Examining the Association Between DCT Solutions Use and Participant Diversity in Clinical Trials

Whereas anecdotal reports suggest that the use of decentralized clinical trial (DCT) solutions can improve participant diversity in clinical trials there is no quantitative evidence to support such reports.

Tufts CSDD conducted this initial study based on data collected from prior research and publicly available data drawn from Clinicaltrials.gov to compare and contrast participant diversity in trials which included various DCT solutions – virtual visits or televisits, home visits, devices or wearables, and the use of local labs.

The results of this analysis indicate that the use of local labs is associated with a lower percentage of white participants; the use of virtual visits or televisits is associated with a lower percentage of Black participants; and the use of devices or wearables was not associated with any significant change in participant demographics. The use of home visits could not be tested for significant differences.