title: Conducting intervention research among underserved populations: lessons learned and recommendations for researchers.
abstract: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the criterion standard in research design for establishing treatment efficacy. However, the rigorous and highly controlled conditions of RCTs can be difficult to attain when conducting research among individuals living with a confluence of disability, low socioeconomic status, and being a member of a racial/ethnic minority group, who may be more likely to have unstable life circumstances. Research on effective interventions for these groups is urgently needed, because evidence regarding approaches to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes is lacking. In this methodologic article, we discuss the challenges and lessons learned in implementing the Lifestyle Redesign for Pressure Ulcer Prevention in Spinal Cord Injury study among a highly disadvantaged population. These issues are discussed in terms of strategies to enhance recruitment, retention, and intervention relevance to the target population. Recommendations for researchers seeking to conduct RCTs among socioeconomically disadvantaged, ethnically diverse populations are provided.
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA. Beth.pyatak@usc.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Pyatak
authors.forename: Erna I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Blanche
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Garber
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Jeanine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blanchard
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Florindez
authors.forename: Florence A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011788:Quality of Life; D044469:Racial Groups; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations