Case Study (RAMP)

670% increase in black minority ethnic participation in anxiety and depression study.

RAMP was a nation-wide study assessing longitudinal impact in mood disorders through the collection of real-time data on patient’s physiological, emotional, cognitive, and motor activities. The objective of RAMP was to monitor the impact of isolation in individuals suffering from anxiety and depression as well as the incidence of mood disorders in healthy volunteer populations in correlation with extended isolation.

The Challenge

RAMP garnered substantial interest in the UK population with over 10,000 participants within the first 6 months of recruitment. However, demographic data demonstrated that of the 10,000 participants enrolled into the study, only 62 individuals identified as black. This equated to a proportion of 0.6% of the study population – whereas, the proportion of black individuals in the UK population was ~3%.

Without proportionate representation, the team could not make any valid comparisons between groups, as in scientific terms, our research would lack statistical power. In order to evaluate data that was proportionally representative of the UK population, a minimum of 300 participants identifying as black needed to be enrolled into the study.

Historically, over 96% of clinical studies have taken place in white populations. Substantial barriers exist preventing individuals from black minority ethnic (BME) groups from accessing and participating in clinical research.

The Solution

Our team began by conducting an audit of the existing recruitment system, creating a clear understanding of the access points for BME patients. In this process, the full patient journey was mapped assessing language and flow from one patient audience to another. At each step, we helped the client understand where accessibility would be optimised in recruitment moving forwards.

After gaining critical insight into the existing infrastructure, Neucruit’s data mapping algorithm was deployed to build key hypotheses around ideal BME patient profiles within the United Kingdom. This included mapping demographics, interests and delocalisation of motivated BME individuals for the study. Alongside this, micro-site variations were built with pre-screening functionality and tested in BME patient populations.

Hypotheses were validated using a set of campaigns. Campaign data was collected and utilised in a feedback process, using real-time optimisation to improve the recruitment framework and patient profiles accessed. Once a dominant framework was established, the team monitored the platform for the client until full delivery.

Statistics

Demographics by region

Platform
Participants
Percentage
Instagram
451
32%
Twitter
392
28%
Google
315
22%
Facebook
121
9%
Pinterest
85
6%
Reddit
18
1%
0%

Increase in BME enrolment rate

0%

Increase in BME study representation

0%

Reduction in recruitment timelines for BME population

Our efforts resulted in:

769%

Increase in BME enrolment rate

231

BME randomizations

17

Months saved

The Result

The client was able to reach their BME participation target in 3 months as compared to the original 20 month estimation based on their historical enrolment rate, reducing timelines by 85%. Further, valuable information was generated regarding target audiences and ideal BME patient profiles in anxiety and depression studies.

Quick and effortless: a very reliable source for collecting data for our study. The set-up is quick and effortless, something that us researchers need more and more. I would definitely recommend them.

-Dr. V. Sideropoulos

Collecting participants is always a daunting process. Neucruit made the process feasible. I’m very happy with the friendly customer service and effort from the team. Thank you!

-B. Masala

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Case Study (CNEM)

Over 96% reduction in enrolment timelines for metabolic disorder study.

A meta-analysis of 28 studies demonstrated that higher serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with a 55% reduction in diabetes, a 51% decreased risk of the metabolic syndrome and a 33% lower risk of cardiovascular disease (Strange et al., 2015). CNEM’s team assessed serum 25(OH)D intervention in individuals with obesity.

The Challenge

CNEM required a dedicated patient cohort to commit to 12-14 site visits across 4 months. Neucruit was able to provide a site-external patient registry of men and women with BMI >25 between 25-60 that fulfilled CNEM’s eligibility criteria to take part in their 12-week randomised controlled trial.

A high volume of site visits negatively impacted recruitment due to the amount of patient time investment required for participation. In addition, the requirement for in-person site visits led to delays during the pandemic.

Site-based recruitment during the pandemic was extremely difficult. Further, visits to primary care facilities was also limited during the pandemic making recruitment more difficult. A substantial number of patients were not able to attend regular check-ups. It’s estimated that over 90% of primary care visits were missed between 2020 and 2021.

This meant that site-external recruitment was required for the study.

The Solution

Our team began by conducting an audit of the existing recruitment system, creating a clear understanding of the access points for patients. In this process, the full patient journey was mapped assessing design, spacing and user flow. At each step, we helped the client understand where outreach would be optimised in recruitment moving forwards.

After gaining critical insight into the existing infrastructure, Neucruit’s data mapping algorithm was deployed to build key hypotheses around ideal patient profiles in Bath, United Kingdom – within 15 miles of the site radius. This included mapping demographics, interests and delocalisation of motivated individuals for the study. Alongside this, micro-site variations were built with pre-screening functionality and tested in region-specific patient populations.

Hypotheses were validated using a set of campaigns. Campaign data was collected and utilised in a feedback process, using real-time optimisation to improve the recruitment framework and patient profiles accessed. Once a dominant framework was established, the team monitored the platform for the client until full delivery.

Statistics

Demographics by region

Platform
Participants
Percentage
Facebook
121
55%
Instagram
55
25%
Google
30
15%
Twitter
2
1%
Reddit
1
1%
Pinterest
1
1%
0%

Reduction in site staff time requirements

0%

Increase in enrolment rate

0%

Reduction in enrolment timelines

Our efforts resulted in:

96%

Reduction in enrollement timeline

50

Participants randomized

2.9

Months saved

The Result

Neucruit was able to provide a site-external patient registry of men and women with BMI >25 between 25-60 that fulfilled CNEM’s eligibility criteria to take part in their 12-week randomised controlled trial.

A great platform for participant recruitment. They are great at following up and notifying us of other potential participant groups. Our working relationship has been flawless and the RAMP team would highly recommend using them as a route for recruiting participants into your study.

-Dr. Young

I think the team are very easy to work with and friendly! I would recommend them if you have tight recruitment deadlines.

-Ms. Sun

Ready to improve accessibility for your patient audiences?

Speak to a member of our team today to transform the way patients are made aware of cutting-edge clinical research and products by combining data, AI and modern media. 

Schedule a Demo

Case Study (IQOS)

Over 87% reduction in enrolment timelines for smoking cessation study.

IQOS launched in 2014 – this was a device set to transform smoking cessation starting in Japan. At present, there are over 18 million IQOS users globally. The IQOS device is classified as a heat-not-burn technology enabling users to inhale a nicotine-containing vapour through heated rather than burned tobacco.The widely accepted concept amongst users is that since the tobacco doesn’t burn, the levels of harmful chemicals is significantly reduced compared to cigarette smoke (Phillip Morrison, 2022).

The Challenge

This study assessing the health impacts of the IQOS Heat-not-Burn device in 45 participants involved one site visit and had a primary end date of March 2020. This end date was substantially delayed due to the pandemic.

In total, 16 participants were enrolled over the course of 12 months. This averages to approximately 1.3 participants per month at this site. With no intervention, enrolment timelines based on historical data would have modelled complete enrolment in ~22 months.

Beyond the pandemic, several challenges hindered enrolment rates. This included i) the identification of patients that fit temporally stringent eligibility criteria,  ii) complex conversion pathways for patients and iii) coordination of site availability.

The Solution

Our team began by conducting an audit of the existing recruitment system, creating a clear understanding of the conversion points for patients from outreach to randomisation. In this process, the full patient journey was mapped assessing spacing, user design and the flow from one conversion point to another. At each step, we helped the client understand where data would be collected to optimise recruitment moving forwards.

After gaining critical insight into the existing infrastructure, Neucruit’s data mapping algorithm was deployed to build key hypotheses around ideal patient profiles within the study. This included mapping demographics, interests and delocalisation of motivated individuals for the study. Alongside this, micro-site variations were built with pre-screening functionality and tested in select patient populations.

Hypotheses were validated using a set of campaigns. Campaign data was collected and utilised in a feedback process, using real-time optimisation to improve the recruitment framework and patient profiles accessed. Once a dominant framework was established, the team monitored the platform for the client until full delivery.

Statistics

Demographics by region

Platform
Participants
Percentage
Facebook
11
35%
Pinterest
8
25%
Instagram
5
15%
Google
3
10%
Twitter
2
5%
Reddit
1
1%
0%

Enrolment rate per month

0%

Reduction in enrolment timeline

0%

Enrolment targets met

Our efforts resulted in:

769%

Enrolment rate per month

29

Randomizations

19

Months saved

The Result

The client was able to reach their target in 3 months as compared to the original 22 month estimation based on their historical enrolment rate, reducing timelines by over 87%. Further, valuable information was generated regarding target audiences and ideal patient profiles for the IQOS heat-not-burn product.

The team are very responsive and friendly and assisted us with advertising our study to participants with specific demographics and who met our inclusion criteria. Thank you for your help!

-Dr. A. Burton

I highly recommend. An outstanding vehicle to support recruiting for research studies. We’ve needed this support mechanism for a long time.

-Dr. S. Hillman

Ready to improve accessibility for your patient audiences?

Speak to a member of our team today to transform the way patients are made aware of cutting-edge clinical research and products by combining data, AI and modern media. 

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The True Heroes of Clinical Research: Patients

Aaron Hengist

Aaron Hengist

Author

We are currently in the fallout from COVID19. The focus has shifted from containment of the pandemic to making progress towards normality. This won’t be as simple as it sounds, as we have no idea if the normal we are heading towards is the normal we once knew. The rate of progress will vary for different industries and nations, and will depend on many factors. 

It is easy to feel hopeless in an uncertain world. It is often hard to imagine what you can do to help society, and it is true that it may be difficult to directly help without possessing some of the key skills that are in demand. Unfortunately, I do not have the answers to these conundrums, but I do believe that progress is made by the unsung heroes of society and their actions. One area where this sentiment rings true is scientific research.

Clinical Trails Covid-19 Research

An obvious area to start is the most pressing scientific issue right now; the search for a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2. There is a global effort to design and implement an ethically viable and effective vaccine. You might be thinking what this has got to do with you? The success of these efforts relies on people like you coming forward and volunteering for a greater cause. 

The same is true for scientific issues that might not seem as obvious. Whilst most research funding and focus has been directed towards COVID19, there are many global health issues that have not been put on pause by the virus. The World Health Organisation acknowledges that we are in the midst of a global obesity epidemic, with metabolic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease becoming increasingly prevalent and causing burden on health systems. We are in need of participants for all areas of research that are continuing despite the global pandemic. Volunteers are essential to continue the pursuit of knowledge. 

As a scientific community, we struggle to connect the people like you who want to help with people who are running scientific studies. You often have to trawl through clinical trials registries to find a suitable study, or happen to stumble across a flyer in the local area. Researchers cannot rely on unwavering self-motivation and knowledge of registries, or pure chance, to find good people wanting to contribute to society by volunteering. This is where I see Neucruit (formerly known as CT-X) stepping in and bridging the gap between participants and researchers. 

The true heroes of science are the participants. We laud Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine, who deserve much praise for their achievements and contributions, yet we rarely spare a thought for the individuals who volunteered their time, bodies, and experiences to a greater cause. Taking a slightly poetic turn to finish, Bertolt Brecht once wrote: 

 

‘Who built Thebes of the seven gates? 

In the books you will find the names of kings. 

Did the kings haul up the lumps of rock? 

Where, the evening that the wall of China was finished

Did the masons go?’ 

 

One thing you can do to help in these uncertain times is participate in scientific research. Advance human knowledge of an obscure field, or find out more information about yourself by participating and requesting your data, whilst helping humanity return to a new normal. 

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