A randomized controlled trial of a tailored interactive computer-delivered intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening: sometimes more is just the same

Abstract

Background: There have been few studies of tailored interventions to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.

Purpose: We conducted a randomized trial of a tailored, interactive intervention to increase CRC screening.

Methods: Patients 50-70 years completed a baseline survey, were randomized to one of three groups, and attended a wellness exam after being exposed to a tailored intervention about CRC screening (tailored group), a public web site about CRC screening (web site group), or no intervention (survey-only group). The primary outcome was completion of any recommended CRC screening by 6 months.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference in screening by 6 months: 30%, 31%, and 28% of the survey-only, web site, and tailored groups were screened. Exposure to the tailored intervention was associated with increased knowledge and CRC screening self-efficacy at 2 weeks and 6 months. Family history, prior screening, stage of change, and physician recommendation moderated the intervention effects.

Conclusions: A tailored intervention was not more effective at increasing screening than a public web site or only being surveyed.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Statement The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1

CONSORT flow diagram. *The intention-to-treat analyses included all eligible participants who responded to the baseline survey and were randomized to a study group regardless of further participation. In the per protocol analyses, we only included participants who completed their pre-exam study visit (and intervention, if assigned to the web site or tailored group)