clarify the meanings of relevant terms and key reporting requirements. It is intended to serve as a practical reference for Chinese researchers in understanding and applying SCRIBE 2016 and in improving the reporting quality of SCED studies in behavioural intervention research.

Citation： KONG Xia, ZHU Jiajia, ZHU Jihua. Interpretation of the single-case reporting guideline in behavioural interventions（SCRIBE 2016）. Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, 2026, 26(9): 1103-1110. doi: 10.7507/1672-2531.202603004 Copy

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2.	Machalicek W, Gross DP, Armijo-Olivo S, et al. The role of single case experimental designs in evidence creation in rehabilitation[J]. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med, 2024, 60(6): 1100-1111.
3.	Kazdin AE. Single-case experimental designs. Evaluating interventions in research and clinical practice[J]. Behav Res Ther, 2019, 117: 3-17.
4.	Soto PL. Single-case experimental designs for behavioral neuroscience[J]. J Exp Anal Behav, 2020, 114(3): 447-467.
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6.	McDonald S, Quinn F, Vieira R, et al. The state of the art and future opportunities for using longitudinal N-of-1 methods in health behaviour research: a systematic literature overview[J]. Health Psychol Rev, 2017, 11(4): 307-323.
7.	Smith JD. Single-case experimental designs: a systematic review of published research and current standards[J]. Psychol Methods, 2012, 17(4): 510-550.
8.	Maggin DM, Chafouleas SM, Goddard KM, et al. A systematic evaluation of token economies as a classroom management tool for students with challenging behavior[J]. J Sch Psychol, 2011, 49(5): 529-554.
9.	Tate RL, Perdices M, McDonald S, et al. The design, conduct and report of single-case research: resources to improve the quality of the neurorehabilitation literature[J]. Neuropsychol Rehabil, 2014, 24(3-4): 315-331.
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18.	Moher D, Schulz KF, Simera I, et al. Guidance for developers of health research reporting guidelines[J]. PLoS Med, 2010, 7(2): e1000217.
19.	Murry JW, Hammons JO. Delphi: a versatile methodology for conducting qualitative research[J]. Rev High Ed, 1995, 18(4): 423-436.
20.	Yorozuya K, Kubo Y, Fujii K, et al. Effect of digital game intervention on cognitive functions in older adults: a multiple baseline single case experimental design study[J]. BMC Geriatr, 2024, 24(1): 410.
21.	Miltenberger RG, Flessner C, Gatheridge B, et al. Evaluation of behavioral skills training to prevent gun play in children[J]. J Appl Behav Anal, 2004, 37(4): 513-516.
22.	Str?mbergsson S, Edlund E, Pettersson M, et al. Self-supervised app-based speech training for children with speech sound disorder-a single-case experimental design study[J]. Int J Lang Commun Disord, 2026, 61(1): e70163.
23.	Satoh M, Tabei KI, Abe M, et al. The correlation between a new online cognitive test (the brain assessment) and widely used in-person neuropsychological tests[J]. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord, 2021, 50(5): 473-481.
24.	Carroll C, Patterson M, Wood S, et al. A conceptual framework for implementation fidelity[J]. Implement Sci, 2007, 2(1): 40.
25.	Morris C, Jones SH, Oliveira JP. A practitioner’s guide to measuring procedural fidelity[J]. Behav Anal Pract, 2024, 17(2): 643-655.
26.	Iwashita H, Sohlberg MM, Machalicek W, et al. A single-case design study of collaborative interpersonal strategy building with audio reflection for improving social communication following acquired brain injury[J]. Am J Speech Lang Pathol, 2025, 34(3): 1086-1099.
27.	Parker RI, Vannest KJ, Davis JL. Effect size in single-case research: a review of nine nonoverlap techniques[J]. Behav Modif, 2011, 35(4): 303-322.
28.	Hedges LV, Pustejovsky JE, Shadish WR. A standardized mean difference effect size for single case designs[J]. Res Synth Methods, 2012, 3(3): 224-239.
29.	Shadish WR, Hedges LV, Pustejovsky JE, et al. A d-statistic for single-case designs that is equivalent to the usual between-groups d-statistic[J]. Neuropsychol Rehabil, 2014, 24(3-4): 528-553.
30.	Pustejovsky JE. Measurement-comparable effect sizes for single-case studies of free-operant behavior[J]. Psychol Methods, 2015, 20(3): 342-359.
31.	Pustejovsky JE. Using response ratios for meta-analyzing single-case designs with behavioral outcomes[J]. J Sch Psychol, 2018, 68: 99-112.
32.	Ioannidis JP, Evans SJ, G?tzsche PC, et al. Better reporting of harms in randomized trials: an extension of the CONSORT statement[J]. Ann Intern Med, 2004, 141(10): 781-788.
33.	Sekhon M, Cartwright M, Francis JJ. Acceptability of healthcare interventions: an overview of reviews and development of a theoretical framework[J]. BMC Health Serv Res, 2017, 17(1): 88.

1. Krasny-Pacini A, Evans J. Single-case experimental designs to assess intervention effectiveness in rehabilitation: a practical guide[J]. Ann Phys Rehabil Med, 2018, 61(3): 164-179.
2. Machalicek W, Gross DP, Armijo-Olivo S, et al. The role of single case experimental designs in evidence creation in rehabilitation[J]. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med, 2024, 60(6): 1100-1111.
3. Kazdin AE. Single-case experimental designs. Evaluating interventions in research and clinical practice[J]. Behav Res Ther, 2019, 117: 3-17.
4. Soto PL. Single-case experimental designs for behavioral neuroscience[J]. J Exp Anal Behav, 2020, 114(3): 447-467.
5. Horner RH, Carr EG, Halle J, et al. The use of single-subject research to identify evidence-based practice in special education[J]. Except Child, 2005, 71(2): 165-179.
6. McDonald S, Quinn F, Vieira R, et al. The state of the art and future opportunities for using longitudinal N-of-1 methods in health behaviour research: a systematic literature overview[J]. Health Psychol Rev, 2017, 11(4): 307-323.
7. Smith JD. Single-case experimental designs: a systematic review of published research and current standards[J]. Psychol Methods, 2012, 17(4): 510-550.
8. Maggin DM, Chafouleas SM, Goddard KM, et al. A systematic evaluation of token economies as a classroom management tool for students with challenging behavior[J]. J Sch Psychol, 2011, 49(5): 529-554.
9. Tate RL, Perdices M, McDonald S, et al. The design, conduct and report of single-case research: resources to improve the quality of the neurorehabilitation literature[J]. Neuropsychol Rehabil, 2014, 24(3-4): 315-331.
10. Shamseer L, Sampson M, Bukutu C, et al. CONSORT extension for reporting N-of-1 trials (CENT) 2015: explanation and elaboration[J]. J Clin Epidemiol, 2016, 76: 18-46.
11. Li J, Hu JY, Zhai JB, et al. CONSORT extension for reporting N-of-1 trials for traditional Chinese medicine (CENT for TCM): recommendations, explanation and elaboration[J]. Complement Ther Med, 2019, 46: 180-188.
12. 楊葛亮, 周小芹, 雷芳, 等. CONSORT 2025聲明: 隨機試驗報告指南更新解讀[J]. 中國胸心血管外科臨床雜志, 2025, 32(6): 752-759.
13. 趙晶晶, 龍泳, 劉學東. 2013臨床試驗方案規范指南(SPIRIT)及其解讀[J]. 中國循證兒科雜志, 2014, 9(5): 381-388.
14. 陳新林, 黃海茵, 張長榮, 等. 2015版CENT聲明簡介: 單病例隨機對照試驗報告指南[J]. 中國循證醫學雜志, 2016, 16(7): 860-863.
15. 李艷飛, 儲夏靜, 盧存存, 等. 單病例隨機對照試驗方案清單(SPENT 2019)解讀[J]. 中國循證醫學雜志, 2022, 22(4): 475-482.
16. 趙姵婷. 水中運動干預對重度孤獨癥兒童平衡能力的影響研究[D]. 重慶: 西南大學, 2024.
17. 莫明霞. 課堂規則故事干預孤獨癥譜系障礙兒童課堂問題行為的個案研究[D]. 重慶: 西南大學, 2021.
18. Moher D, Schulz KF, Simera I, et al. Guidance for developers of health research reporting guidelines[J]. PLoS Med, 2010, 7(2): e1000217.
19. Murry JW, Hammons JO. Delphi: a versatile methodology for conducting qualitative research[J]. Rev High Ed, 1995, 18(4): 423-436.
20. Yorozuya K, Kubo Y, Fujii K, et al. Effect of digital game intervention on cognitive functions in older adults: a multiple baseline single case experimental design study[J]. BMC Geriatr, 2024, 24(1): 410.
21. Miltenberger RG, Flessner C, Gatheridge B, et al. Evaluation of behavioral skills training to prevent gun play in children[J]. J Appl Behav Anal, 2004, 37(4): 513-516.
22. Str?mbergsson S, Edlund E, Pettersson M, et al. Self-supervised app-based speech training for children with speech sound disorder-a single-case experimental design study[J]. Int J Lang Commun Disord, 2026, 61(1): e70163.
23. Satoh M, Tabei KI, Abe M, et al. The correlation between a new online cognitive test (the brain assessment) and widely used in-person neuropsychological tests[J]. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord, 2021, 50(5): 473-481.
24. Carroll C, Patterson M, Wood S, et al. A conceptual framework for implementation fidelity[J]. Implement Sci, 2007, 2(1): 40.
25. Morris C, Jones SH, Oliveira JP. A practitioner’s guide to measuring procedural fidelity[J]. Behav Anal Pract, 2024, 17(2): 643-655.
26. Iwashita H, Sohlberg MM, Machalicek W, et al. A single-case design study of collaborative interpersonal strategy building with audio reflection for improving social communication following acquired brain injury[J]. Am J Speech Lang Pathol, 2025, 34(3): 1086-1099.
27. Parker RI, Vannest KJ, Davis JL. Effect size in single-case research: a review of nine nonoverlap techniques[J]. Behav Modif, 2011, 35(4): 303-322.
28. Hedges LV, Pustejovsky JE, Shadish WR. A standardized mean difference effect size for single case designs[J]. Res Synth Methods, 2012, 3(3): 224-239.
29. Shadish WR, Hedges LV, Pustejovsky JE, et al. A d-statistic for single-case designs that is equivalent to the usual between-groups d-statistic[J]. Neuropsychol Rehabil, 2014, 24(3-4): 528-553.
30. Pustejovsky JE. Measurement-comparable effect sizes for single-case studies of free-operant behavior[J]. Psychol Methods, 2015, 20(3): 342-359.
31. Pustejovsky JE. Using response ratios for meta-analyzing single-case designs with behavioral outcomes[J]. J Sch Psychol, 2018, 68: 99-112.
32. Ioannidis JP, Evans SJ, G?tzsche PC, et al. Better reporting of harms in randomized trials: an extension of the CONSORT statement[J]. Ann Intern Med, 2004, 141(10): 781-788.
33. Sekhon M, Cartwright M, Francis JJ. Acceptability of healthcare interventions: an overview of reviews and development of a theoretical framework[J]. BMC Health Serv Res, 2017, 17(1): 88.

Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine

Interpretation of the single-case reporting guideline in behavioural interventions（SCRIBE 2016）

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