The Failure

Who wants to start a randomized controlled trial into the effect of complex lifestyle interventions, need to do a lot of work. Even if the setup seems relatively simple. The question is whether such a classic research design is really suitable for the evaluation of lifestyle interventions. AMC researcher Eva Laan draws this conclusion after she conducted a study among employees. A study that did not reach the intended number of participants and therefore did not meet the initial objectives. These involved measuring the effect of a health-promoting intervention on lifestyle behaviour, six months after participating in the intervention. The intervention was paid for by the employers. After all, they have an interest in employees who are aware of their lifestyle and want to improve it.

The unfavorable economic conditions raised the threshold for companies to use the intervention for their employees, thinks avenue. In addition, it turned out that for the companies practical factors were more important than a good research design. And that was detrimental to the effect evaluation. But employees also showed little interest. They hadn't gotten around to it, had work-related problems or encountered technical hurdles, like can't login.

The lessons

Laan also puts his hand into his own bosom and sees that such a large study needs a thorough preliminary investigation. For example, a feasibility study in a small research population. Moreover, a phased development and evaluation of an intervention would increase the chance of a successful study of such a large size.

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