Theoretically-informed vs standard cover letter to improve participant response to mailed questionnaire: results of an embedded randomised retention trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Participant non-response is a source of bias in all research, especially in randomised controlled trials. Participants followed up remotely can have high non-response rates. Four such trials have been conducted of a cover letter with content informed by behaviour change theory to overcome hypothesised barriers to responding to a mailed questionnaire. Pooled results to date have suggested further research to be worthwhile. We conducted an embedded randomised study within a trial of such cover letters in the hope that we would improve response rates to our postal quality of life questionnaires.

Methods

One hundred forty-eight participants in the CODIFI2 diabetic foot ulcer sampling trial were randomised 1:1 to receive one of two different cover letters at follow-up

SUBMITTER: Everett CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11562673 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature