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Factors influencing participant compliance in acupuncture trials: An in-depth interview study.

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION:Little is known of acupuncture patients' experiences and opinions of clinical trials, and what may influence their compliance when participating in an acupuncture trial. OBJECTIVES:To explore the potential factors that influence patients' choice and determinants to participate in acupuncture clinical trials. METHODS:Ten qualitative, in-depth interviews were conducted with patients from acupuncture clinics in Beijing, who had previously participated in acupuncture clinical trials. RESULTS:Four main themes emerged from the interview data: effectiveness of the treatment, convenience of participating in a trial, doctor-participant communication, and participant acceptance of the treatment (or the trial). Effectiveness of acupuncture in treating the health condition was the most important factor for participant adherence. Pragmatics of treatment schedules, travel and attendance burden, together with confidence in the doctor's ability additionally influenced trial and treatment compliance. CONCLUSIONS:In-depth interviews suggest that treatment effectiveness, the pragmatics of attending treatment sessions, and the expertise and attitudes of acupuncturists are determining factors of participation and compliance in acupuncture clinical trials. Participants' confidence in, and expectation of, acupuncture may facilitate compliance, while their fear of acupuncture and negative perceptions of the trial's purpose may reduce treatment compliance. Compliance may be facilitated by enhanced doctor-patient communication, personalized treatment programs, and feedback on treatment outcomes.

SUBMITTER: Cao HJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7162473 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Factors influencing participant compliance in acupuncture trials: An in-depth interview study.

Cao Hui-Juan HJ Li Xun X Li Xin-Lin XL Ward Lesley L Xie Zhan-Guo ZG Hu Hui H Zhang Ya-Jing YJ Liu Jian-Ping JP

PloS one 20200416 4

<h4>Introduction</h4>Little is known of acupuncture patients' experiences and opinions of clinical trials, and what may influence their compliance when participating in an acupuncture trial.<h4>Objectives</h4>To explore the potential factors that influence patients' choice and determinants to participate in acupuncture clinical trials.<h4>Methods</h4>Ten qualitative, in-depth interviews were conducted with patients from acupuncture clinics in Beijing, who had previously participated in acupunctu ...[more]

PMID: 32298368

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Project description:BackgroundInterventions delivered by smartphone apps have the potential to help drinkers reduce their consumption of alcohol. To optimize engagement and reduce the high rates of attrition associated with the use of digital interventions, it is necessary to ensure that an app's design and functionality is appropriate for its intended purposes and target population.AimsTo understand the usability of an app to help people reduce their alcohol consumption.MethodThe app, Drink Less, contains a core module focusing on goal setting, supplemented by five additional modules: self-monitoring and feedback, identity change, cognitive bias re-training, action planning, and social comparison. Two studies were conducted, a "think aloud" study performed with people using the app for the first time and a semistructured interview study performed after users had had access to the app for at least 2 weeks. A thematic analysis of the "think aloud" and interview transcripts was conducted by one coder and verified by a second.ResultsTwenty-four participants, half of whom were women and half from disadvantaged groups, took part in the two studies. Three main themes identified in the data were "Feeling lost and unsure of what to do next," "Make the app easy to use," and "Make the app beneficial and rewarding to use." These themes reflected participants' need for (i) guidance, particularly when first using the app or when entering data; (ii) the data entry process to be simple and the navigation intuitive; (iii) neither the amount of text nor range of options to be overwhelming; (iv) the app to reward them for effort and progress; and (v) it to be clear how the app could help alcohol reduction goals be reached.ConclusionFirst-time and experienced users want an alcohol reduction app to be easy, rewarding, and beneficial to use. An easy-to-use app would reduce user burden, offer ongoing help, and be esthetically pleasing. A rewarding and beneficial app would provide positive reinforcement, give feedback about progress, and demonstrate credibility. Users need help when first using the app, and they need a compelling reason to continue using it.

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Dataset Information

Factors influencing participant compliance in acupuncture trials: An in-depth interview study.

Publications

Factors influencing participant compliance in acupuncture trials: An in-depth interview study.

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