OBJECTIVES: High participant burden in clinical trials has been an issue among standard site based clinical trials, especially among the elderly. Additionally, older populations are seen as resistant to modern technologies and devices that make decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) possible and may help reduce patient burden. This study sought to elucidate an older population’s preference toward participation in DCTs that utilize modern devices and technologies.

METHODS: A digital survey was issued for 90 days in the US among n=169 men and women aged 45+ (45-54, n=45; 55-64, n=60; 65-74, n=57; 75+, n=7). Respondents were asked 1) their preference regarding conducting study activities at the home vs. site, 2) how they would prefer to be instructed to use devices (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation devices) from the home, and 3) in a hypothetical dermatology clinical trial, how they would prefer to communicate their skin condition to a study staff member.

RESULTS: 1) 85% of respondents stated they would prefer to “Do everything I can from home as much as possible”, 2) 70% of respondents stated they would prefer to “Review a "how to do" digital training video on my smartphone” or “Telehealth video call with a nurse”, and 3) 70% of respondents stated they would prefer to communicate their skin condition to a study staff member “By taking a photo with my smartphone and sending the photo to my doctor to review” or “Showing my doctor my rash during a telehealth visit”.

CONCLUSIONS: Among older populations in the US, there is a clear interest and strong inclination toward participating in DCTs and learning and executing study procedures from the home using devices over traditional clinical trial procedures. DCTs have a strong potential to reduce study participant burden, especially among the elderly, through clinical visit reduction and reducing patient burden.