Abstract
Background: Recruiting older adults into clinical trials can be particularly challenging. Our objective was to determine if targeted web-based advertising is an effective recruitment strategy. Methods: We compared the recruitment rates of traditional and targeted web-based methods for three representative clinical trials involving older adults. All studies utilized traditional recruitment methods initially, but shifted toward primarily targeted web-based advertising after experiencing slow recruitment rates. Results: We found that web-based advertising reached more individuals compared to traditional methods. Compared to traditional methods, web-based methods also had at least twice the rate of expressed interest, completion of telephone and in-person screening, eligibility, and enrollment. Additionally, the proportion of individuals excluded after the telephone screening did not differ according to whether targeted web-based advertising (STAMINA: 51%; Berries and Steps: 62%; ISTIM: 20%) or traditional methods (STAMINA: 48%; Berries and Steps: 69%; ISTIM: 23%) were used within each study. Those recruited using web-based advertisements tended to be younger compared to traditional methods, but were similar in racial distribution and education. Conclusion: Targeted web-based advertisements may be more effective in recruiting older adults for clinical trials at a faster rate than traditional recruitment methods, but need further evaluation of compatible study designs, potential population bias, and cost-effectiveness.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 182-192 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of the American Geriatrics Society |
Volume | 73 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2025 |
Keywords
- aging
- clinical trials
- online advertising
- recruitment
- research methods
- Advertising/methods
- Humans
- Male
- Patient Selection
- Aged, 80 and over
- Female
- Aged
- Internet
- Clinical Trials as Topic/methods
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geriatrics and Gerontology