Decentralized Clinical Trials For Older Adults: Mobile Research Trends And Recommendations

By Miranda McLaren

The growing demographic of adults aged 65 and older, projected to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050 in the United States, necessitates a significant shift in clinical trial methodologies. Older adults, who consume approximately 34% of all prescription medications in the US, are critically underrepresented in clinical research. Traditional clinical trials face recruitment and enrollment challenges, particularly in areas like Alzheimer's Disease, where trials are notably slow and costly. Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCTs) offer a promising solution to these issues by incorporating elements such as mobile visits, eDiaries, telemedicine, and direct-to-patient IMP delivery.

This article explores how DCTs can be tailored to suit the needs of older adults, potentially transforming the landscape of geriatric clinical research and addressing the unique challenges faced by this growing population.