Participant Engagement and Data Compliance in Remote Digital Studies for ADHD, Autism, and Eating Disorders

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has facilitated the recruitment and remote monitoring of large, diverse populations in health research. However, inconsistent participant engagement and attrition over time can significantly compromise the reliability and generalisability of insights derived from remotely collected health data. We present findings on long-term retention and engagement patterns from large-scale, multinational observational digital studies on three conditions: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism, and Eating Disorders. The studies involved 1200 participants; we collected both active data (scheduled surveys) and passive sensor data via Android smartphones and wearable devices, including Fitbit, Empatica EmbracePlus and Oura Ring, over a period of up to two Years. Our results show that a shorter study period, ease of managing wearable devices, and consistent participant engagement substantially enhance the quantity and quality of collected data.