The National MS Society is committed to delivering accurate and reliable information to everyone affected by MS, and subsequently reviews many requests for participation in MS surveys. Following is a list of surveys (mostly online) and other research studies seeking to recruit people with multiple sclerosis that has been reviewed by the Society and offered as information only, not an endorsement or recommendation. The surveys/studies are being conducted either by investigators seeking to answer scientific or health policy questions about MS, or by pharmaceutical or medical device companies conducting market research efforts to develop or improve products for people with MS. Further details about each survey/study, as well as contact information, are included at this link: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/research/researchers-need-you/surveys/index.aspx
Interested in Participating in Research? Read about the ten opportunities below:
Caregivers of Spouses/Partners with MS Study
Researchers at the University at Albany, SUNY are recruiting anyone who is the spouse/romantic partner of someone with MS to learn more about these special caregivers. Spouses/partners of someone with MS who provide any care, and can take a brief, anonymous survey are eligible. The survey will take about 40 minutes to complete. Participants can enter to win a prize. Participation may ultimately help to explain how MS affects couples and lead to improved support for spousal/partner caregivers. Call 518-442-4684 or e-mail arivers@albany.edu with any questions or to take the survey over the telephone. Click here to take the survey online.
Nutrition and MS
The purpose of this study is to learn more about the health practices and dietary intake of individuals with multiple sclerosis. The study consists of one telephone interview, 1-2 hours in length. If you qualify to participate, a member of the study team will schedule an appointment with you. A survey will be administered to you over the phone, and you will visit a website on your home computer to complete a diet questionnaire. After you have completed both parts, a $25 gift card will be mailed to you as compensation. To participate, you must be at least 18 years old, have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at least one year prior to enrollment, and have access to a phone and high-speed internet. If you are interested in participating or would like to learn more about the study, please contact Laura Masullo at lmasullo@udel.edu or 302-831-2241.
MS Trial Alert: Investigators Recruiting for Personalized T Cell Immunotherapy Study in Secondary-Progressive MS
Summary: Investigators in the United States and Canada are recruiting 180 people with secondary-progressive MS for a study to determine the effectiveness of TcelnaTM (imilecleucel-T, Opexa Therapeutics) in slowing disease progression in this progressive population. Tcelna is an experimental T-cell treatment made with a person’s own immune cells (autologous T-cell immunotherapy) administered subcutaneously (under the skin). The study, also known as the Abili-T study, is sponsored by Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. The nearest sites to the NJ Metro Chapter service area: Stony Brook, NY and Philadelphia, PA. More Information: To learn more about the enrollment criteria for this study, and to find out if you are eligible to participate, please visit the study listing on clinicaltrials.gov and contact the site nearest you: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01684761.
A Clinical Research Trial for MS Spasticity Does it feel like spasticity is controlling you?
The Command Clinical Research Trial is currently evaluating the safety and effectiveness of an investigational oral medication that is similar to a currently approved medication, baclofen. The study medication is being evaluated to determine whether it is effective at treating spasticity with twice-daily dosing.
If you have spasticity due to MS, you may be eligible for the Command clinical Research Trial.
Participants will (at no cost):
• Study-related exams and evaluations with an MS Specialist
• Laboratory testing
• Study Medication
Plus, you will be reasonably compensated for time and travel.
Please contact: Shore Neurology, PA, 633 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755-Donna Piri Sandler, BSN CRC at 732-575-1695 and check out the website at www.commandtrial.com
Orchestra-Opera
The sound of a new research opportunity in multiple sclerosis
If you have been diagnosed with a relapsing form of multiple sclerosis, you could help with a clinical research study looking at whether an investigational drug can reduce the number of relapsed you experience.
What are the Opera studies?
Orchestra is a clinical research program, which comprises three studies. The Opera I & II Studies are for patients with relapsing MS. The third study is for patients with progressive MS. The aim of the Opera I & II are for patients with progressive MS. The aim of Opera I & II Studies is to find out whether patients treated with ocrelizumab experience fewer relapses compared with patients who receive a treatment that is already approved for MS, called Rebif.
Can I take part in an Opera Study?
You may be able to take part in an Opera Study if you:
• Are 18-55 years of age
• Have been diagnosed with a relapsing form of MS
• Have experienced at least two documented relapses within the past 2 years, or one within the past year.
To learn more about the Opera Study, Please call Shore Neurology at 732-575-1695.
Employment Study for Individuals Living With MS
Investigators at Seton Hall University are conducting a research study investigating the emotional and physical factors that may have an impact on an individual’s employment status, following a diagnosis of MS. They are recruiting US citizens between the ages of 25-50 who are diagnosed with MS, were engaged in paid employment at the time of MS diagnosis and are currently experience a relapsing-remitting course of MS. The study will require a maximum time commitment of 30 minutes from each participant. Participants will complete a demographic questionnaire and the following assessments: the Revised Stress Related Growth Scale, the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale, the Career Self-Efficacy Scale and the American version of Guy’s Neurological Disability Scale. Participation in this study is completely voluntary and individuals may withdraw from the study without any penalty, at any time. To ensure anonymity, each participant will complete an anonymous on-line survey through Survey Monkey. Click here to go to the survey. For more information, please contact megan.castano@student.shu.edu.
Doctor-patient relationships and experiences adjusting to Multiple Sclerosis (the dreaMS Study)
Researchers at University at Albany, SUNY are recruiting people being treated for multiple sclerosis for a study to learn more about doctor-patient relationships and experiences adjusting to this disease. Participation involves an anonymous and confidential questionnaire. The questionnaire is online and it should take about 45 minutes to finish. Participants are eligible for a prize-drawing to receive compensation in the form of an Amazon gift card. The responses on this questionnaire may ultimately help to improve the quality of the medical care that people with multiple sclerosis receive. To fill out the questionnaire, please visit the secure study website at www.surveymonkey.com/dreaMSstudy. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Persons Raffanello, MPH, who is the study's Primary Investigator, at epersons@albany.edu.
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Four Different Research Studies currently underway at the Kessler Foundation
Intellectual Enrichment in MS
Are you diagnosed with MS, between the ages of 25-65, right-handed and have no other neurological illnesses? If you answer yes, you may be eligible to participate in a computer tabled-based intellectual study! This study requires two 2 hour visits to the Kessler Foundation Research Center in West Orange for paper and pencil tests and MRI scans. There are also some home based intellectual activities for 12 weeks. Qualified participants will be compensated! For more information contact Leeann Trimarchi at 973-8399 or LTrimarchi@kesslerfoundation.org.
Do you have relapsing-remitting MS?
Do you choose not to take medication to prevent flare-ups? If so, researchers at the Kessler Foundation Research Center are looking for you! You are NOT required to take disease modifying treatments to be part of this study. Instead, we are interested to learn your reactions to telephone counseling you will receive. It is hoped that this research will help us improve MS care and better understand reasons some patients with MS choose not to take medication. All participants will undergo a baseline evaluation consisting of pencil-and-paper tests and questionnaires lasting approximately 1½ hours. Following this, you will complete four 20 minute telephone conversations about MS medications. Finally, you will be asked to complete additional questionnaires at home at the completion of the study. You will be compensated for your time. To be eligible, participants must: (1) be diagnosed with a relapsing form of MS; and (2) have discontinued taking a disease modifying medication. If you are interested in participating in this study and meet the above criteria, please contact Lauren Strober, Ph.D. at 973-324-8459 or lstrober@kesslerfoundation.org.
Employment and MS
Researchers at the Kessler Foundation Research Center are interesting in learning more about the factors associated with maintaining employment in MS. Individuals who are gainfully employed and/or considering leaving the workforce or needing to cut back on hours are eligible to participate. All participants will complete an evaluation consisting of self-report questionnaires and two paper-and-pencil tasks. Questionnaires can be completed either in person or online. All participants will be compensated for their time. To be eligible, participants must be: (1) between the ages of 18 to 50; (2) diagnosed with definite MS; and (3) have no other neurological illness. If you are interested in participating in this study and meet the above criteria, please contact Lauren Strober, Ph.D. at 973-324-8459 or lstrober@kesslerfoundation.org.
Physical Exercise as an Innovative, Non-pharmacological Treatment of Memory Problems
Kessler Foundation Research Center is recruiting persons with multiple sclerosis aged 30 to 45 for a study investigating physical exercise as an innovative, non-pharmacological treatment of memory problems. All participants will be compensated for their time. Participants will complete paper-and-pencil tasks, receive MRI scans of their brain, and complete a 12-week exercise program. This study does not involve medications. The Principal Investigators are Drs. James Sumowski and Victoria Leavitt. The study takes place at Kessler Institute, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange, NJ. Interested persons should call or e-mail Victoria Leavitt 973-324- 8441or vleavitt@kesslerfoundation.org.