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Reducing High-Risk Geriatric Polypharmacy Via EHR Nudges R01 Trial
NCT05656560 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
High-risk polypharmacy is common among older adults in the United States, is particularly dangerous for individuals with dementia or cognitive impairment, and is associated with harms such as adverse drug reactions, falls, and higher costs of care. This project aims to test in a pragmatic clinic-randomized controlled trial two electronic health record-based behavioral economic nudges to help clinicians reduce high-risk polypharmacy among their older adult patients and in the subgroup with dementia or cognitive impairment. The main questions this trial aims to answer are: Aim 1: To evaluate the effects of an EHR-based commitment nudge, a justification nudge, and the combination of both nudges on a composite measure of high-risk polypharmacy via a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. The investigators will use cluster randomization in which primary care clinics are randomized to receive 0, 1, or 2 nudges using a factorial design. The nudges will run for 18 months, followed by 12 months of observation to assess persistence of effects. Aim 2: To qualitatively and quantitatively assess clinician experiences with the EHR-based nudges, including their acceptability and effects on workflow. At the conclusion of the intervention period, the investigators will perform semi-structured interviews and field a clinician survey.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- BEHAVIORAL Clinical decision support (CDS)-Commitment nudge
- OTHER Clinician education
- BEHAVIORAL Clinical decision support (CDS)-Justification nudge
Study Locations (2)
Illinois
- Northwestern Medicine — Chicago
Pennsylvania
- UPMC — Pittsburgh
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 786 participants |
| Start Date | 2023-06-08 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-05-31 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT05656560
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT05656560 describes a study currently listed as active not recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 786 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Northwestern University, which has 1,033 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Polypharmacy appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 3 interventions — of which Clinical decision support (CDS)-Commitment nudge is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT05656560 reports 2 study locations spanning 2 distinct geographic areas — top geographies include Illinois, Pennsylvania. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT05656560 about?
NCT05656560 is a clinical study titled "Reducing High-Risk Geriatric Polypharmacy Via EHR Nudges R01 Trial". High-risk polypharmacy is common among older adults in the United States, is particularly dangerous for individuals with dementia or cognitive impairment, and is associated with harms such as adverse drug reactions, falls, and higher costs of care. This project aims to test in a pragmatic clinic-ran...
What is the current status of trial NCT05656560?
This trial is currently active not recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 786 participants. The study started on 2023-06-08. Estimated completion is 2026-05-31.
What conditions does trial NCT05656560 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Polypharmacy. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT05656560?
The interventions under investigation include: Clinical decision support (CDS)-Commitment nudge (BEHAVIORAL), Clinician education (OTHER), Clinical decision support (CDS)-Justification nudge (BEHAVIORAL). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT05656560?
This trial is sponsored by Northwestern University, which has 1,033 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT05656560 being conducted?
This trial has 2 study locations across Illinois, Pennsylvania. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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