Recruiting Community-Based Dementia Patients and Caregivers in a Nonpharmacologic Randomized Trial: What Works and How Much Does It Cost?

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield and cost of three recruitment strategies-direct mail, newspaper advertisements, and community outreach-for identifying and enrolling dementia caregivers into a randomized trial testing a nonpharmacologic approach to enhancing quality of life of patients and caregivers (dyads).

Method: Enrollment occurred between 2006 and 2008. The number of recruitment inquiries, number and race of enrollees, and costs for each recruitment strategy were recorded.

Results: Of 284 inquiries, 237 (83%) dyads enrolled. Total cost for recruitment across methodologies was US$154 per dyad. Direct mailings resulted in the most enrollees (n = 135, 57%) and was the least costly method (US$63 per dyad) compared with newspaper ads (US$224 per dyad) and community outreach (US$350 per dyad). Although enrollees were predominately White, mailings yielded the highest number of non-Whites (n = 37).

Discussion: Direct mailings was the most effective and least costly method for enrolling dyads in a nonpharmacologic dementia trial.

Keywords: caregiving; clinical trials; dementia care; home care.