When it comes to long-term clinical trials, patient engagement is everything. But as time goes on, even the most committed participants can lose motivation, especially if the burden of reporting becomes repetitive or intrusive. That’s where a well-designed ePRO (electronic Patient-Reported Outcome) system makes all the difference.
At Xolomon, we believe digital tools should support, not overwhelm, patients throughout the research journey. Here’s how thoughtful ePRO design can prevent fatigue and ensure high-quality data in long-term studies.
Understand the burden
Patient fatigue isn’t just about tiredness. In a research context, it refers to reduced engagement, delayed submissions or incomplete data, all of which impact trial quality. Long-term trials (spanning several months or years) increase the risk of this happening.
By using ePRO software, sponsors and CROs can make the reporting experience smoother and more intuitive, reducing the sense of burden on participants.
Simplify the experience
The key is to make ePRO forms easy to complete, consistent and relevant. That means:
• Minimising unnecessary questions
• Using clear, everyday language
• Pre-filling known information where possible
• Allowing mobile-friendly access
A simple interface encourages daily or weekly use, without patients feeling like they’re constantly “doing homework”.
Time it right
Frequency matters. Too many notifications can overwhelm, while too few may lead to missed data. The ideal approach is personalised scheduling, which adapts the timing and type of prompts based on the patient’s stage in the trial or treatment cycle.
This helps to keep the process human, while still gathering reliable data for the research team.
Build in motivation
With the right ePRO tool, trial teams can monitor patterns of engagement in real time. If fatigue starts to show, longer completion times, skipped entries, or complaints, study coordinators can intervene early, adjust the design, or support the patient.
At Xolomon, our customisable ePRO system lets you track this behaviour and act fast, before data loss becomes a problem.
Xolomon: making research accessible
Long-term trials depend on patient consistency. But consistency comes from designing systems that work for real people, not just protocols. An ePRO platform that’s flexible, friendly, and well-timed is the best way to protect your study from fatigue-related dropouts.
Whether you’re running large-scale studies or small pilot trials, Xolomon’s ePRO solution helps you stay connected to your participants, every step of the way.
