Use of a novel computerized decision aid for aneuploidy screening: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose: To assess whether knowledge following use of a decision aid (DA) for aneuploidy screening and testing is inferior to knowledge in women who saw a genetic counselor (GC) only.

Methods: This is a randomized controlled noninferiority trial of pregnant women at ≤22 weeks. Women who were scheduled for GC were randomly allocated to use a DA before GC or to GC alone. The primary outcome was knowledge score, comparing women who had used the DA only to those who saw GC alone. Analysis was by intent to treat.

Results: Between January and October 2017, 197 women were randomized, 105 to GC only and 92 to DA use before GC. Demographics and baseline knowledge were similar between groups. Mean knowledge score following DA use was not inferior to mean knowledge score following GC only (10.4 vs. 10.6, p = 0.306). Decisional conflict was similar following completion of the DA to following GC only, but was reduced following completion of both the DA and GC compared with GC only (0.22 vs. 1.74, p = 0.003).

Conclusion: Knowledge surrounding aneuploidy screening in women who used a DA was not inferior to knowledge in women who underwent GC. Use of the DA in addition to GC reduced decisional conflict.