A comparison of recruitment methods for an osteoarthritis exercise study

Patient recruitment often involves a great deal of effort and cost. We sought to determine successful recruitment methods for an osteoarthritis (OA) exercise study, and to subsequently focus on using those approaches. Eleven methods were developed to recruit subjects for this large research project. Financial constraints ensured that we focused on low-cost measures. Over a 20-month period, the numbers of both total respondents and eventual participants were recorded. Responses were recorded for 263 individuals, and 108 subjects entered the study. The most successful recruitment method was via physician referrals from affiliated clinics. In general, methods that were free of direct cost seemed no less successful than those requiring expenditures. Successful subject recruitment, even for a large study, may not require costly advertising. Direct contact and frequent reminders rendered to our own clinics proved most effective, but other free and low-cost approaches were also of benefit.