What are repeating instruments?

Repeating instruments (or repeating forms) allow the same instrument to be reused multiple times.

Some examples may include but are not limited to the following: data from multiple visits or observations, concomitant medications, adverse events, or repetitive surveys (daily, weekly, etc.).

Enabling repeating instruments

Enabling the repeating instruments requires the Project Design and Setup user privilege.

Project Setup > Enable optional modules and customizations > Repeating instruments*
*A longitudinal project will have this option labelled as ‘Repeating instruments and events’ instead.

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Adding a custom label using a variable name (the name in square brackets) allows the repeating forms to be easily identified from one another in the record home page.

Using repeating instruments

Adding a new repeating instrument requires the Create records user privilege.

For instruments that are allowed to repeat, there are several ways to create a new form using the ‘+' or '+Add new’ buttons.

What are repeating events?

Repeating events requires longitudinal data collection to be enabled. REDCap will allow you to 'Repeat Entire Event' meaning that all the event's instruments will repeat together and stay connected.

Longitudinal projects can use repeating instruments, repeating events, or both.

Enabling repeating events

Enabling the repeating events requires the Project Design and Setup user privilege.

Project Setup > Enable optional modules and customizations > Repeating instruments and events.

In the above example, the ‘Monthly Data’ event repeats, which means that the ‘Check-in’ and ‘Quality of Life Survey’ will always repeat together.

Custom labels can only be used with repeating instruments, not events.

Using repeating events

Adding a new repeating event requires the Create records user privilege.

For events that are allowed to repeat, an '+Add new’ buttons appears in the header section of the record home page.

Using both repeating instruments and events

In a longitudinal project, a mix of both repeating events and instruments can be used.

In the above example, the ‘Monthly Data’ event repeats, which means that the ‘Check-in’ and ‘Quality of Life Survey’ will always repeat together. The ‘Unscheduled’ event has repeating instruments, meaning that the ‘Complications’ and ‘Adverse Event’ can repeat independently of one another.

The instruments in the repeating event can be seen repeating together. Each event has its own set of ‘Check-in’ and ‘Quality of Life Survey’ forms.

The ‘Unscheduled’ event has repeating instruments, meaning that the ‘Complications’ and ‘Adverse Event’ can repeat independently of one another.

Repeating survey instruments

Instruments enabled as surveys can also be repeatable. This can be controlled by the study team, or the survey can enable the participant to repeat the form.

Allow survey respondents to repeat the survey

In the Survey Settings page for the instrument, under Survey Termination Options, respondents can be allowed to repeat the survey.

With the option to ‘Take this survey again’ enabled, the survey will include an extra button before or after they submit. The text of the button can be customized.