Pilot implementation of short message service for randomisation in a multisite pragmatic factorial clinical trial in Kenya.

IF 1.6 Q3 MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL
Mercy Chepkirui, Dennis Kimego, Charles Nzioki, Elizabeth Jowi, Charles Opondo, Ambrose Agweyu
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: The traditional use of sealed envelopes for randomisation is susceptible to manipulation and the risk of damage to envelopes during shipping and storage. Additionally, the filling and sealing of envelopes are tedious, time-consuming, and error-prone. Other randomisation alternatives such as web-based methods are preferred. However, they are expensive and unsuitable in settings with poor internet infrastructure. Mobile phone-based randomisation using short message service (SMS) potentially offers a low-cost and reliable alternative.

Methods: We developed an SMS-based method for random allocation of treatments. Plain text messaging or an Android app was used to formulate text messages using a fixed syntax consisting of the participant's unique identifier, trial site, stratum, and the trial name as input parameters. The system verified the input parameters and obtained an allocation from the database before returning a response to the sender. The text response contained the details of the treatment allocation. This was a Study Within A Trial (SWAT) conducted in two sites of a multi-site 3 × 2 factorial clinical trial in Kenya involving two interventions with up to nine possible allocations. SMS randomisation feasibility was assessed by comparing treatment allocations against the master randomisation list for each processed SMS, measuring SMS latency (in seconds), and gathering user feedback via a post-implementation survey.

Results: A total of 218 participants were randomised between the 7th of February 2022 and the 11th of April 2022, out of which 179 were randomised to only one arm while 39 were randomised to both treatment arms. Allocation accuracy was 100%. Median latency was 22 s with the fastest message processed in 10 s and the slowest (non-network delayed) message processed in 2129 s. Four users completed a post-implementation survey.

Conclusions: The pilot study demonstrated that SMS randomisation is easy, user-friendly, fast, accurate, and a feasible alternative randomisation technique.

Abstract Image

Abstract Image

肯尼亚一项多地点实用因子临床试验中随机化短消息服务的试点实施。
背景:传统使用密封信封进行随机化易受操纵,并且在运输和储存过程中有损坏信封的风险。此外,信封的填充和密封是乏味、耗时和容易出错的。其他随机选择,如基于网络的方法是首选。然而,它们价格昂贵,不适合互联网基础设施差的环境。使用短信服务(SMS)的基于移动电话的随机化可能提供一种低成本和可靠的替代方案。方法:我们开发了一种基于短信的随机分配治疗方法。使用纯文本消息或Android应用程序使用由参与者的唯一标识符、试验地点、阶层和试验名称作为输入参数组成的固定语法来制定文本消息。在向发送方返回响应之前,系统验证输入参数并从数据库中获得分配。文本回复包含治疗分配的细节。这是一项试验中的研究(SWAT),在肯尼亚一项多地点3 × 2因子临床试验的两个地点进行,涉及两种干预措施,最多有9种可能的分配。通过比较每个处理过的短信的处理分配与主随机化列表,测量短信延迟(以秒为单位),并通过实施后调查收集用户反馈,评估短信随机化的可行性。结果:在2022年2月7日至2022年4月11日期间,共有218名参与者被随机分配,其中179人被随机分配到一个治疗组,39人被随机分配到两个治疗组。分配准确率为100%。中位延迟为22秒,最快的消息在10秒内处理,最慢的(非网络延迟)消息在2129秒内处理。四名用户完成了实施后的调查。结论:初步研究表明,SMS随机化简单、用户友好、快速、准确,是一种可行的替代随机化技术。
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来源期刊
Pilot and Feasibility Studies
Pilot and Feasibility Studies Medicine-Medicine (miscellaneous)
CiteScore
2.70
自引率
5.90%
发文量
241
审稿时长
9 weeks
期刊介绍: Pilot and Feasibility Studies encompasses all aspects of the design, conduct and reporting of pilot and feasibility studies in biomedicine. The journal publishes research articles that are intended to directly influence future clinical trials or large scale observational studies, as well as protocols, commentaries and methodology articles. The journal also ensures that the results of all well-conducted, peer-reviewed, pilot and feasibility studies are published, regardless of outcome or significance of findings. Pilot and feasibility studies are increasingly conducted prior to a full randomized controlled trial. However, these studies often lack clear objectives, many remain unpublished, and there is confusion over the meanings of the words “pilot” and “feasibility”. Pilot and Feasibility Studies provides a forum for discussion around this key aspect of the scientific process, and seeks to ensure that these studies are published, so as to complete the publication thread for clinical research.
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