2/2 PROmote weight loss in obese PAD patients to preVEnt mobility loss: The PROVE Trial--DCC

The PROVE Trial DCC Project Summary
This U24 application from the Wake Forest School of Medicine (WFSM) describes plans by experienced inves-
tigators and staff to serve as the Data Coordinating Center (DCC) for the PROmote weight loss in obese PAD
patients to preVEnt mobility Loss: The PROVE Trial (PROVE), a N=212 trial. We will build on our successes
in dozens of large, long-term trials and epidemiologic studies. Our DCC experience will help ensure success
in the implementation of the PROVE Trial by overseeing all data related aspects of the trial. We have a single
specific aim: to provide project coordination, administration, data management, and biostatistical support for
the PROVE Trial. We will accomplish this aim by facilitating and guiding the protocol development process, by
providing scientifically sound study design, excellent operational and analytical methodology, a dedicated focus
on recruitment, high quality follow-up and fidelity to the intervention, monitoring safety and working with the
DSMB to ensure participant safety and careful study management, working with the CCC to monitor field cen-
ters (i.e., Northwestern, Minnesota, and Tulane), and by leading development and maintenance of the protocols,
manual of procedures (MOP), forms and other study documents. We believe that PROVE Trial will have nearly
all the complexities of large multi-center studies, particularly for the DCC in standardization across sites.
We have several strengths: (1) a team whose members are experts in the coordination of multi-center trials,
including several that are ongoing, (2) experience with cardiovascular disease (CVD) trials including the current
SPRINT trial, (3) experience with exercise and weight loss trials working with the intervention proposed in the
PROVE trial, (4) specific project management expertise, (5) a history of efficient and effective communication
with field centers, the executive committee, and the project office, and (6) success working with Dr. McDermott
(of the CCC) on two prior studies (LIFE and ENRGISE).
WFSM views clinical trial conduct and coordination as a scientific undertaking, which advances through con-
tinuous evaluation and innovation. While web-based randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted
for almost two decades, we will continue to develop new and innovative strategies for integrating web-based
technology into daily trial activities and incorporating other methods of electronic data capture into trial man-
agement. We coordinated ACCORD, which was the first large-scale RCT coordinated primarily over the web.
The ACCORD system has evolved into the Database for Efficient Administration of Clinical trial OperatioNs
(DEACON) system for web-based trial management which we use for all of our studies. We are constantly in-
venting and evaluating new features to add to the DEACON framework.
The highly experienced and talented team at WFSM will create a state-of-the-art DCC for the PROVE trial
using proven (pun intended) coordinating center models. Personnel will be available from day 1 and have long-
standing working relationships across multiple NIH-funded studies.

Grant Number: 5U24HL141732-06
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: WALTER AMBROSIUS