. Methods: Analysis of the number of patients screened and recruited in two contrasting alternative medicine trials. Additionally, analysis of why patients chose not to participate in CAM trials. Results: In a trial examining the use of an herbal product for individuals with congestive heart failure (CHF) roughly 88 % of known eligible patients decided to participate in the trial and only 5 % of all patients screened gave lack of interest in the trial as a reason for non-participation. In contrast, two recent trials (SOLVD & MERIT-HF) of patients with symptomatic CHF had lower rates of known eligible patients agreeing to participate (63 %) and at least 11 % of all patients screened gave lack of interest in the trial as a reason for non-participation. More dramatically, in a study assessing the effectiveness of a bioenergy technique in the management of chronic pain approximately 96 % of known eligible patients decided to participate in the trial compared to only 10 % of known eligible patients from similar populations approached for trials at the same tertiary care facility. In the bioenergy trial 33 % of patients screened refused participation due to the distance and travel time involved, making it the primary reason for refusal. The frequency and length of visits involved in the application of a manual technique was the next most frequently stated reason for non-participation (31%). A small percent of patients (< 2%) refused on the basis of their religious beliefs.
Learning Objectives: To compare and contrast the unique aspects of recruiting and enrollment of patients in CAM trials compared to allopathic trials.
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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