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Three controlled trials of interventions to increase recruitment to a randomized controlled trial of mobile phone

Caroline Free1, Elizabeth Hoile, Steven Robertson

  • 1NPHIRU, LSHTM, London, UK. caroline.free@lshtm.ac.uk

Clinical Trials (London, England)
|May 21, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Interventions like text messages about online registration, a £5 incentive, and participant testimonials significantly boosted recruitment for the Txt2stop trial. These methods improved trial registrations and randomizations, addressing a key challenge in clinical research.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Trials
  • Health Services Research
  • Digital Health Interventions

Background:

  • Recruitment is a significant hurdle in clinical trials, with limited evidence on effective interventions.
  • The Txt2stop trial investigated three distinct interventions to enhance participant recruitment.
  • Understanding effective recruitment strategies is crucial for advancing medical research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of a text message promoting an online registration facility on trial registrations.
  • To evaluate the effect of a £5 financial incentive with a cover letter on trial randomizations.
  • To determine the influence of text messages featuring participant testimonials on trial randomizations.

Main Methods:

  • Three single-blind controlled trials with allocation concealment were conducted.
  • Interventions included promotional text messages, financial incentives, and testimonial-based text messages.
  • Control groups followed standard Txt2stop recruitment procedures.

Main Results:

  • A text message about online registration increased overall registrations but not specifically online registrations.
  • A £5 reimbursement significantly increased randomization rates (4.0% difference).
  • Text messages with participant quotes also significantly increased randomization rates (3.5% difference).

Conclusions:

  • Text messages promoting online registration can enhance trial registrations.
  • Financial incentives and participant testimonials are effective in increasing trial randomization.
  • These findings offer practical strategies to overcome recruitment challenges in clinical trials.

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