Clinical Research Network (CRN) update #8: meeting recruitment goals in clinical research--lessons learned (Part Three).This month's focus is on the unique recruitment and retention strategies developed by the third project of the CRN CRN Computer Reseller News CRN Crown CRN Council for Responsible Nutrition CRN Crane CRN Community Recycling Network CRN Course Reference Number CRN Center for Responsible Nanotechnology CRN Cornish (SIL code, UK) , Strengthening and Optimal Movements for Painful Shoulders in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Spinal Cord Injury Definition Spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that causes loss of sensation and motor control. Description Approximately 10,000 new spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur each year in the United States. (STOMPS STOMPS Stand-Alone Tactical Operational Message Processing System ). STOMPS is evaluating the effectiveness of a combined program of shoulder exercise and an optimization-of-performance technique in reducing pain, increasing performance, and improving health-related and overall quality of life in people with chronic spinal cord injury who use wheelchairs. The recruitment goal of 80 was achieved. Unique recruitment and retention steps taken included: Treatment Flexibility * The treatment was designed as a home therapy program requiring the patient to visit the clinic only twice. During the first visit, the participant received an individualized in·di·vid·u·al·ize tr.v. in·di·vid·u·al·ized, in·di·vid·u·al·iz·ing, in·di·vid·u·al·iz·es 1. To give individuality to. 2. To consider or treat individually; particularize. 3. exercise program. Six weeks later, a second follow-up visit was required to modify the exercise program if necessary. The interventions were designed to be flexible, portable, and short in duration. Education * STOMPS is a clinical trial designed to reduce a secondary condition of shoulder pain. Some individuals with spinal cord injury both accept and expect pain as an unavoidable consequence of their primary disability. To motivate subjects to participate in the study, investigators educated them about pain, explaining that it is not normal or expected and can be treated. Additional Treatment * For the study, all participants were randomized ran·dom·ize tr.v. ran·dom·ized, ran·dom·iz·ing, ran·dom·iz·es To make random in arrangement, especially in order to control the variables in an experiment. to one of two groups, an exercise group or an education group. To encourage participation, candidate subjects were offered the opportunity to receive the other treatment (exercise or education) at the end of the intervention. Because a portion of the subjects were recruited from a clinic where they had sought medical attention to alleviate their shoulder pain, many wanted immediate treatment. The benefits of the project as a coordinated program of care (exercise/movement optimization and education) had to be strongly highlighted to encourage participation. At the end of the study, approximately 50% of those included in the education group did take advantage of the offer of additional treatment and received the exercise program. Next month's update will report on the unique recruitment and retention strategies developed by the last CRN project, Muscle-Specific Strengthening Effectiveness Post Lumbar lumbar /lum·bar/ (lum´bar) pertaining to the loins. lum·bar adj. Of, near, or situated in the part of the back and sides between the lowest ribs and the pelvis. Microdiscectomy (MUSSEL mussel, edible freshwater or marine bivalve mollusk. Mussels are able to move slowly by means of the muscular foot. They feed and breathe by filtering water through extensible tubes called siphons; a large mussel filters 10 gal (38 liters) of water per day. ). [DOI (Digital Object Identifier) A method of applying a persistent name to documents, publications and other resources on the Internet rather than using a URL, which can change over time. : 10.2522/ptj.2006.86.10.1454] |
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