The following clinical trials and studies seek participants:
Health Promotion for MS
You are invited to participate in a study that is being conducted among patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The objective of this research is to understand the perspectives of individuals with MS on issues related to health activities. We are looking for people who:
- Have a diagnosis of MS
- Hispanic/Latino or African American
- 18-65 years of age
- Speak English
- Live in the community
You will participate in a focus group with other people who have MS for approximately one and a half hours to ask questions about how you maintain your general health. You will also fill out a survey. After you finish the complete survey and attend a focus group, we will gratefully reward you a $40 gift card. The study has been approved by UT Southwestern Medical Center.
If you are interested please contact:
Desiree Griffith
940-782-2672
Desiree.Griffith@UTSouthwestern.edu
Health Promotion for MS Printable Flyer
Oral Medication Study for Primary Progressive MS
The dawn of discovery in MS management begins with you. Consider participating in a clinical research study of an oral investigational medication for primary progressive MS (PPMS). This study will evaluate whether the investigational medication is safe and effective in slowing disease progression associated with PPMS.
Participants must be 25 to 65 years old with PPMS that has progressed for at least 1 year and have at least two of the following:
• Positive brain MRI
• Positive spinal MRI
• Positive CSF
If eligible, you will participate in the study for up to 5 years and attend 18 scheduled study visits.
All study medication and study doctor’s visits will be provided at no cost to you.
For more information, contact:
Kristen A. Ballesteros, Ph.D.
Clinical Research Counselor
Integra Clinical Research
3603 Paesanos Pky
Suite 120
San Antonio, TX 78231
210-853-3964 or 614-4884 option 2
Cognitive Study
Persons with MS ages 18-60 who are having problems with memory or other cognitive skills are sought to participate in a research project that encourages development of strategies to help you improve cognitive functioning in everyday life. Groups of 10-12 people diagnosed with MS who meet the study criteria will meet for eight two-hour sessions in Houston or Austin. Participants will be provided with access to a computer program to practice skills at home to improve memory, attention and problem solving, and asked to complete questionnaires and a series of cognitive tests three times throughout the duration of the five-month project. Each participant will receive $150 for completion of the study.
This study is conducted by Alexa Stuifbergen, Ph.D., R.N., and Heather Becker, Ph.D., of The University of Texas at Austin and Francisco Perez, Ph.D., of Houston. It is funded by the National Institutes of Health. For details, call Vicki at 512-471-9077 or 1-800-687-8010 or by e-mail at maxhealth@mail.nur.utexas.edu today.
Balance Study
Individuals with MS ages 18-75 with balance problems are sought for a study on identifying balance deficits and improving these deficits through the use of a home exercise program. Groups of 8-10 people diagnosed with MS who meet the study criteria will meet at Texas Woman's University in Dallas for two hours of testing and training. Participants will be provided a CD demonstrating the exercise program and an exercise log to guide the exercise process. Selected participants will be asked to return after eight weeks of exercising for follow-up testing.
The study is conducted by Linda Csiza, PT, DSc, NCS at Texas Woman's University in Dallas. Contact Linda at 972-653-2235 or lcsiza@twu.edu.
Young Caregivers Study
Does your child (ages 15-18) live with a parent, grandparent or other adult family member who has a chronic medical condition or disability? For more information contact Christina Marbach at christinamarbach@netscape.net or 210-382-3466.
Verbal Communication Study
Carolyn Baylor, a speech pathologist at the University of Washington in Seattle is seeking help from people with MS and other diseases that can affect speech and communication in developing a questionnaire for health care providers to use. The goal is for the questionnaire to be one of several tools that clinicians can use to help people with communication disorders improve their participation in activities they want to do. We have a large set of draft questions ready, and we need your help to create the final questionnaire. This study is for people who have experienced changes in their speech as a result of MS. We are also interested in cognitive changes, though the primary focus will be on changes in speech. The study involves about an hour of filling out questionnaires online or on paper, and can be done at home. Eligible participants would have MS with associated changes in speech, language or cognition. Participants must use speech as their primary communication method, although they may use writing or augmentative devices at times. Participants must live at home or in assisted living (not currently residing in a nursing facility). Participants who complete the study will receive $20 (choice of check or Amazon.com giftcard).
To participate, contact Carolyn Baylor at (206) 221-3563 or commpart@u.washington.edu. More information is available on the study website at: http://staff.washington.edu/cbaylor. If you leave a message, please include that you are interested in the “MS study.”
Women with MS Study
The University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) is looking for women with relapsing-remitting MS for a 24 -month study to see if there are less relapses with the treatment of Copaxone injections plus oral estriol as compared to the treatment of Copaxone injections plus oral placebo. We are looking for:
• Women 18-50 years old
• Diagnosed with definite RRMS
• Able to walk without any aids such as cane or walker
• Had at least one relapse within the last 2 years
You are not eligible for the study if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, smoke, or have other serious medical conditions. Those treated in the past with Copaxone, Avonex, Rebif or Betaseron will NOT BE EXCLUDED.
This study is being conducted by Ardith Courtney, D.O.., Professor, UTSW, Department of Neurology. If you are interested, contact Gina Remington, the study coordinator at (214)645-0560. This trial is funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the National Institutes of Health. For more information, click here.
Cognitive / Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Study
Only patients with a diagnosis of relapsing, remitting Clinically Definitive Multiple Sclerosis (CDMS) or Clinically Isolated Syndrome will be included in the study. Time since diagnosis optimally within 2 or 3 years. For more information, click here.
Acute Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial (O.C.T.A.G.O.N. - TEVA Neuroscience)
Acute Optic Neuritis (AON) affects about 3 patients per 100,000 in the United States. Currently there are no options for their treatment other than steroid administration. Dr. Rosa Tang, MD is a principal investigator for a research study evaluating the clinical effectiveness and safety of Copaxone®, once daily injection, for patients with a first episode of AON.
The OCTAGON study is a multi-center, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that is being conducted within the United States. We are currently enrolling participants in this study and these patients will receive standard of care therapy, plus Copaxone once daily or placebo. All trial related costs will be covered by the Sponsor, Teva Neuroscience. Patients will receive a free eye exam. For more information, click here.