Can compensation for research participants in a clinical trial be contingent on their completion of the trial?

Compensation for research participants in a clinical trial must not be contingent on their completion of the trial to ensure ethical standards are upheld. This approach is grounded in the principles of voluntary participation and the protection of participant welfare. If compensation were contingent on completion, it might unduly influence participants' decisions to continue in the study, potentially compromising their well-being or leading them to stay in the trial despite experiencing negative side effects or distress.

Offering compensation that is independent of trial completion helps to maintain the integrity of informed consent and supports the ethical obligation researchers have to prioritize the health and autonomy of participants. Additionally, ensuring that participants receive remuneration based on their participation effort rather than trial completion aligns with best practices in clinical research as recognized by regulatory guidelines and ethical standards.