An Assessment of Which Sociodemographic and Spinal Cord Injury-Specific Characteristics Influence Engagement With Experimental Therapies and Participation in Clinical Trials

© 2021 American Spinal Injury Association..

Background: Although a number of experimental therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI) have recently emerged, few authors have examined the goals of individuals with SCI considering experimental therapies, and none have determined whether sociodemographic and injury-specific characteristics influence that engagement. Objectives: To determine (a) the goals of individuals with SCI who are considering experimental therapies; (b) whether sociodemographic factors, injury-specific characteristics, and concerns over adverse events influence those goals and/or participation in experimental therapies and clinical trials; and (c) whether people with SCI feel they have adequate information about experimental therapies and clinical trials. Methods: An online survey that yielded 364 responses. Results: Most respondents (83.7%) had sought information about experimental therapies, and just under half (47.8%) had received one. The most frequently cited functional goals were improvement in bowel and bladder function and elimination of dysreflexia (60.4%). Several goals were influenced by age and level and completeness of injury, and most respondents (93.4%) wanted more information about experimental therapies. Just over one-third (34.6%) of respondents had participated in a clinical trial, and nearly all (96.9%) wanted more information about them. Having received experimental therapies and participated in clinical trials was positively correlated with seeking SCI-specific care from an SCI specialist rather than from a primary care physician. Most (83.9%) respondents would avoid or be reluctant to engage with a medical center if they were made aware of harm done to trial participants. Conclusion: This work suggests that there are unmet information needs among people with SCI, specifically pertaining to experimental therapies and clinical trials. It also reveals that improved access to SCI specialists may enhance access to novel treatments and research efforts. Being made aware of harm to trial participants may influence the decision of individuals with SCI to seek care at or enroll in trials at these clinical sites.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:27

Enthalten in:

Topics in spinal cord injury rehabilitation - 27(2021), 4 vom: 26., Seite 28-39

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Pazzi, Carlotta [VerfasserIn]
Farrehi, Clara [VerfasserIn]
Capron, Maclain [VerfasserIn]
Anderson, Kim [VerfasserIn]
Richardson, Bonnie [VerfasserIn]
Stillman, Michael [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Clinical trials
Experimental therapies
Information needs
Journal Article
Research ethics
Spinal cord injury

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 07.12.2021

Date Revised 02.09.2022

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.46292/sci20-00070

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM334036127