Effect

The Hawthorne Effect is a term used to describe a very beneficial effect seen in clinical trials. It occurs when participants change their behavior because they know they are being studied or observed in a clinical study. The origins come from a productivity study in Hawthorne Works, a Western Electric factory in the 1920s and 30s. The study attempted to discover a link between the amount of light and workers' productivity. When increasing the amount of light, productivity increased. Strangely, when lowering the amount of light, productivity also increased! Researchers attributed the increase in productivity simply to the workers being observed. In research, we tend to see increased participant engagement in their health simply because they are being observed in a study.

Let’s analyze a 2014 sleep study. Researchers measured 195 patients’ amount and quality of sleep at night. Eighty-one days later, before any medical intervention, researchers measured the patients again. They found that patients slept an average of 30 minutes longer per night and had an increased sleep quality. This was before any medication or intervention! The change was attributed to the Hawthorne Effect.

Patients at ENCORE Research Group comment on the excellent quality of care they receive during clinical trials. Instead of seeing a doctor for a few minutes once a year, patients see doctors and medical staff for much longer and are encouraged or required to call and report changes in health. Quality of care is increased and makes for a pleasant and healthful patient experience. Patients in clinical trials may also experience more observation time from medical professionals due to the attention to detail that clinical trials require for data integrity in studies.

Finally, patients are found to adhere better to medication requirements while undergoing clinical trials. The increased emphasis on accuracy and adherence results in better patient outcomes, even when they are part of a placebo or standard-of-care group.

In clinical trials, we see these benefits and must account for them. Randomization of patients helps spread the effect. Everyone sees increased baseline results on average; we are interested in determining if those receiving investigational treatment do even better. Join a clinical trial today and experience the Hawthorne Effect for yourself.

Staff Writer / Editor Benton Lowey-Ball, BS, BFA