Readability of informed consent forms from ClinicalTrials.gov in ketamine clinical trials for mental health conditions: a cross-sectional analysis.
Ther Adv Psychopharmacol June 29, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/20451253261456385 via PubMed
Summary
Informed consent forms for ketamine clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov are often written at a reading level that exceeds the average adult's ability, potentially limiting participants' understanding of risks and benefits. The analysis found that most forms required a college-level reading proficiency, which is higher than recommended for patient materials. This gap in readability may compromise informed consent in mental health research.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Informed consent forms for ketamine clinical trials on ClinicalTrials.gov are frequently written at a reading level above the average adult's comprehension. |
Abstract
Readability of informed consent forms from ClinicalTrials.gov in ketamine clinical trials for mental health conditions: a cross-sectional analysis.