Are normal healthy research volunteers psychologically healthy? A pilot investigation

Most new drug development in Phase I clinical trials relies on the use of "normal healthy research volunteers" (NHRVs); however, little is known about the personality functioning of these volunteers. Determining whether NHRVs are similar to or different from individuals with "normal" personalities can impact participant recruitment, group assignment, and statistical interpretation of study results. This pilot study was undertaken to gain insight into the demographics, personality functioning, and potential psychopathology of the volunteers who participated in a Phase I confinement clinical drug trial. NHRVs (N=28) in an all-male, Phase I clinical trial completed a battery of questions, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Fifty percent of the sample showed clinically significant elevations on at least one of the scales. Current findings need to be replicated and expanded through future research. Results must be interpreted with caution because of the small, all-male sample. This preliminary study suggests that there is a difference in personality functioning between NHRVs and the general population. In addition, NHRVs may purposefully distort or conceal self-report information when participating in studies.