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Consent ProcessWHEAT-BoostNCT07284329

Examining the Efficacy of a Digital Media Intervention to Increase Recruitment Rates

A study testing Intervention (Video) Arm in people with Consent Process, run by IWK Health Centre at 15 sites in Canada.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

WHEAT-Boost is a Study Within A Trial (SWAT) that aims to improve how families are recruited into neonatal research studies by testing a new way of sharing information. The study is embedded within the larger WHEAT International Trial, a randomized clinical trial being conducted in Neonatal Intensive Care Units… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages Up to 30 weeks
Conditions the study is for
Consent Process
What is being tested?
Intervention (Video) Arm
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
787 participants
Where
15 sitesCanada
Study dates
6 Jan 2025to 30 Apr 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages Up to 30 weeks
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

None listed.

Who cannot join

  • Infant or family ineligible for participation in the WHEAT International Trial
  • Parent(s)/primary caregiver(s) not approached for WHEAT Trial participation (e.g., missed recruitment window, language barriers not addressed by materials, medical instability of infant or family)

Trial locations and contacts

15 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

15 sites in 1 country

Canada15 sites, 15 recruiting
  • Royal Alexandra Hospital

    Edmonton, Alberta

    Recruiting
  • Dr. Everett Chalmers

    Fredericton, New Brunswick

    Recruiting
  • IWK Health

    Halifax, Nova Scotia

    Recruiting
  • Kingston Health Sciences Centre

    Kingston, Ontario

    Recruiting
  • Centre hospitalier de l'Université Laval

    Laval, Quebec

    Recruiting
  • London Health Sciences Centre

    London, Ontario

    Recruiting
  • Moncton Hospital

    Moncton, New Brunswick

    Recruiting
  • Montreal Children's Hospital

    Montreal, Quebec

    Recruiting
  • The Ottawa Hospital/CHEO

    Ottawa, Ontario

    Recruiting
  • Saint John Regional Hospital

    Saint John, New Brunswick

    Recruiting
  • Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre

    Saint Johns, NFLD

    Recruiting
  • Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke

    Sherbrooke, Quebec

    Recruiting
  • Mount Sinai

    Toronto, Ontario

    Recruiting
  • BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre

    Vancouver, British Columbia

    Recruiting
  • Windsor Regional Hospital

    Windsor, Ontario

    Recruiting

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Official title: Examining the Efficacy of a Parent-targeted Co-designed Digital Media Intervention to Increase Recruitment Rates Across a Multi-site Randomized Clinical Trial in Canadian NICU's

WHEAT-Boost is a Study Within A Trial (SWAT) that aims to improve how families are recruited into neonatal research studies by testing a new way of sharing information. The study is embedded within the larger WHEAT International Trial, a randomized clinical trial being conducted in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) across Canada. The WHEAT International Trial investigates the best way to manage feeding around the time of blood transfusions in very premature infants (born before 30 weeks of pregnancy).

Recruiting families for research in the NICU is challenging. Parents are often stressed, overwhelmed, and unfamiliar with how clinical trials work, which can make it hard for them to process complex medical information and decide whether to take part. Traditional consent methods, such as paper forms, may not be enough to ensure families feel informed and comfortable with participation.

Read more

To address this, WHEAT-Boost will test whether adding a short, co-designed digital video helps improve recruitment rates. The video is 3.5 to 4 minutes long, available in English and French (with subtitles in other commonly spoken languages), and explains the importance of NICU research and details of the WHEAT International Trial in a simple and visual way. The video was co-developed with parents who have experience in the NICU to ensure the information is relevant and easy to understand.

NICU sites participating in the WHEAT Trial will be randomly assigned, in a stepped-wedge design schedule, to either continue using their usual recruitment methods, or to add the digital video to their recruitment approach. Parents in both groups will be asked to complete a short, voluntary questionnaire about their experience with the consent process and their understanding of the trial.

The main goal of WHEAT-Boost is to see if the video increases the number of families who agree to take part in the WHEAT Trial (known as the "opt-in rate"). The study will also look at whether the video reduces the number of families who later withdraw from the trial, and whether it improves parents' understanding of the study and their satisfaction with how information was shared.

If successful, the video could be used in other NICUs or future studies to help make research more accessible and inclusive for families. This approach could lead to stronger participation in neonatal trials, better-informed decisions by parents, and faster progress in improving care for premature babies.

Read the detailed description

WHEAT-Boost is a stepped-wedge cluster randomized SWAT embedded within the ongoing WHEAT International Trial (NCT05213806), which evaluates feeding practices around blood transfusion in preterm infants. The SWAT aims to examine whether the addition of a co-designed digital media intervention improves recruitment outcomes, parental comprehension, and satisfaction with the research consent process in the NICU setting.

Fifteen Canadian NICUs participating in the WHEAT International Trial will be randomized in a stepped-wedge design to transition from the control condition (usual recruitment approach) to the intervention condition (usual approach plus video). Each site will act as its own control, with transitions occurring at 29-day intervals. All sites will begin in the control arm, using standard informed or opt-out consent materials, and then sequentially implement the video intervention according to the randomized schedule.

The intervention consists of a 3.5- to 4-minute digital video co-developed with a parent-partner advisory group. The video uses accessible language, storytelling, and visual elements to highlight the role and value of neonatal research and to clarify key details of the WHEAT Trial. It is delivered via a QR code linked to a secure website, enabling families to view the content on personal or institutional devices. The co-design approach ensures the material is tailored to the needs and concerns of NICU families, many of whom may experience emotional distress and information overload during their infant's hospitalization.

This SWAT will evaluate several outcomes. The primary outcome is the WHEAT Trial opt-in rate, defined as the proportion of eligible families who consent to enroll their infant in the trial. Secondary outcomes include the post-randomization withdrawal rate, parental comprehension of trial-specific information, and overall experience with the consent process. These will be measured using a brief questionnaire co-designed with the parent group and administered to all approached families, regardless of group assignment.

Analysis of the primary and secondary outcomes will follow intention-to-treat principles and will use generalized linear mixed models appropriate for the stepped-wedge design. Models will include random intercepts for sites and fixed effects for time and intervention status. For qualitative data from open-ended survey responses, an inductive thematic analysis approach will be applied.

This SWAT addresses a critical need for evidence-based strategies to enhance trial recruitment in high-stress clinical environments like the NICU. By supplementing conventional consent procedures with engaging, accessible media, the study seeks to normalize research participation and support informed decision-making by parents of vulnerable infants. If effective, this low-cost, scalable intervention could be readily adapted to other trials and clinical settings, advancing broader efforts to improve inclusivity and transparency in neonatal research.

Conditions
Consent Process
Being tested
Intervention (Video) Arm
Keywords
Consent, Neonatal research, Family questionnaires, Digital media, Co-design, Study video

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Intervention (Video) ArmBehavioural

    A 3.5-4-minute co-designed digital media video created to supplement the standard consent process for the WHEAT International Trial.

Study groups in NCT07284329
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Control (No-Video) ArmNo interventionParticipants receive the standard informed consent or opt-out consent documentation for the WHEAT International Trial without any additional digital media support. Research staff approach parents/primary caregivers using the usual verbal and paper-based consent process. Families then complete a brief questionnaire about their understanding and experience with the consent process.
Intervention (Video) ArmExperimentalParticipants receive the usual informed consent or opt-out consent documentation plus access to a co-designed 3.5-4-minute digital media video that explains the importance of neonatal research and key trial details in an accessible format. The video is intended to supplement and clarify the consent process to improve understanding and recruitment. Research staff provide parents/primary caregivers with a QR code linking to the video hosted on the WHEAT International Trial website. Families are encouraged to watch the video on their personal devices or hospital devices if needed. This is provided alongside the usual consent documentation during the NICU stay. Following this, families complete the same brief questionnaire about their experience and comprehension.
Receives: Behavioral: Intervention (Video) Arm

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Opt-in Rate for the WHEAT International Trial

    The proportion of families approached for participation in the WHEAT International Trial who provide consent (or do not opt out, depending on the site's consent model) for their infant to be enrolled.

    Measured: Baseline (When the family is approached for the Study Participation - Within first two weeks of life))

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Trial Withdrawal Rate (Post-Randomization)

    The proportion of enrolled participants who withdraw from the WHEAT International Trial after randomization.

    Measured: Birth to 40 weeks Post Menstrual Age (From enrollment until study completion)

  2. Parental Comprehension of Trial-Specific Details

    Degree to which parents understand key elements of the WHEAT International Trial, assessed via a brief questionnaire co-designed with a parent-partner group.

    Measured: Baseline (Once family makes the consent decision - Within first two weeks of life)

  3. Parental Experience with the Consent Process

    Parents' perceptions of the clarity, helpfulness, and adequacy of the information provided during the consent process, collected via a brief, co-designed questionnaire.

    Measured: Baseline (Once family makes the consent decision - Within first two weeks of life)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted16 Dec 2025
  2. Study start6 Jan 2025
  3. Primary completion15 Apr 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Apr 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This study uses a stepped-wedge cluster randomized design, where participating NICU sites transition sequentially from the control (usual consent process) to the intervention (usual process plus digital media video) at randomized time points. Individual participants are exposed to only one condition based on the timing of their enrollment, making the study function as a parallel assignment design at the participant level.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
787 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07284329
Sponsor's protocol ID
1027137 (SWAT)
Other IDs
CTR-184893/ CT1-184892
Acronym
WHEAT-Boost
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
19 Nov 2025
Last updated
16 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Publications

  • Lawrence LM, Bishop A, Curran J. Integrated Knowledge Translation with Public Health Policy Makers: A Scoping Review. Healthc Policy. 2019 Feb;14(3):55-77. doi: 10.12927/hcpol.2019.25792.

    PubMed 31017866
  • Korstjens I, Moser A. Series: Practical guidance to qualitative research. Part 4: Trustworthiness and publishing. Eur J Gen Pract. 2018 Dec;24(1):120-124. doi: 10.1080/13814788.2017.1375092. Epub 2017 Dec 5.

    PubMed 29202616
  • Elo S, Kyngas H. The qualitative content analysis process. J Adv Nurs. 2008 Apr;62(1):107-15. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04569.x.

    PubMed 18352969
  • Ouyang Y, Karim ME, Gustafson P, Field TS, Wong H. Explaining the variation in the attained power of a stepped-wedge trial with unequal cluster sizes. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2020 Jun 24;20(1):166. doi: 10.1186/s12874-020-01036-5.

    PubMed 32580698
  • Voldal EC, Hakhu NR, Xia F, Heagerty PJ, Hughes JP. swCRTdesign: An RPackage for Stepped Wedge Trial Design and Analysis. Comput Methods Programs Biomed. 2020 Nov;196:105514. doi: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2020.105514. Epub 2020 May 21.

    PubMed 32554025
  • Synnot A, Ryan R, Prictor M, Fetherstonhaugh D, Parker B. Audio-visual presentation of information for informed consent for participation in clinical trials. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 May 9;2014(5):CD003717. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003717.pub3.

    PubMed 24809816
  • Ballard HO, Shook LA, Desai NS, Anand KJ. Neonatal research and the validity of informed consent obtained in the perinatal period. J Perinatol. 2004 Jul;24(7):409-15. doi: 10.1038/sj.jp.7211142.

    PubMed 15152271
  • Wilman E, Megone C, Oliver S, Duley L, Gyte G, Wright JM. The ethical issues regarding consent to clinical trials with pre-term or sick neonates: a systematic review (framework synthesis) of the empirical research. Trials. 2015 Nov 4;16:502. doi: 10.1186/s13063-015-0957-x.

    PubMed 26537492
  • Dahav P, Sjostrom-Strand A. Parents' experiences of their child being admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit: a qualitative study-like being in another world. Scand J Caring Sci. 2018 Mar;32(1):363-370. doi: 10.1111/scs.12470. Epub 2017 Aug 22.

    PubMed 28833379
  • Obeidat HM, Bond EA, Callister LC. The parental experience of having an infant in the newborn intensive care unit. J Perinat Educ. 2009 Summer;18(3):23-9. doi: 10.1624/105812409X461199.

    PubMed 20514124
  • Al Maghaireh DF, Abdullah KL, Chan CM, Piaw CY, Al Kawafha MM. Systematic review of qualitative studies exploring parental experiences in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. J Clin Nurs. 2016 Oct;25(19-20):2745-56. doi: 10.1111/jocn.13259. Epub 2016 Jun 3.

    PubMed 27256250

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Intervention (Video) Arm in people with Consent Process, run by IWK Health Centre at 15 sites in Canada.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 0 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 15 sites in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Cari-Lee Carnell (902-219-2216, cari-lee.carnell@iwk.nshealth.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Opt-in Rate for the WHEAT International Trial (time frame: Baseline (When the family is approached for the Study Participation - Within first two weeks of life))). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07284329, which also lists 11 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Dec 2025.

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