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Table 1 Trial characteristics

From: Can we achieve better recruitment by providing better information? Meta-analysis of ‘studies within a trial’ (SWATs) of optimised participant information sheets

Trial name

Population

Host trial intervention and comparison

Design of the host trial

Design of SWAT

CASPER [10]

Patients at least 65 years of age with sub-threshold depression

Intervention: collaborative care including screening for depression, collaborative care and low intensity psychological intervention plus usual GP care

Comparator: usual GP care alone

Individually randomised two-arm parallel group trial

Individually randomised two-arm parallel group trial

ECLS [8]

Current or ex-smokers aged 50 to 75 years

Intervention: A new blood test named EarlyCDT-Lung test to detect seven autoantibodies to aid in the risk assessment and early detection of lung cancer

Comparator: standard care

Individually randomised two-arm parallel group trial

Individually randomised two-arm parallel group trial

Healthlines CVD [7]

Those aged 40 to 74 years with increased risk of cardiovascular disease

Intervention: NHS Direct-delivered telehealth intervention including telephone support and computer-based self-management to support patients

Comparator: usual care

Individually randomised two-arm parallel group trial

Individually randomised two-arm parallel group trial

Healthlines Depression [7]

Those at least 18 years of age and having a confirmed diagnosis of clinical depression

Intervention: NHS Direct-delivered telehealth intervention including telephone support and computer-based self-management to support patients

Comparator: usual care

Individually randomised two-arm parallel group trial

Individually randomised two-arm parallel group trial

HeLP Diabetes [unpublished]

Adults aged 18 or over, with type 2 diabetes

Intervention: facilitated and supported access (1—an introductory session with nurse introducing HeLP Diabetes web-based programme, 2—supportive follow-up phone calls, and 3—on-going discussion of patient’s self-management goals in routine appointments for diabetes-related matters) to healthcare for patients with diabetes)

Comparator: an introductory session with nurse and follow-up phone calls

Individually randomised two-arm parallel group trial

Two-arm randomised trial, clustered by general practice

ISDR [9]

People with diabetes undergoing annual screening for diabetic retinopathy

Intervention: personalised risk based screening intervals

Comparator: annual screening

Individually randomised two-arm parallel group trial

Two-arm randomised trial, clustered by week of recruitment

REFORM [6]

Podiatry patients over the age of 65 years

Intervention: multifaceted foot and lower limb intervention for prevention of falls

Comparator: a leaflet with fall prevention advice plus continue with current podiatry treatment

Two-arm open randomised cohort controlled trial

Individually randomised three-arm cohort trial