Unique digital images as incentives in clinical trials: a digital shift toward meaningful participation (Preprint)

Abstract

<sec> <title>UNSTRUCTURED</title> Incentivization in clinical trial participation can be challenging, with many studies failing to meet recruitment or retention goals despite traditional compensation strategies. Digital health evolves and, with it, new approaches can emerge to engage participants meaningfully. We propose unique digital images as a novel, symbolic incentive for clinical trials. Digital images combine qualities such as personalization, ownership, and digital visibility, which may drive engagement more effectively than monetary rewards alone. In our illustrative study, participants complete AI-personalized digital therapeutic training using CURATE.DTx, generating individualized learning trajectories. These are transformed into digital artworks and minted as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), given as a reward upon trial completion. This concept integrates gamification, personalization, and blockchain technology to support both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. We explore the implications for decentralized healthcare, long-term behavior change, and participant recognition in the context of preventive medicine and longevity science. Our aim is to encourage research into the use of digital incentives to transform the participant experience and promote sustained engagement in health interventions. </sec>

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