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. 2009;35(5):381-4.
doi: 10.1080/00952990903150860.

Methods of recruiting adolescents with psychiatric and substance use disorders for a clinical trial

William B Jaffee  1 , Genie L Bailey, Michelle Lohman, Paula Riggs, Leah McDonald, Roger D Weiss
Affiliations

Methods of recruiting adolescents with psychiatric and substance use disorders for a clinical trial

William B Jaffee et al. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2009.

Abstract

Background: The present article reports on recruiting strategies in a 16-week, multi-site trial of osmotic-release methylphenidate combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy in adolescents with co-occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorder.

Methods: A multifaceted recruiting strategy was employed that targeted multiple referral sources, used incentives, involved numerous staff members, emphasized the therapeutic alliance during prescreening, and utilized data to modify strategies based on results. Overall, 303 adolescents were randomized from 1,333 total referrals across 11 participating sites.

Results: Overall, existing treatment program sources, including treatment program staff, social services, the juvenile justice system, and mental health clinics provided a majority of referrals for pre-screening and randomization.

Conclusions and scientific significance: These results support the feasibility of recruiting dually-diagnosed adolescents utilizing a multifaceted approach involving the entire study team.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interest

Dr. Weiss receives research grant support from NIDA and Eli Lilly and Co., Inc. and has consulted to Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Dr. Riggs receives research grant support from NIDA, receives active medication and matching placebo for the CTN OROS-MPH multi-site trial from McNeil, and serves on the scientific advisory board for Shire; Dr. Bailey has been on the speaker’s bureau of Forest Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer and has received research support from Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Dr. Jaffee, Ms. Lohman, and Ms. McDonald report no conflicts of interest.

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