Effects of participant compensation amounts on missing data and urine screen results among adolescent and young adult opioid dependent clinical trial participants.

This ancillary investigation of data from protocol CTN-0010 (“Buprenorphine/Naloxone-Facilitated Rehabilitation for Opioid Dependent Adolescents/Young Adults”) examined the effect of monetary incentives on rates of missing data and observed rates of drug use among opioid dependent subjects aged 15-21 during participation in a randomized trial. Subjects seeking treatment for opioid dependence were randomized to 2 weeks of detoxification with buprenorphine/naloxone (DETOX) or 12 weeks of buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP), each with weekly individual and group drug counseling. At weeks 4, 8, and 12, extensive assessments were done and participants were given $75. At all other weeks, assessment was limited to urine drug screen and self-report of drug use, and compensation was only $5. A comparison of drug screens that were missing, positive for opioids, and negative for opioids in the high-reimbursement weeks versus the low-reimbursement rates found that rates of missing data were significantly lower for the high-reimbursement weeks than for the low ones.

This study demonstrated in quantitative terms the effect of participant compensation on rates of missing data and rates of documented drug use and abstinence. The results demonstrate the importance of adequate compensation to maintain follow-up rates, and suggest that the higher compensation rates preferentially enhanced follow-up rates among those who were using opioids.

Related protocols: CTN-0010