Before the approval of the PACE trial there were several similar failed submissions to the MRC - only when they added "Specialist" Medical Care and I think the involvement of Action for ME was the trial approved. Can someone point me to the rejected / failed trial applications? I *think* I remember one being submitted by White and Wessely, the finally approved one had Wessely's name removed I think.
There is this document which I believe went on to be part of the successful bid. I think it may mention changes to the previous rejected/failed application.
That's helpful thanks @Dolphin 6.1 A similar application of a much smaller two arm trial (FATIMA; Grant number G9825745) was submitted in full to the MRC in 1999, rated Alpha B, but not funded. The outline proposal of this study (G010039) was approved for a full proposal in October 2001. The major innovations in this application include close collaboration with Action for ME, two new arms (APT and UMC), a much larger number of subjects and centres, and the involvement of a clinical trial unit. 6.2 We submitted a similar trial to the Department of Social Security (now Work and Pensions) in 2000, and agreement in principle to fund was given, although final funding was not forth-coming. I wondered if there was more in the MRC's secret files.