Relationship of study participation to health-related behaviors

This study explores the ways in which clinical trial participation influences a person's health and health-promoting behaviors. Active study subjects with a minimum of 4 months' clinical trial participation were mailed a nurse-developed questionnaire. Seventy-three percent of the targeted group returned the survey by the deadline. The majority of respondents made changes toward better health. Diet modification, initiation of an exercise program, and smoking cessation were the changes cited most frequently. The study team was found to be influential in promotion of health. The nurse, the pivotal member of the team, provided subjects with the most health-related information. Most respondents believed they had enough information to change behaviors detrimental to health.