Regret in Clinical Trial Participation Among Cancer Patients

<b><i>Background:</i></b> This analysis examined regret from participation in cancer clinical trials (CCT) and explored associations between regret and symptom burden, symptom bother, therapeutic optimism, and the importance of spiritual beliefs. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from a study of American CCT patient-participants conducted from 2015 to 2019. Descriptive statistics, bivariate associations, and logistic regression were used to evaluate regret in this sample (<i>n</i> = 325). <b><i>Results:</i></b> About 10% of the sample reported regret. Younger age, increased symptom burden, increased symptom bother, increased severe symptoms, and a lower level of therapeutic optimism were significantly associated with regret (<i>p</i> < 0.05) compared to those who did not experience regret. The final regression model identified that younger age, symptom burden, and therapeutic optimism significantly predicted regret (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Understanding regret among research participants may improve CCT retention and ensure ethical research practices. Symptom experiences may play a key role in experiences of regret in CCT participation.