Using Participatory Methods to Create Informational Videos for Inclusive Brain Stimulation Research Recruitment:...

Area of Science:

• Neuromodulation and Pain Research
• Health Disparities in Chronic Pain Management
• Clinical Trial Recruitment Strategies

Background:

• Black and Hispanic/Latino communities face higher chronic pain burdens and are underrepresented in pain research.
• Noninvasive brain stimulation techniques like transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) show promise for pain management.
• Enhancing diversity in research is crucial for generalizable findings and equitable access to pain relief interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and test culturally inclusive informational videos for recruiting diverse participants into brain stimulation research.
• To address barriers in Black and Hispanic/Latino community representation within pain research.

Main Methods:

• Community participatory research principles were employed, engaging diverse stakeholders including patients with chronic pain and neuromodulation researchers.
• Iterative feedback through focus groups and interviews informed the development of recruitment videos for taVNS and TMS.
• A pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of these videos on participant pain relief expectations.

Main Results:

• Informational videos received positive feedback from 25 community members with chronic pain.
• In a pilot RCT with 28 participants, viewing recruitment videos did not significantly alter pain relief expectations compared to traditional brochures (P=.8).

Conclusions:

• Culturally tailored videos can enhance engagement in neuromodulation research without unduly influencing participant expectations.
• These freely available videos offer a valuable tool for improving research participation among diverse populations.
• Increased diversity in research is essential for advancing pain management and ensuring equitable benefits from novel therapies.