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CompletedNCT00102076Updated Jul 2, 2017

Implementing the Assent Requirement for Research With Children

An observational study in Healthy, sponsored by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC). Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 7 Years to 14 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2017-07-02.

Sponsored by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · Observational

Study type
Observational
Enrollment
800
Ages
7 Years to 14 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

One of the principal safeguards mandated by the Federal Regulations governing clinical research with children is the assent requirement: children who are capable must provide an affirmative agreement to participate unless the research "holds out a prospect of direct benefit that is important to the health or well-being of the children and is available only in the context of the research" (46.408). Despite the importance of the assent requirement, the Federal regulations offer no guidelines on its implementation. In the present study, we propose to survey children and one of their parents in order to obtain information concerning children's role in making decisions concerning their participation in clinical research. Five elements of children's involvement in the decision-making process with respect to their participation in clinical research will be assessed: 1) receipt of information concerning the available options; 2) understanding of this information; 3) assessment of the available options; 4) expression of a preferred option; and 5) coordination with parental decision-making.

Three groups will be enrolled: 1. Minor/Parent pairs where the minor is participating in, or is in follow-up for, a drug treatment research study for cancer 2. Minor/Parent pairs where the minor is participating in, or is in follow-up for, a drug treatment research study for asthma, and 3. Minor/Parent pairs where the minor is receiving on-going clinical care for asthma. Children 7-14 years of age will be enrolled. Total enrollment will be 400 subject pairs, approximately 150 in cancer research, 150 in asthma research and 100 involved in clinical care for asthma, with approximate balance between the sites. Two formalized survey instruments - research/clinical minor, research/clinical parent - will be developed in consultation with Research Triangle Institute (RTI).

Read the detailed description

One of the principal safeguards mandated by the Federal Regulations governing clinical research with children is the assent requirement: children who are capable must provide an affirmative agreement to participate unless the research "holds out a prospect of direct benefit that is important to the health or well-being of the children and is available only in the context of the research" (46.408). Despite the importance of the assent requirement, the Federal regulations offer no guidelines on its implementation. In the present study, we propose to survey children and one of their parents in order to obtain information concerning children's role in making decisions concerning their participation in clinical research. Five elements of children's involvement in the decision-making process with respect to their participation in clinical research will be assessed: 1) receipt of information concerning the available options; 2) understanding of this information; 3) assessment of the available options; 4) expression of a preferred option; and 5) coordination with parental decision-making.

Three groups will be enrolled: 1. Minor/Parent pairs where the minor is participating in, or is in follow-up for, a drug treatment research study for cancer 2. Minor/Parent pairs where the minor is participating in, or is in follow-up for, a drug treatment research study for asthma, and 3. Minor/Parent pairs where the minor is receiving on-going clinical care for asthma. Children 7-14 years of age will be enrolled. Total enrollment will be 400 subject pairs, approximately 150 in cancer research, 150 in asthma research and 100 involved in clinical care for asthma, with approximate balance between the sites. Two formalized survey instruments - research/clinical minor, research/clinical parent - will be developed in consultation with Research Triangle Institute (RTI).

02

Conditions studied

  • Healthy

Keywords

  • Minimal
  • Risk
  • Regulations
  • Parents
  • IRB
  • Surgery
  • Assent Requirement
03

In context

Lead sponsor

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) is the lead sponsor of 367 studies on the registry; 27 are open to participants now.

Of its 22 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 18 (82%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
7 Years to 14 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Children in Research Studies:

  • Currently enrolled in an ongoing medical intervention protocol, including follow-up, for cancer or asthma at one of the participating sites.
  • Post initial visit.
  • Enrolled within the previous year.
  • Physically and cognitively able to participate in a 30 minute interview.
  • Ability to understand and speak English.
  • Age 7-14.

Parents of Children in Research Studies:

  • Parent of an eligible research child.
  • Physically and cognitively able to participate in a 30 minute interview.
  • Ability to understand and speak English.

Children Receiving Clinical Care:

  • Receiving clinical care at a clinic at one of the participating sites for cancer or asthma.
  • Post initial visit.
  • Physically and cognitively able to participate in a 30 minute interview.
  • Ability to understand and speak English.
  • Age 7-14.

Parents of Children Receiving Care:

  • Parent of an eligible clinical minor.
  • Physically and cognitively able to participate in a 30 minute interview.
  • Ability to understand and speak English.

Exclusion criteria

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Inability to speak English.

Inability to understand spoken English.

05

Study design

Enrollment
800 participants
06

Study locations

1 site
  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
    Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
07

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jul 2, 2017, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00102076
Lead sponsor
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
First posted
Jan 20, 2005
Start date
Nov 16, 2001
Completion
Sep 18, 2006
Last update
Jul 2, 2017
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Sep 2006. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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