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Behavioural interventions to increase uptake of FIT colorectal screening in Scotland (TEMPO): a nationwide, eight-arm, factorial, randomised controlled trial

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Citation

Robb KA, Young B, Murphy MK, Duklas P, McConnachie A, Hollands GJ, McCowan C, Macdonald S, O'Carroll RE, O'Connor RC & Steele RJC (2025) Behavioural interventions to increase uptake of FIT colorectal screening in Scotland (TEMPO): a nationwide, eight-arm, factorial, randomised controlled trial. O'Carroll R (Researcher) The Lancet, 405 (10484), pp. 1081-1092. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736%2824%2902813-7

Abstract
Background Uptake of colorectal cancer screening is suboptimal. The TEMPO trial evaluated the impact of two evidence-based, theory-informed, and co-designed behavioural interventions on uptake of faecal immunochemical test (FIT) colorectal screening. Methods TEMPO was a 2?¡Á?4 factorial, eight-arm, randomised controlled trial embedded in the nationwide Scottish Bowel Screening Programme. All 40?000 consecutive adults (aged 50¨C74 years) eligible for colorectal screening were allocated to one of eight groups using block randomisation: (1) standard invitation; (2) 1-week suggested FIT return deadline; (3) 2-week deadline; (4) 4-week deadline; (5) problem-solving planning tool (no deadline); (6) planning tool plus 1-week deadline; (7) planning tool plus 2-week deadline; (8) planning tool plus 4-week deadline. The primary outcome was the proportion of FITs returned correctly completed to be tested by the colorectal screening laboratory providing a positive or negative result, within 3 months of the FIT being mailed to a person. The trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05408169. Findings From June 19 to July 3, 2022, 5000 participants were randomly assigned per group, with no loss to follow-up. 266 participants met the exclusion criteria; 39?734 (19?909 [50¡¤1%] female and 19?825 [49¡¤9%] male; mean age 61¡¤2 [SD 7¡¤3] years) were included in the analysis. The control group (no deadline, and no planning tool) had a 3-month FIT return rate of 66¡¤0% (3275 of 4965). The highest return rate was seen with a 2-week deadline without the planning tool (3376 [68¡¤0%] of 4964; difference vs control of 2¡¤0% [95% CI 0¡¤2 to 3¡¤9]). The lowest return rate was seen when the planning tool was given without a deadline (3134 [63¡¤2%] of 4958; difference vs control of ¨C2¡¤8% [¨C4¡¤7 to ¨C0¡¤8]). The primary analysis, assuming independent effects of the two interventions, suggested a clear positive effect of giving a deadline (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1¡¤13 [1¡¤08 to 1¡¤19]; p<0¡¤0001), and no effect for use of a planning tool (aOR 0¡¤98 [0¡¤94 to 1¡¤02]; p=0¡¤34), though this was complicated by an interaction between the two interventions (pinteraction=0¡¤0041); among those who were given a deadline, there was no evidence that receiving a planning tool had any effect (aOR 1¡¤02 [0¡¤97 to 1¡¤07]; p=0¡¤53), but in the absence of a deadline, giving the planning tool appeared detrimental (aOR 0¡¤88 [0¡¤81 to 0¡¤96]; p=0¡¤0030). In the absence of the planning tool, there was little evidence that the use of a deadline had any effect on return rates at 3 months. However, secondary analyses indicated that the use of deadlines boosted earlier return rates (within 1, 2, and 4 weeks, particularly around the time of the deadline), and reduced the need to issue a reminder letter after 6 weeks, with no evidence that the planning tool had any positive impact, and without evidence of interactions between interventions. Interpretation Adding a single sentence suggesting a deadline for FIT return in the invitation letter to FIT colorectal screening resulted in more timely FIT return and reduced the need to issue reminder letters. This is a highly cost-effective intervention that could be easily implemented in routine practice. A planning tool had no positive effect on FIT return.

Journal
The Lancet: Volume 405, Issue 10484

StatusPublished
ContributorProfessor Ronan O'Carroll
Publication date31/03/2025
Date accepted by journal19/12/2024
URL
PublisherElsevier BV
ISSN0140-6736
eISSN1474-547X

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Professor Ronan O'Carroll

Professor Ronan O'Carroll

Professor, Psychology

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