Monitoring recruitment success and cost in a randomized clinical trial.

Recruitment of older adults into research studies is challenging and, as a consequence, the recruitment period is often extended and more expensive than planned. This study monitored the effectiveness (number of subjects attracted) and cost of different recruitment strategies when recruiting edentulous elderly adults. Socio-demographic data were gathered and compared to 2001 Canadian census data. Advertisements in major Montreal newspapers attracted the most people (24.3%). However, the most economical recruitment method proved to be placement of ads in senior newspapers (dollar 73.74 per subject). The information gathered in this study will assist others in planning recruitment strategies for edentulous elderly populations.