Effective Strategies for Maintaining Research Participation in Clinical Trials.

Achieving high protocol adherence is essential for ensuring the overall success and scientific merit of clinical trials. Strategies for maximizing recruitment and treatment adherence have been previously explored in the literature. There has been less focus, however, on effective methods for maintaining participants in research follow-up. This article examines factors associated with poor follow-up rates as well as strategies for facilitating research commitment and addressing sources of nonadherence. Special attention is devoted to alcohol- and substance-dependent populations, groups known to have poor adherence rates. Examples are drawn from the COMBINE Study, an NIAAA-funded, nationwide, multisite, combined behavioral and pharmacotherapy trial for alcohol problems that achieved high one-year follow-up rates. The important role of coordinating centers in facilitating research retention is also discussed.