The People’s Trial: your chance to be a scientist in a fun online trial - 6 Aug 2019

Sly Saint

Sly Saint

Senior Member (Voting Rights)


Today sees the launch of The People’s Trial, a bold new project from The Health Research Board – Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN) at the National University of Ireland, Galway, which invites members of the public to create and run a fun online clinical trial.

Do you want a fun activity to do this summer, which you can do for free and in the comfort of your own home, or on the train, or wherever you have access to the internet? Something that you, your auntie, co-worker, hairdresser and next-door-neighbour could all do? Something that makes you a scientist, even?
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The People’s Trial is an online project that invites members of the public to create and run a type of clinical trial – a randomised trial – alongside researchers, but also to take charge of it. A trial for the public and, crucially, by the public. This is YOUR trial.
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Why do a People’s Trial and what’s involved?
This is a great opportunity for people to learn about randomised trials, how they can answer a clinical question, and why they matter, by being involved in one in a unique way. In an age of misinformation, spin and ‘Dr Google’, it is really important that people are able to think critically about the health claims that confront us daily. Taking part in The People’s Trial will help people gain the knowledge and skills to do that.

It will also help researchers understand more about how best to involve people in future trials at all stages, from prioritizing research questions to sharing the results in ways that are useful.

Members of the public, supported by researchers, will design and run The People’s Trial, using different types of online participation and interaction that will include live video events and online decision making.
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full details here
https://www.evidentlycochrane.net/peoples-trial-fun-online-trial/
see also:
https://thepeoplestrial.ie/about-us/

any way we can use this?
 
Sly Saint said:
any way we can use this?
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Interesting thought, but I'd steer well clear of anything ME related being drawn into this.

It looks to me with my cynical hat on to be a PR exercise that will end up doing some sort of internet based junk science.

The example they give of 'does cheese give you nightmares' sounds about the level they are looking for. I can think of lots of others. Does eating cucumber make you burp? Does washing your hair every day make it greasier? Does chewing parsley take away garlic breath...
 
Trish said:
The example they give of 'does cheese give you nightmares'
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that is just a 'fun example'
see video



on twitter
https://twitter.com/ThePeoplesTrial

egs




eta: Professor Declan Devane outlines the project in a brief radio interview (from Aug8)
https://www.rte.ie/radio1/ryan-tubr...the-ryan-tubridy-show-thursday-8-august-2019/

the idea is that regardless of what the question chosen is, regardless of how trivial (it has to be non medical) they will take it through the same processes as a real RCT to teach people about the various stages and importance of all issues related to research trials.

If people were to ask pertinent questions along the way about for example the importance of blinding, subjective vs objective outcome measures etc (all of which they will allegedly cover) then the point (without directly going into anything specific) that most RCTs for 'well-established' therapies are unblinded and use predominantly subjective outcome measures it might help to at least raise some questions (not necessarily Jo Public but the others following the project).

Just a thought.
 
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Maybe eating cheese doesn't give you nightmares, but does make you remember your nightmares. The design of that trial is flawed. It's asking the wrong question. And it's far too complex - what sort of cheese, what quantity, what do you eat with cheese, how long before sleeping do you eat the cheese, how do you allow for only those who get nightmares after eating cheese bother to participate...

Sorry, in a silly mood today.
 
Why do a Cochrane Trial and what’s involved?
This is a great opportunity for Cochrane to learn about randomised trials, how they can answer a clinical question, and why they matter, by being involved in one. In an age of misinformation, spin and ‘Dr Google’, it is really important that Cochrane is able to think critically about the health claims that confront us daily. Taking part in The Cochrane Trial will help Cochrane gain the knowledge and skills to do that.

It will also help people understand more about how best to involve researchers in future trials at all stages, from prioritizing research questions to sharing the results in ways that are useful.

Members of Cochrane, supported by the public, will design and run The Cochrane Trial, using different types of online participation and interaction that will include live video events and online decision making.
 
Jonathan Edwards said:
Why do a Cochrane Trial and what’s involved?
This is a great opportunity for Cochrane to learn about randomised trials, how they can answer a clinical question, and why they matter, by being involved in one. In an age of misinformation, spin and ‘Dr Google’, it is really important that Cochrane is able to think critically about the health claims that confront us daily. Taking part in The Cochrane Trial will help Cochrane gain the knowledge and skills to do that.
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What happens if they decide to do an unblinded trial with self-report outcome measures?
 
Sly Saint said:
This is not being done by Cochrane.
"We are the Health Research Board-Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN) based in NUI Galway"
There is one person who worked for Cochrane on the team.
Sarah Chapman "Sarah writes for, and edits, Cochrane UK’s blog"
https://thepeoplestrial.ie/meet-the-team/
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There is another person from Cochrane on the team. Anna Noel-Storr the person behind Cochrane Crowd.
 
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