Texting patients after a break: simple SMS may boost bone screening
NCT ID NCT01915745
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether sending three text message reminders to adults over 50 who had a low-trauma fracture would encourage them to get a bone density test. The goal was to improve screening for osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones. Researchers enrolled 97 patients from an emergency department and followed up at 6 months to see if the SMS reminders led to more bone density scans and treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- SMS reminders
- What this could lead to
- If effective, simple text reminders could help more people get bone density tests after a fracture, potentially catching osteoporosis earlier.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with only 97 participants. The approach may not work for everyone or in different healthcare settings.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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97 people
The number who actually took part.
- Start date
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Feb 2014
- Finished
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Dec 2015
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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50 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients of more than 50 years old * Low trauma non vertebral fracture * Ambulatory patient * Direct access to mobile phone (or access with the help of a close person) and ability to communicate via SMS. * Patient who doesn't oppose to his participation in the study * Affiliation to the social security Exclusion Criteria: * Patients hospitalized for the fracture in the orthopaedics department because these more severe patients have a systematic screening and management of osteoporosis. * Fractures whose location is not suggestive of osteoporotic fracture (cervical spine, skull, hands, fingers, toes) * Pathological fractures (cancer or myeloma) * Traumatic fractures * Severe alterations of cognitive functions * Resident subjects except Paris and the surrounding area
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hospital Cochin
Paris, 75014, France