title: Clinical research for older adults in rural areas: the MINDED study experience.
abstract: Due to the growing need to make clinical decisions based on valid and objective scientific evidence, the number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has increased over the last three decades. Nevertheless, evidence-based medicine has still limited applicability in older adults, because they are often excluded from clinical trials. Evidence-based medicine is even more challenging in rural areas, as its remote environment provides additional barriers. Nevertheless, given the high prevalence of older adults living in rural settings, research in this type of environment has become crucial. This can only be accomplished by considering the multiple additional challenges of these regions. In this paper, we examine potential environmental, procedural, and participants' barriers to the management of a RCT in a rural area. Possible solutions and suggestions are provided based on our experience-from the Multidomain Intervention to preveNt Disability in ElDers (MINDED) project.
authors.affiliation: Gérontopôle, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France. b.fougere@gmail.com.|Institut du Vieillissement, Gérontopôle, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, 37 Allées Jules Guesde, 31000, Toulouse, France. b.fougere@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fougère
authors.affiliation: Département de Kinanthropologie, Université du Québec À Montréal, Montréal, Canada.|Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Mylène
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aubertin-Leheudre
authors.affiliation: Gérontopôle, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.|Inserm UMR1027, Université de Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.|Institut du Vieillissement, Gérontopôle, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, 37 Allées Jules Guesde, 31000, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vellas
authors.affiliation: Inserm UMR1027, Université de Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andrieu
authors.affiliation: Gérontopôle, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Demougeot
authors.affiliation: Gérontopôle, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cluzan
authors.affiliation: Gérontopôle, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.|Inserm UMR1027, Université de Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.|Institut du Vieillissement, Gérontopôle, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, 37 Allées Jules Guesde, 31000, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cesari
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: MINDED; Older adult; Randomized controlled trial; Rural areas