Recruitment of a multi‐site randomized controlled trial of aerobic exercise for older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment: The EXERT trial. Issue 11 (23rd July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shadyab, Aladdin H.; LaCroix, Andrea Z.; Feldman, Howard H.; van Dyck, Christopher H.; Okonkwo, Ozioma C.; Tam, Steven P.; Fairchild, J. Kaci; Welsh‐Bohmer, Kathleen A.; Matthews, Genevieve; Bennett, Daniel; Shadyab, Alexandre A.; Schafer, Kimberly A.; Morrison, Rosemary H.; Kipperman, Sean A.; Mason, Jennifer; Tan, Donna; Thomas, Ronald G.; Cotman, Carl W.; Baker, Laura D.
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 17:Issue 11(2021)
• Page Start: 1808
• Page End: 1817
• Publication Date: 2021-07-23
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- clinical trial -- exercise -- lifestyle intervention -- mild cognitive impairment -- nonpharmacological -- recruitment; Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.12401
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Effective strategies to recruit older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) into nonpharmacological intervention trials are lacking. Methods: Recruitment for EXERT, a multisite randomized controlled 18‐month trial examining the effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive trajectory in adults with amnestic MCI, involved a diverse portfolio of strategies to enroll 296 participants. Results: Recruitment occurred September 2016 through March 2020 and was initially slow. After mass mailings of 490, 323 age‐ and geo‐targeted infographic postcards and brochures, recruitment rates increased substantially, peaking at 16 randomizations/month in early 2020. Mass mailings accounted for 52% of randomized participants, whereas 25% were recruited from memory clinic rosters, electronic health records, and national and local registries. Other sources included news broadcasts, public service announcements (PSA), local advertising, and community presentations. Discussion: Age‐ and geo‐targeted mass mailing of infographic materials was the most effective approach in recruiting older adults with amnestic MCI into an 18‐month exercise trial.