The problem

It is important that the public understands what randomised trials are and why they matter. Otherwise, public support for clinical trials may be negatively impacted and fewer people may take part in them.

The project

The HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN) ran The People’s Trial to help the public learn about randomised trials, understand why they matter, and be better equipped to think critically about health claims. More than 3,000 members of the public helped plan, design, conduct and report a randomised trial, called ‘The Reading Trial’. The question chosen by the public for The Reading Trial, was: Does reading a book in bed make a difference to sleep, in comparison to not reading a book in bed? 

The outcomes
  • The custom designed The People’s Trial website had 9,500 visitors and involved participants from 117 countries. 32% of people who took part in The Reading Trial reported some or no understanding of randomised trials at the start of the trial
  • The Reading Trial showed that in a group of people like those who took part in the trial, reading a book in bed before sleeping improves sleep quality, compared to not reading a book in bed •  Participants told researchers they wanted the findings of the trial shared in plain, understandable language and through infographics
  • The team is now busy working on a ’sibling’ project that involves children.

Dr Elaine Finucane, HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network & Evidence Synthesis Ireland, School of Nursing & Midwifery at NUI Galway, says:

“We know there is demand for reliable, robust evidence the public can use to make informed choices about their health. The People’s Trial has shown, in a fun and engaging way, that you can involve the public in designing, carrying out and analysing the results of a randomised controlled trial and achieve quality evidence, while also supporting people to learn about trial processes.

“We hope participation in The People’s Trial has given the public the opportunity to discover why clinical trials are important, while also providing insights into how researchers can engage the public in the steps of a trial, potentially influencing how future trials are designed and implemented.”

‘The People’s Trial: A health study designed by and for the public ’ is part of a wider collection of success stories across four themes from this year’s annual Health Research in Action. Download the full publication.