Three behavior change theory–informed randomized studies within a trial to improve response rates to trial postal questionnaires

Beatriz Goulao; Anne Duncan; Ruth Floate; Jan Clarkson; Craig Ramsay

doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.01.018

Three behavior change theory–informed randomized studies within a trial to improve response rates to trial postal questionnaires

Beatriz Goulao^* (Corresponding Author), Anne Duncan, Ruth Floate, Jan Clarkson, Craig Ramsay

^*Corresponding author for this work

University of Dundee

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

7 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to design and evaluate a novel behaviour change approach to increase response rates to an annual postal questionnaire in three randomised Studies within a Trial (SWATs) and replicate the most promising SWAT.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: SWAT1 tested a trial logo sticker on questionnaire envelopes vs no sticker; SWAT2 tested a theoretically informed letter sent with the questionnaire versus a standard letter; SWAT3 tested a theoretically informed newsletter sent prior to the questionnaire versus no newsletter. The SWATs were conducted within a large dental trial (N=1,877 adults) and SWAT2 replicated in a different trial in a similar setting (N=2,372).

RESULTS: SWAT1 improved response rates by 1.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-7.2%, 10.0%). SWAT2 improved response rates by 7.0%, 95% CI (1.7%, 12.3%). SWAT3 improved response rates by 0.8%, 95% CI (-5.1%, 6.7%). Replication of SWAT2 as the most promising SWAT showed improvement in response rates of 1.0%, 95% CI (-3.2%, 5.3%). Pooled results from SWAT2 showed an overall improvement in response rates of 3.4%, 95% CI (0.1%, 6.7%).

CONCLUSION: A theory-based behavioural approach to design interventions to improve trial response rates showed small, but meaningful improvements. The approach presented here can be easily implemented and adapted to address other identified barriers to trial retention.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	35-41
Number of pages	7
Journal	Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume	122
Early online date	4 Feb 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.01.018
Publication status	Published - Jun 2020

Bibliographical note

IQuaD was funded by the NIHR HTA (project 09/01/45). INTERVAL was funded by the NIHR HTA (project 06/35/99). No additional funding was obtained to conduct the randomised studies with the trials. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. The Health Services Research Unit is funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates.

Keywords

Attrition
Behavioural intervention
Dentistry
Randomized controlled trials
Retention
Study within a trial
Theoretical Domains Framework

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Goulao_etal_JCE_Three-behaviour_AAM
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Accepted author manuscript, 506 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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title = "Three behavior change theory–informed randomized studies within a trial to improve response rates to trial postal questionnaires",

abstract = "OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to design and evaluate a novel behaviour change approach to increase response rates to an annual postal questionnaire in three randomised Studies within a Trial (SWATs) and replicate the most promising SWAT.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: SWAT1 tested a trial logo sticker on questionnaire envelopes vs no sticker; SWAT2 tested a theoretically informed letter sent with the questionnaire versus a standard letter; SWAT3 tested a theoretically informed newsletter sent prior to the questionnaire versus no newsletter. The SWATs were conducted within a large dental trial (N=1,877 adults) and SWAT2 replicated in a different trial in a similar setting (N=2,372).RESULTS: SWAT1 improved response rates by 1.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-7.2%, 10.0%). SWAT2 improved response rates by 7.0%, 95% CI (1.7%, 12.3%). SWAT3 improved response rates by 0.8%, 95% CI (-5.1%, 6.7%). Replication of SWAT2 as the most promising SWAT showed improvement in response rates of 1.0%, 95% CI (-3.2%, 5.3%). Pooled results from SWAT2 showed an overall improvement in response rates of 3.4%, 95% CI (0.1%, 6.7%).CONCLUSION: A theory-based behavioural approach to design interventions to improve trial response rates showed small, but meaningful improvements. The approach presented here can be easily implemented and adapted to address other identified barriers to trial retention.",

keywords = "Attrition, Behavioural intervention, Dentistry, Randomized controlled trials, Retention, Study within a trial, Theoretical Domains Framework",

author = "Beatriz Goulao and Anne Duncan and Ruth Floate and Jan Clarkson and Craig Ramsay",

note = "IQuaD was funded by the NIHR HTA (project 09/01/45). INTERVAL was funded by the NIHR HTA (project 06/35/99). No additional funding was obtained to conduct the randomised studies with the trials. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. The Health Services Research Unit is funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates. ",

year = "2020",

month = jun,

doi = "10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.01.018",

language = "English",

volume = "122",

pages = "35--41",

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AU - Goulao, Beatriz

AU - Duncan, Anne

AU - Floate, Ruth

AU - Clarkson, Jan

AU - Ramsay, Craig

N1 - IQuaD was funded by the NIHR HTA (project 09/01/45). INTERVAL was funded by the NIHR HTA (project 06/35/99). No additional funding was obtained to conduct the randomised studies with the trials. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. The Health Services Research Unit is funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates.

PY - 2020/6

Y1 - 2020/6

N2 - OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to design and evaluate a novel behaviour change approach to increase response rates to an annual postal questionnaire in three randomised Studies within a Trial (SWATs) and replicate the most promising SWAT.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: SWAT1 tested a trial logo sticker on questionnaire envelopes vs no sticker; SWAT2 tested a theoretically informed letter sent with the questionnaire versus a standard letter; SWAT3 tested a theoretically informed newsletter sent prior to the questionnaire versus no newsletter. The SWATs were conducted within a large dental trial (N=1,877 adults) and SWAT2 replicated in a different trial in a similar setting (N=2,372).RESULTS: SWAT1 improved response rates by 1.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-7.2%, 10.0%). SWAT2 improved response rates by 7.0%, 95% CI (1.7%, 12.3%). SWAT3 improved response rates by 0.8%, 95% CI (-5.1%, 6.7%). Replication of SWAT2 as the most promising SWAT showed improvement in response rates of 1.0%, 95% CI (-3.2%, 5.3%). Pooled results from SWAT2 showed an overall improvement in response rates of 3.4%, 95% CI (0.1%, 6.7%).CONCLUSION: A theory-based behavioural approach to design interventions to improve trial response rates showed small, but meaningful improvements. The approach presented here can be easily implemented and adapted to address other identified barriers to trial retention.

AB - OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to design and evaluate a novel behaviour change approach to increase response rates to an annual postal questionnaire in three randomised Studies within a Trial (SWATs) and replicate the most promising SWAT.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: SWAT1 tested a trial logo sticker on questionnaire envelopes vs no sticker; SWAT2 tested a theoretically informed letter sent with the questionnaire versus a standard letter; SWAT3 tested a theoretically informed newsletter sent prior to the questionnaire versus no newsletter. The SWATs were conducted within a large dental trial (N=1,877 adults) and SWAT2 replicated in a different trial in a similar setting (N=2,372).RESULTS: SWAT1 improved response rates by 1.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-7.2%, 10.0%). SWAT2 improved response rates by 7.0%, 95% CI (1.7%, 12.3%). SWAT3 improved response rates by 0.8%, 95% CI (-5.1%, 6.7%). Replication of SWAT2 as the most promising SWAT showed improvement in response rates of 1.0%, 95% CI (-3.2%, 5.3%). Pooled results from SWAT2 showed an overall improvement in response rates of 3.4%, 95% CI (0.1%, 6.7%).CONCLUSION: A theory-based behavioural approach to design interventions to improve trial response rates showed small, but meaningful improvements. The approach presented here can be easily implemented and adapted to address other identified barriers to trial retention.

KW - Attrition

KW - Behavioural intervention

KW - Dentistry

KW - Randomized controlled trials

KW - Retention

KW - Study within a trial

KW - Theoretical Domains Framework

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DO - 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.01.018

M3 - Article

C2 - 32027931

SN - 0895-4356

VL - 122

SP - 35

EP - 41

JO - Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

JF - Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

ER -

Three behavior change theory–informed randomized studies within a trial to improve response rates to trial postal questionnaires

Abstract

Bibliographical note

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Craig Ramsay

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Three behavior change theory–informed randomized studies within a trial to improve response rates to trial postal questionnaires

Abstract

Bibliographical note

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Craig Ramsay

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