Reducing missed clinic appointments for neurodevelopmental evaluations
Official title: Reducing Appointment NoShow Through Targeted Pre-appointment Messaging
Run by Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc. · NCT06915480 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test different appointment reminder messages and a patient navigator to see if families scheduled for neurodevelopmental evaluations attend their appointments more reliably.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 1 Month to 24 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 5000 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc. Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 29, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | March 18, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06915480 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
All patients scheduled for evaluation at the Kennedy Krieger Center for Autism or the Center for Neuropsychological and Psychological Assessment are enrolled for the reminder messages, and patients under 18 identified as at elevated risk are included in the patient navigation component.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients not seen at the participating Kennedy Krieger clinics and adults over 18 are not eligible for the navigation intervention and are unlikely to benefit from that component.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized phase 3 trial will compare two enhanced reminder message texts against the current standard reminder language across two Kennedy Krieger outpatient clinics. Families identified as at elevated risk of missing appointments in the neuropsychological and psychological assessment center will be offered outreach from a patient navigator in addition to reminders. The navigator will gather qualitative information on barriers to attendance while the study analyzes which patients are highest risk and how the interventions perform across risk levels. Investigators will also examine whether these approaches increase socioeconomic diversity among patients who keep appointments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the interventions could reduce missed appointments, improving timely access to neurodevelopmental evaluation and follow-up care for children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown appointment reminders often reduce no-shows and patient navigation can improve visit completion in some settings, but combining enhanced messaging with targeted navigation in neurodevelopmental clinics is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * All patients who are scheduled to be seen within the center for autism or the center for neuropsychological and psychological assessment for evaluation appointments will be automatically enrolled in the reminder message portion of the intervention trial. * Patients who are at elevated risk within the center for neuropsychological and psychological assessment are automatically enrolled in the patient navigator portion of the intervention trial. Exclusion criteria: * None for the messaging portion of the study * For patient navigation, patients \>18 years of age will be excluded.
Where it's running
-
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Baltimore, Maryland, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: luther G kalb, PhD — Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.
- Study coordinator: luther G kalb, PhD
- Email: kalb@kennedykrieger.org
- Phone: 4439239439
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.