Monday, February 9, 2009

Helping others by participating in research studies

If you have a chronic illness like Behcet's, and especially if you're in pain, it's easy to get depressed. There might even be days when you think, "How can I help anyone else when there are days that I can't even help myself?"

Well, here are three different research studies that you might be able to participate in. You don't even have to leave your home, and each one provides some financial compensation for your time. Better yet, your participation may help with the creation of future programs that will assist other chronically-ill people and/or students.

These studies are being run by the behavioral research company where I have a full-time job as a medical writer. The company is called Inflexxion (pronounced "inflection") and you can see more information about it at http://www.inflexxion.com.

**I don't receive any compensation from Inflexxion by referring people for these studies**

You'll need to email and/or speak with the Research Coordinators listed below in advance of enrolling in any of the studies, to make sure that you're eligible.

Feel free to share this information with anyone else who might want to participate.


(1) Participate in an NIH Migraine Research study

This study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will test a Web-based program designed to help people cope with migraine. Migraine headache is a common, chronic medical condition involving recurrent acute attacks that create pain, disability, and distress. The study will compare the Web program with other strategies used to help treat migraine headache.

This is a 6-month study.
You will need to complete a 2-week daily headache record online.
You will need to fill out surveys at 4 different points in time over 6 months.
You will receive $25 for each completed survey (a total of $100 for all 4 surveys).

There will be two study groups:
One group completes the surveys only
The other group completes the surveys and participates in website sessions.
You will be randomly assigned to a study group.

Why participate?
You may reduce the frequency and severity of your headaches.
You may learn more about migraine headaches.
You may earn up to $100.

PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION
Dan Surette, Research Coordinator
dsurette at inflexxion dot com
1-800-848-3895, ext. 273


(2) Participate in an NIH-funded study for Back Pain

This study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will test a Web-based program designed to help people cope better with back pain. Low back pain is one of the most prevalent medical complaints, affecting as many as four out of five Americans at some point in their lives.

This is a 6-month study.
You will need to fill out surveys at 4 different points in time over 6 months.
You will receive $50 for each completed survey (a total of $200 for all 4 surveys)

There will be two study groups:
One group completes the surveys and received back pain information via email.
The other group completes surveys and reads website sessions online.
You will be randomly assigned to a study group.

Why participate?
You may learn more about self-management of back pain.
You may earn up to $200.

PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION
Elizabeth Yiu, Research Coordinator
eyiu at inflexxion dot com
1-800-848-3895, ext. 255


(3) RECRUITING STUDENTS FOR MyStudentBody USABILITY STUDY

Created with support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), MyStudentBody's comprehensive program addresses the most relevant health-related issues on college campuses today, covering drug and alcohol abuse, sexual health, nutrition, tobacco, and stress.

We are recruiting students to participate in a MyStudentBody usability study. We are looking for high school seniors intending to go to college, and college freshmen and sophomores currently enrolled as full-time students. All students must be 18+. Participants will be able to do this study on their own computers, without having to come to us. We hope to recruit a sample of students that is diverse in gender, race, and geographic location.

Participants will receive $50 for their time (approx. 1 hour on the phone/computer)

PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION
Stacey Mehringer, Research Coordinator
smehringer at inflexxion dot com
1-800-848-3895, ext. 227


If I hear of any other studies, I'll post them here. (I was hoping to include information on one additional study -- a "Needs Assessment of College Students Diagnosed with Autoimmune Related Diseases," which appeared in the most recent ABDA newsletter, but the link no longer works. It's possible that the study has ended.)