Incentive Motivation Research Articles

How to Validate Consumer Self-Actualization or Narcissism through Social Media Services??

This research takes the perspective of tour and travel service companies in providing services through consumer self-actualization behavior or narcissism and adopts Maslow's hierarchy of needs framework to capture motivational intentions (Pincus, 2023). Researchers believe the findings of this research can provide insight for tour and travel service companies to strategy (1) Validate consumers' self-actualization needs or narcissism through satisfying social media services and the use of social media, (2) Create social media platforms to support operational needs and provide online service. This research uses a simple research design method with triangulation theory. Qualitative research (Rofiah & Bungin, 2021) with a phenomenological approach. The research locus was located at an East Java tour & travel company. The focus of this research was conducted on: 10 tour & travel company owners in East Java. The data analysis technique used is Manual Data Analysis Procedure (MDAP) by Rofiah, (2022), from the results of interviews accompanied by triangulation of sources, methods and theories it was found that to validate tour and travel consumers there are 3 important things that must be done by tour and travel companies : (1) Marketing Objectives (Geographic Segmentation, Psychographic Segmentation, Determining the Size of Market Segments, Suitability and Suitability, Adjusted to Market Demand, Demographic Segmentation, Behavioral Segmentation, Potential from Competitors, Brand Positioning/Company name); (2) Marketing Logic (Flexible Services Offered, Different Service Products, Prices Taking Market Prices into Account, Staged Payment System, Human Resources Based on Generations, Varied Products and Services, Offering a Guarantee System, Discounts/Rebates, Good Employee Attitudes ); (3) Promotion (Strategic Location, Easy Ordering Process, Dividing Marketing Team Based on Generation, Prioritizing Consumer Convenience, Online and Offline Promotion, Giving Door Prizes, Establishing Good Communication/Relationships, Following Trends/Something Viral)

Development of motivational mechanisms for risk transfer in public-private partnership projects

Subject. The article is devoted to the relations that arise between the State (public) partner and the private partner when distributing risks in public-private partnership (PPP) projects. Objectives. The study aims to establish features of motivation mechanisms designed to encourage private investors to accept the risks arising when making a PPP agreement. Methods. The basic research methodology is to determine the sensitivity of a private investor to certain types of risks based on systematization of motivation opportunities. The study employs content analysis and statistical data. Results. The paper identifies risk groups for which motivational incentives are applicable, and establishes standard motivational mechanisms. It notes that the formation of motivational mechanisms should consider key trends in the influence of the State on private investors. The areas that significantly influence the motivation of a private investor include, in particular, eliminating economic inequality of economic agents, opportunity to access innovation, solving social and environmental problems, creating a stable business environment and necessary infrastructure. Conclusions. Economic factors represent a key motivational element in risk allocation decisions, but they are not always completely dominant. Only a combination of individual and institutional measures can create an attractive environment for private investors considering the investment of their own capital in PPP projects. The findings can be used when concluding PPP project agreements at all levels, in accordance with the legislation on PPP, and ensuring the implementation of the proposed algorithm for the motivational mechanism formation.

RESULTS OF PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION THE INDEPENDENT WILL BE BUSY WITH PHYSICA EXERCISES IN STRESSFUL SITUATIONS AMONG YOUTH STUDENTS

The article examines the effectiveness of the program of independent physical exercises in stressful situations among students of the Dnipro National University named after Oles Gonchar.
 War is seen as a source of extreme stress that is unexpected and extremely intense. Its psycho-traumatic potential is connected with this. Therefore, it is important to understand what means can be used to bring a person out of a stressful state and to treat mild forms of mental disorders caused by stress. It is especially relevant to consider those methods of combating stress that do not require any additional costs, and therefore are generally available to everyone.
 A program of independent classes was developed according to scientific studies, which claim that anaerobic activity is as effective in stressful conditions as aerobic exercises, regime of alternating strength exercises and aerobics with a duration of 30 minutes. Exercise intensity was moderate to moderate, as any positive effect of exercise on reducing the risk of depressive symptoms may be limited by exercise intensity.
 Results received. The number of respondents who had a moderate degree of depression according to the Beck scale decreased by 15%. Also, the number of students with a mild degree of depression decreased by 34%, and the number of students with a normal psychological state increased accordingly (by 49%). Conclusions were made: 1. Self-exercise is an opportunity to support both physical and psychological health of a person. 2. In a stressful state, motor activity is a mandatory component for getting out of it and reducing its effect. 3. To reduce symptoms of depression, the focus should be on exercise frequency, not duration or intensity. 4. A mandatory condition for teachers of physical education departments of higher education institutions is the education of priority health orientations in students, motivational incentives for regular independent physical exercises, because systematic training is an important guarantee of normal physical and spiritual development of young people.

The Interactive Effect of Incentive Salience and Prosocial Motivation on Prosocial Behavior

Charities often use incentives to increase prosocial action. However, charities sometimes downplay these incentives in their messaging (pilot study), possibly to avoid demotivating donors. We challenge this strategy, examining whether increasing the salience of incentives for prosocial action can in fact motivate charitable behavior. Three controlled experiments (N = 2,203 adults) and a field study with an alumni-donation campaign (N = 22,468 adults) found that more (vs. less) salient incentives are more effective at increasing prosocial behavior when prosocial motivation is low (vs. high). This is because more (vs. less) salient incentives increase relative consideration of self-interest (vs. other-regarding) benefits, which is a stronger driver of behavior at low (vs. high) levels of prosocial motivation. By identifying that prosocial motivation moderates the effect of incentive salience on charitable behavior, and by detailing the underlying mechanism, we advance theory and practice on incentive salience, motivation, and charitable giving.

Transcriptomic effects of paternal cocaine-seeking on the reward circuitry of male offspring

It has been previously established that paternal development of a strong incentive motivation for cocaine can predispose offspring to develop high cocaine-seeking behavior, as opposed to sole exposure to the drug that results in drug resistance in offspring. However, the adaptive changes of the reward circuitry have not been fully elucidated. To infer the key nuclei and possible hub genes that determine susceptibility to addiction in offspring, rats were randomly assigned to three groups, cocaine self-administration (CSA), yoked administration (Yoke), and saline self-administration (SSA), and used to generate F1. We conducted a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of the male F1 offspring across seven relevant brain regions, both under drug-naïve conditions and after cocaine self-administration. Pairwise differentially expressed gene analysis revealed that the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) exhibited more pronounced transcriptomic changes in response to cocaine exposure, while the dorsal hippocampus (dHip), dorsal striatum (dStr), and ventral tegmental area (VTA) exhibited changes that were more closely associated with the paternal voluntary cocaine-seeking behavior. Consistently, these nuclei showed decreased dopamine levels, elevated neuronal activation, and elevated between-nuclei correlations, indicating dopamine-centered rewiring of the midbrain circuit in the CSA offspring. To determine if possible regulatory cascades exist that drive the expression changes, we constructed co-expression networks induced by paternal drug addiction and identified three key clusters, primarily driven by transcriptional factors such as MYT1L, POU3F4, and NEUROD6, leading to changes of genes regulating axonogenesis, synapse organization, and membrane potential, respectively. Collectively, our data highlight vulnerable neurocircuitry and novel regulatory candidates with therapeutic potential for disrupting the transgenerational inheritance of vulnerability to cocaine addiction.

Mobile Identity Protection: The Moderation Role of Self-Efficacy

The rapid growth of mobile applications and the associated increased dependency on digital identity raises the growing risk of identity theft and related fraud. Hence, protecting identity in a mobile environment is a problem. This study develops a model that examines the role of identity protection self-efficacy in increasing users’ motivation intentions to achieve actual mobile identity protection. Our research found that self-efficacy significantly affects the relationship between users’ perceived threat appraisal and their motivational intentions for identity protection. The relation between mobile users’ protection, motivational intentions, and actual mobile identity protection actions was also found to be significant. Additionally, the findings revealed the considerable impact of awareness in fully mediating between self-efficacy and actual identity protection. The model and its hypotheses are empirically tested through a survey of 383 mobile users, and the findings are validated through a panel of experts, thus confirming the impact of self-efficacy on an individual’s identity protection in the mobile context.

The cost of monitoring in time-based prospective memory

Time-based prospective memory (TBPM) involves remembering to perform actions at specific times in the future. Several studies suggest that monetary consequences improve prospective remembering; however, the effect of monetary consequences on strategic time monitoring (i.e., clock-checking behaviour) in TBPM is still unknown. The present study investigated how the monetary costs on clock-checking affected TBPM accuracy and strategic time monitoring. Participants performed an ongoing lexical decision task while carrying out a TBPM task every two minutes. Motivational incentives were manipulated across three experimental conditions: a single-cost condition in which missed TBPM responses led to monetary deductions, a double-cost condition in which both missed responses and time monitoring led to monetary deductions, and a control condition with no monetary deductions. Overall, the findings indicated that monetary costs on clock-checking prompted more parsimonious strategic time monitoring behaviour, which negatively impacted TBPM accuracy. These results emphasize the importance of weighing the motivational aspects involved in strategic monitoring, shedding light on the complex relationship between clock-checking behaviour, its consequences, and TBPM performance.

P557 Data communication practices for reporting health care outcomes to improve quality of care: A scoping review

Abstract Background Value-based health care (VBHC) aims to improve care quality while minimizing costs. An important mechanism of VBHC involves monitoring and reporting health care outcomes to health care providers (HCPs) through data communication (DC) or data feedback. For complex diseases like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), unwarranted variation in care practices is ubiquitous. Health care data can be used to improve care by showing insights about achieved outcomes and practice variation to HCPs. While some tentative best practices for DC exist, a comprehensive overview is needed to gain a better understanding of how to effectively report health care outcomes to HCPs. This scoping review addresses this gap by examining the use and effectiveness of DC practices not only within the specific realm of IBD but also drawing insights from other clinical fields. Methods Studies that implemented and evaluated DC to engage HCPs with data and improve outcomes with qualitative or quantitative designs were sought. Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and PsycINFO were searched for publications in English between 2010 - April 2023. Two researchers reviewed titles, abstracts and extracted data from eligible full texts. Results We screened 5,857 studies and included 239: 51 randomized controlled trials, 28 quasi-experimental, 121 pre-post intervention, and 39 qualitative studies. In 35% of those, feedback was implemented in acute care, 30% in primary care, 25% in tertiary care and 10% in other settings. Most interventions (76%) combined DC with co-interventions targeting HCPs’ intrinsic (providing education, post-feedback discussions) and/or extrinsic motivation (incentives, social influence). Additionally, 80 (33%) studies included nudges as part of co-interventions: action toolbox (n=38), reminders (n=28), posters to visualize compliance (n=12) and commitment messages (n=2). Best practices used in DC design included ‘benchmarking with peers’ (n=131), ‘timely feedback’ (n=141), and ‘active delivery of feedback’ (n=147). Most pre-post studies showed positive outcomes (96%), while only 63% of the studies with controlled designs showed positive improvements in outcomes. Conclusion The findings of our study highlight the use of DC (co-)interventions in various clinical fields. Additionally, we identified only few studies with controlled designs. In the future, studies with controlled designs testing the effectiveness of DC strategies and additive effects of different co-interventions are warranted to facilitate targeted improvements, particularly in the care of IBD patients, where care practices vary widely.

Pengaruh Insentif dan Komitmen Organisasional terhadap Motivasi Kerja Dosen pada Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kerinci

This This abstract discusses the work motivation of lecturers at the Kerinci State Islamic Institute (IAIN) with a focus on the influence of incentives and commitment on work motivation. This research methodology involves the use of a questionnaire distributed to 70 IAIN Kerinci lecturers to collect primary data. Data collection also involved interviews, library research, and field research. Data analysis includes testing validity and reliability using statistical programs, such as SPSS. The test results show that most of the statements in the questionnaire are valid and reliable for use in this research. Descriptions of respondents based on age, gender, education and marital status are also presented in this abstract. Apart from that, there is an explanation of the results of the data normality test which shows that the incentive, commitment and work motivation variables have a distribution that tends to be normal. In this research, it is explained that there is a significant influence between incentives, commitment and work motivation on.

Decoding Gen Y Online Shopping Patterns: A Model-based Study

Consumer decision-making has been examined extensively by both marketers and researchers. This examination is not only instrumental in identifying market challenges and opportunities but also in strategizing to address these profitably. This particular study aims to fill such a research void by exploring and analysing the factors that contribute to understanding consumer decision-making styles, specifically in the context of online apparel shopping among Indian Generation Y consumers. A sample of 335 Generation Y consumers was surveyed, and exploratory factor analysis was carried out using SPSS 26 to identify the dominant decision-making styles. Following this, confirmatory factor analysis was performed using SPSS AMOS to validate the existence of the model. The outcomes of this study indicate that the decision-making styles of Generation Y are significantly influenced by multiple factors including website quality consciousness, hedonic and incentive motivations, societal and external circumstances, as well as novelty orientation and impulsiveness.

The Mesocortical System Encodes the Strength of Subsequent Force Generation.

Our minds impact motor outputs. Such mind-motor interactions are critical for understanding motor control mechanisms and optimizing motor performance. In particular, incentive motivation strongly enhances motor performance. Dopaminergic neurons located in the ventral midbrain (VM) are believed to be the center of incentive motivation. Direct projections from the VM to the primary motor cortex constitute a mesocortical pathway. However, the functional role of this pathway in humans remains unclear. Recently, we demonstrated the functional role of the mesocortical pathway in human motor control in the context of incentive motivation by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Incentive motivation remarkably improved not only reaction times but also the peak grip force in subsequent grip responses. Although the reaction time has been used as a proxy for incentive motivation mediated by dopaminergic midbrain activity, the premovement activity of the mesocortical pathway is involved in controlling the force strength rather than the initiation of subsequent force generation. In this commentary, we review our recent findings and discuss remaining questions regarding the functional role of the mesocortical pathway in mind-motor interactions.

The phenomenon of creative self-reflection and the problem of creating a biography of the writer

The article deals with the consideration of numerous cases of the writer's self-reflection when creating his scientific biography, about the dialogical links of biography with the epoch. The creative life of an artist can develop both thanks to and despite the influence of time, or even independently of it. Attention is paid to the problem of the gradual formation of the writer, the creative person's awareness of his own mission, his socio-cultural destiny. There is an important question about the incentive motives for choosing a profession, which include a fateful meeting with a great artist, and the burden of accumulated life impressions, and the experienced psychological trauma. The importance of the writer's diverse reception of someone else's aesthetic experience is great. The attitude to this experience can be expressed as a triad: influence, repulsion, mutual enrichment. The article discusses the dual role of the creative crisis (the annoying lack of a theme, the feeling of exhaustion and frustration, the impoverishment of creative means), which can be considered not only as a failure, but also as a rare chance of a probable productive renewal. The examples of such radical renewal in the creative life of V.P. Kataev, Yu.V. Trifonov, V.F. Tendryakov in the 1960-1970s are given. In addition, the article takes into account the phenomenon of the literary generation, belonging to which can become a school for the writer and help him to determine the vector of further development, the problems of creativity, the choice of artistic language, creative manner. The author talks about the special importance of cultural generation and the own individual creative code developed by the writer, which the writer will pass on to future literary generations.

MULTIMODALITY AND NEUROCOPYWRITING AS DIGITAL COMMERCIAL NARRATIVE STRATEGIES

The article discusses the strategies and tactics of the commercial narrative, which enable a pragmatic influence on the cognitive, emotional, and volitional sphere of the addressee-potential consumer. In a commercial narrative, verbal and non-verbal components form one visual, structural, meaningful, and functional whole. The purpose of our research is to analyze the techniques and tactics of implementing multimodality and neurocopywriting strategies in the English-language digital commercial narrative. In accordance with the set goal, the tasks of the article are: - Present the types of commercial narrative; - Determine the main tactics of neurocopywriting and multimodality in sales texts in the conditions of digital commerce transformation; - Analyze lingual and paralingual means of implementing commercial narrative tactics. We consider the commercial narrative as a combination of modes in the stereoscopy of semiotic and cognitive approaches. The development of Svitlana Zhabotynska was chosen as an appropriate methodology for the analysis of multimodality, and the definition of storytelling tactics is based on the main positions of David Herman. The elements of the method of quantitative calculations made it possible to generalize the obtained results. The success of the commercial narrative in its two types (branding and sales storytelling) is achieved through the interaction of different modes of sensorics, which change states of consciousness and participate in the receiver’s decision-making. The simultaneous combination of the codes of different sign systems to construct the recipient’s emotions and decisions is the essence of the multimodality strategy in the commercial narrative. The article analyzes the tactics of creating a commercial narrative with a certain construction of meaning through the interference of a complex of lingual and paralingual means. The cognitive dominance of the commercial narrative (conveying familiar information in an unusual way or from a new perspective, focusing on the advantages of the object of the offer: “Elaboration, Extending, Questioning, Combining” according to S. Zhabotynska) should cause a certain emotional reaction (surprise, expectation, trust) in the consumer, constructing a certain image. The purpose of creating such an image is to set the consumer in a positive mood and create motivational incentives. It is for the purpose of stimulating neurotransmitters that there is a need for the design of sales storytelling using specific linguistic means: allusions, emotionally-tinged vocabulary, unusual combinations of words, various resources of intertextuality that stimulate sensory sensations, and, in turn, is the task of the neurocopywriting strategy in commercial narrative. Table Landscape of responses made it possible to determine the digital reputation of the commercial narrative (concentration of meanings, general awareness, and recognition (authority), and the analysis of sales reports on the official companies’ websites and reviews in social networks visualized the result of the audit of the success of the commercial narrative. The study of the pragmatics of multimodality strategies and neurocopywriting in the modern digital space of commercial communication is an actual and promising research field in linguistics.

THE PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION PAID TO EMPLOYEES

This article validates indicators such as performance-based compensation, a pay plan that links employee compensation to performance, and any contingent element.There are several different ways to determine an employee's total compensation. For example, compensation may depend on the complexity of situations and the tasks involved. And compensation can be monetary or non-monetary. It is explained that compensation based on the employee's productivity or competence does not always refer to financial rewards, even if the reward for work primarily involves the expression of wages in money.The global financial crisis caused the need to rationalize the staffing of corporations, led to a revision of motivation and labor incentives, to maintain the socio-economic activity of wages and other payments to the organization's personnel at an effective level.The lack of principles on the organization of personnel Awards leads to a clear violation of the relationship between the employee and the organization.

Identification of neural circuits controlling male sexual behavior and sexual motivation by manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Different techniques have been used to identify the brain regions that control sexual motivation and sexual behavior. However, the influence of sexual experience on the activation of these brain regions in the same subject is unknown. Using manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI), we analyzed the activation of brain regions in the sexual incentive motivation (SIM) and the partner preference PP (tests) on weeks 1, 5, and 10 in male rats tested for 10 weeks. AIM. In experiment 1, we analyzed the possible toxic effects of 16 mg/kg of MnCl2 on male sexual behavior, running wheel, and motor execution. In experiment 2, subjects were tested for SIM and PP using MEMRI. In both experiments, a dose of 16 mg/kg (s.c) of chloride manganese (MnCl2) was administered 24 h before subjects were tested and placed immediately thereafter in a 7-Tesla Bruker scanner. In experiment 1, the dose of 16 mg/kg of MnCl2 did not induce behavioral alterations that could interfere with interpreting the imaging data. In experiment 2, we found a clear preference for the female in both the SIM and PP tests. We found a higher signal intensity in the olfactory bulb (OB) in week 1 of the SIM test compared to the control group. We also found increased signal intensity in the socio-sexual behavior and mesolimbic reward circuits in the SIM test in week 1. In the PP test, we found a higher signal intensity in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in week 10 compared to the control group. In the same test, we found increased signal intensity in the socio-sexual and mesolimbic reward circuits in week 5 compared to the control group. Cohen's d analysis of the whole brain revealed that as the subjects gained sexual experience we observed a higher brain activation in the OB in the SIM group. The PP group showed higher brain activation in the cortex and subcortical structures as they acquired sexual experience. As the subjects gain sexual experience, more structures of the reward and socio-sexual circuits are recruited, resulting in different, and large brain activations.

Travellers’ Attitude and Intention towards post Covid-19 Travel: The Moderating Role of Traveller Personality Type

COVID-19 has crucially changed the motivations, attitudes, and behaviours of travellers. This study explores the shifts in travel attitudes after the COVID-19 pandemic and how these changes affect the intention for upcoming travels. It investigates the moderating role of the traveller personality in forming the relationships between travel attitude’s antecedents and future travel intention. The study adopts the deductive approach and employs the quantitative method to achieve its aim. It compares the perceptions collected via a questionnaire from random travellers from three countries: UAE, Egypt, and Jordan. PLS-SEM is used for data analysis. It is revealed that protection motivation intentions, destination selection factors, and travel patterns/ arrangements predict travel attitudes post the pandemic. Cautious travellers are highly concerned with protection intentions and destination selection post-epidemic compared with normal travellers. Findings help us understand the shifts in travel attitudes and intentions after the pandemic. Understating the influence of the epidemic on tourists’ attitudes and intention to travel post-pandemic is strongly needed to accelerate tourism recovery and ensure a safe travel environment for tourists. Theoretically, the study responds to the research calls for examining the changes in travel motivations, attitudes, and behaviours. Practically, the study profiles travellers based on their travel personality (i.e., cautious versus normal travellers) and identifies the characteristics of each category. This will help destination marketers and service providers to adopt the relevant strategies to meet the tourists’ needs, expectations and fears in the post-pandemic new normal.

Pelatihan Manajemen Untuk Meningkatkan Motivasi Pada PT PLN (Persero) ULP Singaraja

This study aims to find out: (1) Work saturation at PT PLN (Persero) Unit Layanan Pelanggan Singaraja, (2) Job rotation at PT PLN (Persero) Unit Layanan Pelanggan Singaraja, (3) Incentive motivation at PT PLN (Persero) Unit Layanan Pelanggan Singaraja. This research uses field observation and interview study methods. In this study, researchers found the problem of job burnout caused by several factors, namely the same job in the same field for a long period of time without job rotation and the absence of incentives when employees succeed in achieving targets or even exceeding targets. Based on this problem, researchers provide advice to the management of PT PLN (Persero) Unit Layanan Pelanggan Singaraja so that management re-evaluates the job rotation and Incentive motivation in the form of incentives to employees so that employee health and performance can improve.

Implementation of the Accelerated Stunting Handling Program

The East Bogor District Government implemented an accelerated stunting handling program to reduce stunting. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing the acceleration program for handling stunting in the East Bogor Regency. The research method used is descriptive quantitative research. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaires given to respondents. The collected data was analyzed using the Weight Mean Score (WMS) method to calculate the average score of respondents. The research results show that the program accelerates treatment stunting in East Bogor District, Bogor City, which is very good. The dimensions of communication, resources, attitude of implementers, bureaucratic structure, and provision of PMT and MPASI show an average score of 87%, included in the perfect criteria. In the PMT and MPASI dimensions, the average score reached 90%, indicating the program's success in terms of PMT and MPASI. These results show that the East Bogor District Government firmly understands the importance of appointing bureaucrats/program implementers, providing work motivation incentives, and responding well to statutory regulations. This research can be a basis for developing and improving treatment programs that are more effective in the East Bogor District and contribute to efforts to overcome problems in the region.

Assessing the Level of Job Engagement among Employees in Major Municipalities in the Gaza Strip

The aim of this study was to explore the reality of Job engagement and its components (job involvement, job satisfaction, and job enthusiasm) from the perspective of employees in the major municipalities in the Gaza Strip. The descriptive-analytical approach was used, with a study population of 2,714 employees. The sample consisted of 336 employees selected through stratified random sampling. A questionnaire was used as a data collection tool, and 227 questionnaires were retrieved, representing 75.89% of the study sample. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software to obtain the results. The study revealed several findings, the most prominent of which was the presence of Job engegement in the major municipalities in the Gaza Strip at a high level, with a rate of 71.7%. The study recommended that municipal management involve employees in decision-making processes and encourage them to contribute ideas and suggestions that contribute to work development through various competitions. It also recommended that municipal management pay more attention to the work environment, create a well-prepared environment, provide financial incentives in addition to motivational incentives, and provide opportunities for employees to attend training courses to enhance job satisfaction. Furthermore, the study emphasized the importance of addressing the psychological aspects of employees by designing stimulating programs aimed at increasing enthusiasm and dedication to work, as well as promoting cooperative work through organizing informative and educational seminars to ensure the continuous provision of services to the community.

Strategies in Recruitment and Retention of Patients with Sickle Cell Disease for a Single-Site Longitudinal Clinical Trial

Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) leads to vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) and increased healthcare use, disproportionately affecting Black/African Americans. Recruiting and retaining patients with SCD in clinical trials is challenging, with <5% participation rates (Masese et al., 2021) due to complexity, limited awareness, and socio-economic factors (Suarez et al., 2020). Addressing these obstacles to patient recruitment is crucial for advancing SCD research. An estimated 1,695 individuals in various counties in Indiana state are affected by SCD, with 87% being of Black/African American ethnicity (Okolo et al., 2023). The limited number of comprehensive SCD care centers poses significant challenges to recruitment for our ongoing single-site longitudinal trial in Indianapolis to explore the neurobiological mechanisms underlying pain in SCD and the effectiveness of acupuncture. The study consists of 14 in-person visits in 6-8 weeks with 12-month follow-up visits (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05045820). To address these recruitment challenges and ensure meaningful research outcomes, strategic communication, collaboration, and outreach efforts were undertaken to recruit eligible participants and ensure retention. This work aimed to identify factors affecting participant retention rates, including demographic differences between those who completed and those who dropped out. Study Design and Method SCD participants were recruited from either local hospitals, including the Indiana University Affiliated Hospitals and local hospitals (such as Eskenazi Hospital, St. Vincent and the Indiana Hemophilia & Thrombosis Center), or external organizations, such as the Martin Center SCD Initiative and community settings, such as churches and community care centers. Various media platforms and events, such as health fairs, campus center events, and church events, were employed to widen our outreach. Local events suggested by participants further reinforced the study's credibility among prospective participants. Retaining participants was achieved through robust and customized strategies throughout the study, including but not limited to 1) personalized real-time communication with the principal investigator, 2) regular check-ins to address concerns, 3) real-time appointment scheduling, rescheduling and reminding system, and 4) hybrid (remote/in-person) follow-up visits. Moreover, additional complementary strategies, such as motivational incentives, transportation vouchers, education platforms, actively listening to feedback, timely communication, and spiritual support were utilized to ensure our complete dedication to their well-being. Results We achieved high recruitment and retention rates in our study. So far, our retention rate is 87.1%. Of these, 24.19% completed the entire study, including in-person visits and the 12-month follow-up (n=15). 56.45% of participants are still actively enrolled in the study (n=35), while 12.9% have discontinued participation (n=8). Two participants were deceased. Our utilization of effective recruitment and retention strategies yielded continuous success in actively recruiting and retaining patients with SCD. Compared to the group of participants who dropped out from the study (n=8 total, female: n=2), participants who completed all scheduled study visits (n=15, female: n=12) were more likely to be female (p = 0.008, independent samples t-test) and have lower disease severity assessed by the frequency of VOCs in the preceding 12 months (p = 0.007, independent samples t-test). Participants recruited from external facilities/events yielded a significantly lower dropout rate than those recruited from local hospitals (p = 0.036, Chi-Square Tests). These results suggest the impact of gender, disease severity, and recruitment source on the retention rate. Conclusion The success of SCD clinical trials hinges on implementing personalized recruitment and retention strategies. Further efforts are necessary to explore innovative engagement methods targeting gender and disease-specific challenges while continuously forging solid partnerships with external facilities/organizations.