Clinical Trials - Psych Central

Clinical Trials Articles

Research 101: Understanding Research Studies

One of the secrets of science is to understand the language of science, and science's primary language is the research study. Research studies allow scientists to communicate with one another and share results of their ... Read more... »

Good Reasons To Keep Taking Your Medication

Many research studies have highlighted the phenomenon of the "healthy adherer" — people who take their medications consistently demonstrate more healthy behavior overall. Backing up this idea are studies showing better outcomes for patients who ... Read more... »

Checklist of Questions for Clinical Trial Participants

So you have been asked to take part in a research study! This can be a very satisfying experience, allowing you to help yourself now and to help others in the future. After all, without ... Read more... »

Learning About the Results of Research

In most informed consent forms, the researcher promises to share what is learned from the study with you. These results will sum up the responses of everyone who took part in the study. In addition, ... Read more... »

Will You Have Access to Those Drugs That Work After a Trial Is Complete?

Understandably, if an investigational drug helps you, you may wish to continue to take it after the trial has been completed. In some instances, a medication that is being investigated for use in treating your ... Read more... »

Involvement of Family Members and Others

You may wish to involve family members in some parts of a research study. For example, you might consult with a family member about taking part in the study, or you may wish to look ... Read more... »

What Is Informed Consent?

Federal regulations have been created to protect the well-being and rights of volunteers in biomedical research. These regulations (Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations Part 46 or 45 CFR 46) say no investigator may involve ... Read more... »

Does Research Involve Special Risk?

Well before a clinical study begins, the researcher has attempted to reduce any risk of physical discomfort or harm to you and others who take part. The effort likely began with preclinical, or basic, laboratory ... Read more... »

What Protections Exist for Research Subjects?

Many "checkpoints" ensure that research meets strict scientific guidelines and follows rules that protect the subject. Several groups who are not part of the research team examine both the scientific plan and procedures to protect ... Read more... »

What Is the Investigator’s Responsibility if a Patient Has a Clinical Crisis?

You read earlier about the differences between clinical research and the care you receive from your personal doctor. In most research, an investigator will try to follow the research design: Following a research plan that ... Read more... »

What Is a “Placebo Control” in a Medication Trial?

Studies of new drugs often compare the effects of an investigational drug with the effects of a placebo. If you are considering whether to take part in a drug trial, the director of the study ... Read more... »

How Are Clinical Studies of Mental Disorders Designed?

Clinical researchers call the standard scientific approach for trying out treatments a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Understanding this term, and knowing how and why this approach is used, should help you to decide whether ... Read more... »

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