title: Maintaining participation and momentum in longitudinal research involving high-risk families.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the current study was to identify and describe strategies available to optimize retention of a high-risk research cohort and assist in the recovery of study participants following participant dropout.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Maternal Lifestyle Study (MLS), which investigated the effects of prenatal substance exposure (cocaine or opiates) on child outcome, is a prospective longitudinal follow-up study that extended from birth through 15 years of age. Retention strategies to maximize participation and factors that might negatively impact compliance were examined over the course of five follow-up phases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the conclusion of the 15-year visits, MLS had successfully maintained compliance at 76%. Retention rates did not differ by exposure group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maintaining ongoing participation of enrolled study subjects is a critical element of any successful longitudinal study. Strategies that can be used to reengage and maintain participants in longitudinal research include persistence, flexibility with scheduling, home visits, long-distance trips, increased incentives, and development of a computerized tracking system. Establishing rapport with families and ensuring confidentiality contributed to overall participant retention. The use of multiple tracking techniques is essential.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Researchers are challenged to maintain participants in longitudinal studies to ensure the integrity of their research.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. agraziotti@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Ann L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Graziotti
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Messinger
authors.forename: Carla M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bann
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miller-Loncar
authors.forename: Jean E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Twomey
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bursi
authors.forename: Eunice
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Woldt
authors.forename: Jay Ann
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fleischmann
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders; D003256:Community Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D018570:Risk Assessment