BSc (Hons), MLitt, PhD
Head of Trial Management
- About
-
- Email Address
- s.c.cotton@abdn.ac.uk
- Telephone Number
- +44 (0)1224 438178
- Office Address
-
Aberdeen Centre for Evaluation, Third floor, Health Sciences Building
Foresterhill Campus
Foresterhill
AB25 2ZD
- School/Department
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
Biography
I joined HSRU in 2007 as a trial manager. I graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a BSc in Health Sciences in 1993, an MLitt in 1995, and a PhD in 2007. Prior to joining the Unit, I worked in the Department of Public Health at the University of Aberdeen.
I am Head of Trial Management/Senior Trial Manager within CHaRT supporting the portfolio of trials.
Previously I was the Deputy Senior Trial Manager and supported a number of studies including RAACENO, EMPOWER and ELECTRIC (all now completed). I also worked as trial manager on a number of CHaRT trials, including ALLEGRO, BICS, TWICS, CLASS, NIAMI, FOCCUS, REFLUX and the Cysteamine in CF study.
I am interested in methodological research that can be carried out alongside existing trials, including the provision of information to potential participants and strategies to increase response rates.
Qualifications
- BSc Health Sciences1993 - University of Aberdeen
- MLitt by research1994 - University of Aberdeen
- PhD Public Health2008 - University of Aberdeen
- Research
-
Research Overview
Trial methodology & trial management
Research Areas
Applied Health Sciences
Nutrition and Health
Current Research
I am the Senior Trial Manager within CHaRT supporting the portfolio of trials. I also currently work on the BICS trial - a multicentre trial investigating the effectiveness of the beta-blocker bisoprolol in preventing exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
I am interested in methodological research that can be carried out alongside existing trials, including the provision of information to potential participants and strategies to increase response rates.
Past Research
Since joining the Unit I have worked on a number of trials that have now been completed.
TWICS - a multicentre trial investigating the effectiveness of low dose oral theophylline as an adjunct to inhaled corticosteroids in preventing exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
CLASS - a multicentre trial comparing foam sclerotherapy and endovenous laser ablation with conventional surgery in patients with varicose veins;
NIAMI - a phase II multicentre trial investigating whether an intravenous injection of sodium nitrite given immediately before the infarct related artery is opened reduces ischaemia reperfusion injury in patients with myocardial infarction;
FOCCUS - a pragmatic multi-centred randomised controlled trial of surgical HDU care versus HDU care delivered in an ICU and pre-operative fluid loading in high-risk patients undergoing major elective surgery
REFLUX - a multi-centre randomised trial comparing a policy of relatively early laparoscopic surgery with a continued best medical management policy for people with more severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
The Cysteamine in CF study - a single-centre, single group open label study of oral cysteamine in patients with Cystic Fibrosis.
I also supported RAACENO, EMPOWER and ELECTRIC (all now completed) as senior trial manager.
- Teaching
-
Teaching Responsibilities
I have supervised a number of undergraduate and Masters level research projects, including topics such as provision of information to potential participants, strategies to increase response rates, and outcome measures.
Non-course Teaching Responsibilities
Outwith the University, I am a faculty member on the Edinburgh Clinical Trial Management Course (ECTMC).
- Publications
-
Page 1 of 3 Results 1 to 50 of 129
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a peer-delivered, relational, harm reduction intervention to improve mental health, quality of life, and related outcomes, for people experiencing homelessness and substance use problems: protocol for the ‘SHARPS’ cluster randomised controlled trial
TrialsContributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-025-09364-x
Pain and opioids after surgery (PANDOS): Protocol of a prospective, international, observational cohort study
European Journal of Anaesthesiology Intensive CareContributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/EA9.0000000000000092
ColoCap: determining the diagnostic accuracy of colon capsule endoscopy compared with standard colonoscopy in patients at risk of colorectal disease: a study protocol
BMJ Open, vol. 15, no. 9, e104661Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-104661
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/93fd9194-f4d8-4efd-acd8-bf1827c927d0/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Spirometry to manage asthma in children: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (SPIROMAC)
Trials, vol. 26, 373Contributions to Journals: ArticlesPUrE Randomised Controlled Trial 2: Clinical and Cost Effectiveness of Flexible Ureterorenoscopy and Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Lower-pole Stones of 10–25 mm
European Urology FocusContributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2025.08.010
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy, Flexible Ureterorenoscopy, and Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Lower Pole Renal Stones
European Urology, vol. 88, no. 3, pp. 231-239Contributions to Journals: Review articlesClinical and cost-effectiveness of percutaneous nephrolithotomy, flexible ureterorenoscopy and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for lower pole stones: the PUrE RCTs
Health Technology Assessment, vol. 29, no. 40Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3310/WFRE6844
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/1e346e4d-5542-4f65-b03b-92928315c58a/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Secondary analysis of the Game of Stones trial for men with obesity: Examining moderator effects and exploratory outcomes
Obesity, vol. 33, no. 8, pp. 1432-1446Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.24316
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/9168a290-bb3e-412d-8d66-9b51eb1bf39b/download
The PUrE Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) 1: Clinical and cost-effectiveness of Flexible Ureterorenoscopy and Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy for lower pole stones ≤10mm.
European Urology, vol. 88, no. 2, pp. 179-189Contributions to Journals: ArticlesText messaging with or without financial incentives versus a waitlist control for weight loss in men: cost-effectiveness analysis of the Game of Stones randomised controlled trial
The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, vol. 54, 101328Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101328
CATHETER II, a Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing the Clinical and Cost Effectiveness of Various Washout Policies versus No Washout Policy in Preventing Catheter Associated Complications in Adults Living with Long Term Catheters
45th Congress of the Société Internationale d'UrologieContributions to Conferences: PostersBisoprolol for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at high risk of exacerbation: the BICS RCT
Health Technology Assessment, vol. 29, no. 17, pp. i-xvi, 1-97Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3310/TNDG8641
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/51f34404-049e-4f07-99e1-f687f97bcd82/download
Patients and health care professionals’ perception of weekly prophylactic catheter washout in adults living with long-term catheters: Qualitative Study of the CATHETER II Trial
BMJ Open, vol. 15, no. 4, e087206Contributions to Journals: ArticlesCATHETER II, a randomised controlled trial comparing the clinical and cost effectiveness of various washout policies versus no washout policy in preventing catheter associated complications in adults living with long term catheters
European Association of Urology Annual Congress 2025, pp. A0090Contributions to Conferences: Abstracts- [ONLINE] http://300500960
Intravenous Lidocaine for Gut Function Recovery in Colonic Surgery: A Health Economic Evaluation of the ALLEGRO Randomised Clinical Trial
BMJ Open, vol. 15, no. 2, e088298Contributions to Journals: ArticlesIntravenous lidocaine for gut function recovery in colonic surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial
JAMA, vol. 333, no. 1, pp. 39-48Contributions to Journals: ArticlesLaparoscopic cholecystectomy versus conservative management for uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones: economic evaluation based on the C-GALL trial
British Journal of Surgery, vol. 112, no. 1, znae293Contributions to Journals: ArticlesA randomised, double-blind placebo controlled trial of the effectiveness of the beta-blocker bisoprolol in preventing exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Health Technology AssessmentContributions to Journals: ArticlesCATHETER II: a randomised controlled trial comparing the clinical and cost effectiveness of various washout policies versus no washout policy in preventing catheter associated complications in adults living with long term catheters
BMJ Open, vol. 14, no. 12, e087203Contributions to Journals: ArticlesRCT comparing the clinical and cost effectiveness of various catheter washout policies
RCOG World Congress 2024, MTeP-42Contributions to Journals: AbstractsCATHETER II, a randomised controlled trial comparing the clinical and cost effectiveness of various washout policies versus no washout policy in preventing catheter associated complications in adults living with long term catheters
The International Continence Society, 101602Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cont.2024.101602
Patient and health care professionals’ perception of weekly prophylactic catheter washout in adults living with long-term catheters: Qualitative Study of the CATHETER II Trial
RCOG World Congress 2024, pp. 171Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17946
- [ONLINE] Conference Poster
The UK resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in trauma patients with life-threatening torso haemorrhage: The (UK-REBOA) multicentre RCT
Health Technology Assessment, vol. 28, no. 54Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3310/LTYV4082
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/7b808c00-2292-4817-9f30-8081c995abe8/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Patient and health care professionals’ perception of weekly prophylactic catheter washout in adults living with long-term catheters: Qualitative Study of the CATHETER II Trial
The International Continence SocietyContributions to Conferences: PostersDirect and indirect costs of paediatric asthma in the UK: a cost analysis
Archives of Disease in Childhood, vol. 109, no. 9, pp. 724-729Contributions to Journals: ArticlesText Messages With Financial Incentives for Men With Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial
JAMA, vol. 332, no. 1, pp. 31-40Contributions to Journals: ArticlesLaparoscopic cholecystectomy versus conservative management for adults with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones: the C-GALL RCT
Health Technology Assessment, vol. 28, no. 26, pp. 1-151Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3310/MNBY3104
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/90f6837d-ef24-4bfc-8f00-5cb51bea0db9/download
The Bisoprolol in COPD Study (BICS): A UK Randomized Controlled Trial of Bisoprolol in People With COPD at Risk of Exacerbation
ATS 2024, A6612Contributions to Journals: AbstractsBisoprolol in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease at High Risk of Exacerbation: The BICS Randomized Clinical Trial
JAMA, vol. 332, no. 6, pp. 462-470Contributions to Journals: ArticlesPUrE RCT 1: Clinical and cost-effectiveness of flexible ureterorenoscopy and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for lower pole stones ≤10 mm
39th Annual EAU Congress, pp. S529Contributions to Journals: AbstractsPUrE RCT 2: Clinical and cost-effectiveness of FURS and percutaneous nephrolithotomy for lower pole stones 10-25mm
39th Annual EAU Congress, pp. S537Contributions to Journals: AbstractsExploring Opinions and Concerns about the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine on a United Kingdom Online Discussion Forum
Journal of Colposcopy and Lower Genital Tract Pathology, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 117-123Contributions to Journals: ArticlesEffectiveness of conservative management versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the prevention of recurrent symptoms and complications in adults with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstone disease (C-GALL trial): pragmatic, multicentre randomised controlled trial
BMJ, vol. 383, e075383Contributions to Journals: ArticlesEmergency Department Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta in Trauma Patients with Exsanguinating Hemorrhage: The UK-REBOA Randomized Clinical Trial
JAMA, vol. 330, no. 19, pp. 1862-1871Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.20850
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/d02970db-a58f-47ad-bcd5-8ec32213aafa/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
A qualitative process evaluation within a clinical trial that used healthcare technologies for children with asthma: insights and implications
PloS ONE, vol. 18, no. 1, 0280086Contributions to Journals: ArticlesRandomised controlled trial comparing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of various washout policies versus no washout policy in preventing catheter associated complications in adults living with long-term catheters: study protocol for the CATHETER II study
Trials, vol. 23, no. 1, 630Contributions to Journals: ArticlesAn interview study within a clinical trial that used healthcare technologies for children with asthma – insights and implications
ICTMC 2022, pp. 370Contributions to Conferences: AbstractsTrial Forge Guidance 3: Randomised trials and how to recruit and retain individuals from ethnic minority groups– practical guidance to support better practice
Trials, vol. 23, no. 1, 672Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06669-z
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/8ae3f0d0-de0f-485d-9763-8e98e7d37b07/download
- [ONLINE] Correction
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of text messages with or without endowment incentives for weight management in men with obesity (Game of Stones): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Trials, vol. 23, no. 1, 582Contributions to Journals: ArticlesReducing asthma attacks in children using exhaled nitric oxide (RAACENO) as a biomarker to inform treatment strategy: a multicentre, parallel, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial
The Lancet. Respiratory medicine, vol. 10, no. 6, pp. 584-592Contributions to Journals: ArticlesTreatment guided by fractional exhaled nitric oxide in addition to standard care in 6- to 15-year-olds with asthma: the RAACENO RCT
Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation, vol. 9, no. 4Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3310/AWOI5587
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/56f5855f-523f-470e-b91b-5b143227048a/download
ScotCap - A large observational cohort study
Colorectal Disease, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 411-421Contributions to Journals: ArticlesUse of the oral beta blocker bisoprolol to reduce the rate of exacerbation in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a randomised controlled trial. (BICS)
Trials, vol. 23, no. 1, 307Contributions to Journals: ArticlesThe relative importance of information items and preferred mode of delivery when disseminating results from trials to participants: a mixed methods study
Health Expectations, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 419-429Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13402
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/39080414-c5c5-4fda-8551-f180c52c7021/download
The ALLEGRO trial: a placebo controlled randomised trial of intravenous lidocaine in accelerating gastrointestinal recovery after colorectal surgery
Trials, vol. 23, no. 1, 84Contributions to Journals: ArticlesHas the human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization programme improved obstetric outcomes in spontaneous delivery?: An ecological study
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, vol. 262, pp. 221-227Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.05.037
Tibial nerve stimulation compared with sham to reduce incontinence in care home residents: ELECTRIC RCT
Health technology assessment (Winchester, England), vol. 25, no. 41, pp. 1-109Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3310/hta25410
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/9016aebe-b641-4c2f-a466-08fb667e66c0/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Providing trial results to participants in Phase III pragmatic effectiveness RCTs: a scoping review
Trials, vol. 22, 361Contributions to Journals: ArticlesDeveloping the INCLUDE Ethnicity Framework: a tool to help trialists design trials that better reflect the communities they serve
Trials, vol. 22, 337Contributions to Journals: ArticlesIt is unprecedented: trial management during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond
Trials, vol. 21, pp. 784Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-020-04711-6
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/e8e74297-fabd-479d-8049-4556fab01909/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus