Enhancing trial recruitment through a social media influencer campaign: Results published
Our new publication explored the impact of a paid social media influencer campaign on recruitment for the MeMaF study, a digitally supported care model for young women with severe menstrual pain in Germany.
Recruitment is one of the greatest bottlenecks in clinical research, particularly when trying to reach younger populations. But what happens when clinical research meets the social media spaces where many young people already seek information, community, and validation?
The results of our mixed-methods study included:
- Daily study enrollments increased sixfold during the influencer campaign compared to the prior recruitment period.
- The campaign generated millions of views and high engagement across Instagram and TikTok.
- Comment sections evolved into spaces where women openly shared experiences with menstrual pain, endometriosis, healthcare barriers, and delayed diagnoses.
- At the same time, the campaign also revealed structural barriers, including frustrations around eligibility criteria and healthcare access.
Beyond recruitment, the findings illustrate how social media can function as a space where individuals openly share experiences that may otherwise remain unseen or underrecognized. The engagement reflected not only interest in participating in research, but also a desire for acknowledgment, visibility, and collective discussion around menstrual health experiences.
Full publication (open access)
Lysk S, Witt CM, Canella C, Wiegmann S, Paprott R, Neumayer H, Gärtner T, Konigorski S, Pach D. Enhancing trial recruitment through a social media influencer campaign in the MeMaF study: a mixed methods approach. J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 May 6;196:112310.