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LymphomaNovember 2024Summary reviewed June 2026

What Researchers Found Testing Videos to Boost Black Families' Trial Sign-Ups

This study tested whether specially designed videos could encourage more Black parents to sign their children up for a research registry. The videos didn't increase sign-ups, but offering a gift card instead of a small pen made parents five times more likely to enroll.

What the trial was testing

The trial enrolled 125 patients with lymphoma. The study was sponsored by University of Pennsylvania and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.

Researchers followed patients through treatment and into recovery, tracking the outcomes that mattered most for the disease being studied.

What the results showed

Parents were five times more likely to sign up when offered a gift card versus a pen.

JAMA network open · 2024 · NCT06138145

These findings — that parents offered a gift card were five times more likely to sign their children up for the research registry compared to those offered only a pen — were published in the JAMA network open and represent the headline result of the study.

Researchers tracked outcomes across 125 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.

What this means for patients

For patients with lymphoma, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.

What you can do now

This was an early-stage study about improving trial outreach, not testing a specific treatment. The findings suggest that fair compensation matters when asking families to participate in research. If you're considering a trial for your child, ask about what support and compensation the study offers participants.

Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.