Autistic adults' views on the design and processes within randomised controlled trials: The APRiCoT study.
Lucy Beasant, Alba Realpe, Sarah Douglas and 3 others
PMID 37882480WHAT IT FOUND
Autistic adults valued RCT fairness but feared uncertainty and past healthcare mistreatment.
They prioritized co-production, precise language, and flexible communication to build trust. These are participant preferences for trial design, not evidence of treatment efficacy.
Key findings
01Participants viewed randomisation and blinding as acceptable because they ensured fairness and honesty, though they worried about the uncertainty these processes introduce.
02Distrust of healthcare professionals and fear of being misunderstood or having side effects were major barriers, often stemming from previous negative clinical experiences.
03To mitigate barriers, participants requested co-production with the autistic community, detailed easy-to-read information, and flexible communication channels like email.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The sample was highly educated, with 69% holding a college or bachelor's degree or higher, which may not represent the broader autistic population. Participants were recruited through a charity network, potentially selecting for individuals already interested in research. The study did not include autistic people with intellectual disabilities. Data on ethnicity and co-occurring health conditions were not collected. Findings reflect hypothetical views on RCT participation rather than actual trial experiences.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the Avon and Wiltshire Partnership NHS Trust, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR HTA programme.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as evidence that RCTs are effective or ineffective for autistic adults. This study reports participant preferences and barriers to trial participation, not clinical outcomes. Additionally, the sample was highly educated and recruited via research-interest networks, so these views may not apply to autistic adults with higher support needs or those who are not already engaged with research communities.