Quality At Every Level: 3 ISCTM 2025 Findings That Strengthen Clinical Trial Rigor

By Marcela Roy, Joan Busner, Alan Kott, David Daniel

Clinical trial quality is often misunderstood as a final checkpoint, when in reality it influences every stage of study execution. This research, presented at the ISCTM 2025 Autumn Conference, explores three interconnected dimensions that shape the reliability and interpretability of CNS clinical trials: reviewer consistency, patient characterization, and measurement efficiency.

The first study examines how structured calibration can help Central Quality Reviewers maintain scoring accuracy over time. Findings from MDD and PTSD datasets show that performance can fluctuate without a system for regular recalibration, underscoring the need for defined benchmarks that support long-term reviewer reliability.

A second analysis investigates mood and anxiety symptoms in schizophrenia, revealing their prevalence and influence on PANSS outcomes. Anxiety in particular shows wide-ranging associations with multiple symptom domains, suggesting its role as a key driver of variability in clinical presentations.

The final study evaluates whether a 10-item PANSS model can offer a streamlined alternative to the traditional 30-item scale. Early evidence points to strong alignment between the two versions, with the abbreviated format showing promise for reducing burden without compromising precision.

Explore the full article to see how these threads come together to inform a cohesive, data-driven approach to trial quality.