DXA Scan Quality in a GLP-1 Clinical Trials: The Need for Site Training

The Scenario

A Biotech running a Phase 2 GLP-1 clinical trial at multiple sites, identified a significant number of whole body DXA* scans were incorrectly acquired and analyzed. After reviewing the scans, Bracken DXA experts recommended a standardized DXA training program for site technologists and physicians to ensure consistent, high-quality acquisition, thereby maintaining data integrity and salvaging the study.

The Challenge

DXA scan quality across sites was inconsistent.

• Site-level expertise in DXA whole body acquisition and analysis was variable
• Frequent acquisition errors were identified including subtle patient motion artifacts.
• A meaningful percentage of scans were unusable
• The trial outcome was being compromised due to inconsistencies

The client needed a fast, practical solution to improve scan quality without slowing study timelines or overburdening site teams.

The Strategy

Develop and deploy a focused DXA training program tailored to trial requirements. The objective was to teach correct acquisition thereby avoiding high-impact errors with immediate improvement in acquisition consistency across all participating sites.

Bracken recommended a rapid, expert-led training solution. This required:

• Leveraging deep in-house DXA expertise to define critical content
• Developing a concise, high-impact training program focused on DXA acquisition precision, error prevention, and DXA scan analysis fundamentals
• Producing a professional training video using PowerPoint, voiceover, and dynamic visual guidance to reinforce key concepts which also provided easy language translation
• Designing a brief knowledge quiz specifically for testing trainee’s comprehension of the material

The final deliverable was a ~15-minute training program that could be quickly deployed across all study sites. From initiation to delivering the final materials, the entire project was completed within two weeks, enabling the client to deploy the training immediately.

The Results

The training program enabled rapid standardization of DXA practices across study sites.

• Site technologists and physicians received clear, consistent guidance on DXA acquisition and analysis
• Scan quality improved significantly, with fewer acquisition errors
• The rate of unusable scans significantly decreased thus preserving valuable study data

The concise, practical format allowed rapid deployment of the training. Furthermore, access to Bracken’s DXA expert allowed site personnel to ask questions, leading to superior study execution.

Footnote: *The term DXA and DEXA are synonymous. (DXA=Dual X-ray absorptiometry. DEXA = Dual Energy X-ray absorptiometry).

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