In addition to medicines and other treatments, these factors may include, for example, behaviors, age, gender, and health conditions. Observational studies therefore enable researchers to gain key insights into factors (sometimes called determinants) that may be linked to another condition or health outcome. Like clinical trials, researchers collect information about participants, including how treatments or other factors affect the volunteers however, in observational studies, researchers do not play a role in assigning the interventions. Population-based research studies-which are a type of observational study-are critical for estimating how many people are affected by specific conditions and the burden those conditions have on society. Observational studies are key to learning about the incidence, prevalence, and prognosis of a disease or condition. This ensures that the results are not impacted by any assumptions or preconceived notions of how the intervention will affect the volunteer.īefore being tested on people during in clinical trials, the drug, device, or other approach being studied has been shown to be safe and helpful in a laboratory (such as in studies of cells or tissues in test tubes) and, sometimes, in animals.Īnother type of clinical study is an observational study. In randomized clinical trial, neither the volunteer nor the researcher know which intervention the volunteer is receiving. Clinical trials can also compare two or more existing approaches to determine which is safer or more effective. Clinical trials are often designed to see if the intervention prevents, finds, or improves a disease or condition.Ĭlinical trials may compare experimental interventions with existing products or processes, or with a product or process that appears to be identical to the intervention being studied but which has no known effect, such as a dummy pill (called a placebo). Interventions are, for example, drugs, therapies or procedures, medical devices, or lifestyle changes (behaviors), such as changes in diet or level of physical activity. One of the most common types of clinical studies is a clinical trial, in which researchers work with volunteers to find out how a substance or action, also called an intervention, affects a person. These are carefully designed studies that aim to uncover better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat conditions, or to better understand specific conditions or processes.
#Clinical studies trial
How can I find studies seeking volunteers?Ī clinical study is a research study (sometimes called a trial or protocol) in which people agree to participate after providing informed consent.Who can participate in a clinical study?.Studies Across the Country (Extramural).Studies on the NIH Campus in Bethesda, Maryland (Intramural).Congressional Testimony and the NIDCD Budget.Research Training in NIDCD Laboratories (Intramural).Institutional Research Training Programs.Types of Research Training Funding Opportunities.About NIDCD's Research Training Program.Scientific Workshop and Meeting Reports.Building a Diverse Scientific Workforce.