Streamlining Participant Recruitment for TBI and PTSD Research Studies

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Clinical Research
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Participant recruitment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) studies presents significant challenges, often causing delays and failures.
• The Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (CNRM) Recruitment Core aimed to overcome these recruitment hurdles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement effective procedures for identifying, screening, and referring participants for TBI and PTSD research studies.
• To streamline the participant referral process and improve study enrollment timelines.

Main Methods:

• Participants were recruited from civilian hospitals, military facilities, and through community outreach.
• A centralized online database facilitated participant eligibility assessment and referral across multiple CNRM studies.
• Referrals occurred during initial enrollment, follow-up visits, or as needed for new study activations.

Main Results:

• As of October 2016, 1,040 participants from screening studies were assessed for eligibility in active CNRM studies.
• The streamlined referral process resulted in 197 total enrollments into other CNRM studies.
• Common exclusion criteria included age, injury characteristics, MRI contraindications, residency, and military status.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative efforts across disciplines and institutions, coupled with diverse recruitment media, were crucial for increasing enrollment and diversifying the participant pool.
• An optimized referral system significantly contributes to meeting study timelines and enrollment targets for TBI and PTSD research.