Skip to main content

Table 3 Details of the outcomes of internal pilots

From: A review of current practice in the design and assessment of internal pilots in UK NIHR clinical trials

Changes made to the design of the main trial? (Yes/No)

Frequency (%)

Yes, conduct of recruitment

10 (18%)

 Inclusion criteria widened

2 (20%)

 Increased number of sites

2 (20%)

 The predicted recruitment rate for the rest of the trial was amended

1 (10%)

 Recruitment extended for the main trial

1 (10%)

 Reduced the number of arms in the trial and the sample size

1 (10%)

 TSC recommended sample size re-estimation given observed complication rate difference

1 (10%)

 Simplified of inclusion/exclusion criteria; shortened of case report forms

1 (10%)

 Widened inclusion criteria; increased number of sites

1 (10%)

Yes, impact on outcome data

1 (2%)

 Clarifications made to the protocol; flexibility added to location of outcome assessments

1 (100%)

Yes, in terms of both recruitment and outcome data

1 (2%)

 Change of eligibility criteria; change to secondary outcomes; inclusion of a sub-trial

1 (100%)

Yes, no further information given

2 (4%)

No

43 (75%)

Total

57 (100%)

  1. TSC Trial Steering Committee