call for volunteers
Postoperative Pain Therapies Following Wisdom Tooth Extraction
The UMDNJ-University Dental Center, Stratford, in conjunction with UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School in Newark, is studying the comparative effectiveness of an investigational drug in relieving discomfort following extraction of a wisdom tooth. Volunteers must have an impacted wisdom tooth, be 16 or older, and women must not be pregnant. Those selected for treatment will be observed postoperatively by a trained nurse, and will receive free pain medication initially and financial compensation of $100.
For more information, contact Stephanie Adair at 609-566-6969 or Fran
Devonshire at 973-972-4777.
Women with Spinal Cord Injuries and Able-Bodied Women Are Sought for Sexual Response Study
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange is conducting a
study to learn how spinal cord injuries affect female sexual function and
to test new methods to improve sexual satisfaction. Able-bodied women and
those with SCI at or below the level of T6 are being sought to participate.
Those who complete the study will receive compensation for travel expenses
and an honorarium of $500. For more information write to Kessler Institute
for Rehabilitation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052, or
call research assistant Marie Dziekan, MA, at 1-800-248-3221, extension
2711 or 2382.
New Medications for Diabetic Kidney Disease and High Blood Pressure
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick is evaluating a new medication for high blood pressure to determine its capability of preventing cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. Volunteers must have high blood pressure and be 55 or older. Participants will receive blood pressure checks, physical examinations and study medication at no cost.
Volunteers 18 to 80 years old with mild to moderate high blood pressure are also being sought for research programs in hypertension. No charge for medical exams, lab tests or blood pressure medication.
For more information on all studies, call Noreen Bradley, RN, at 732-235-7825.
Facial Pain Study
Researchers at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School in Newark are seeking women between the ages of 18 and 65 who suffer from TMJ or temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The purpose of the study is to determine the causes of facial pain and the appropriate treatment. Volunteers must never have used oral appliances or bite plates for treatment. Participants are required to complete daily questionnaires at home for two weeks before undergoing a free six-week treatment program. They will receive compensation of $300 upon completion of the study.
Women between 18 and 65 years of age without facial pain are also needed for this research project. They will be asked to complete daily questionnaires at home for two weeks and will be paid $100 when the study is completed.
The project is directed by Karen Raphael, PhD, and Joseph Marbach, DDS.
For further information call Dr. Raphael at 973-972-8043.
Oral Contraceptive Study
Women between the ages of 18 and 45 who are having regular menstrual cycles every 25 to 35 days are sought to participate in an oral contraceptive research study at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. Those who are between 35 and 45 must be nonsmokers. The study will run for either six or 13 cycles. Participants will be compensated $200 or $400 depending on the number of cycles.
For further information call the Women's Health Research Section, Department
of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at 732-235-7847 or
732-235-7925.
Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack
A nationwide research program, Antihypertensive and Lipid-lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT), is evaluating medications currently in use that decrease the risk of heart attacks. Men and women age 55 or older who have high blood pressure and other risk factors for heart attack (diabetes and heart disease) are eligible to participate. Those who qualify for the study will receive free blood pressure medication for up to five years. It will be conducted at Cooper Hospital/
University Medical Center in Camden. For more information call Lynn
Helmer, MD, at 609-342-2489 or Patricia Niblack, MLT, at 609-968-7269.
New Medication for Type I Diabetes
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick is evaluating a new type of insulin for individuals with Type I diabetes. It may improve blood sugar control during the night. Volunteers who are willing to monitor their blood sugars at home are being sought to test the new insulin preparation. Participants will receive free physical examinations, laboratory testing, insulin and reimbursement for each visit.
Future studies are being planned for people with Type II diabetes who
require insulin. For more information contact Stephen H. Schneider, MD,
or research coordinator Shelley Greenhaus, RN, at 732-235-7751.
Estrogen Ring
The Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick is conducting a study on ways to alleviate urogenital problems of postmenopausal women. It will compare the benefits of an estrogen ring with behavior modification techniques. Volunteers must be between the ages of 45 and 70, in good health, and postmenopausal for at least one year. Participants also need to be experiencing urogenital problems including vaginal dryness, burning, tightness and/or urinary incontinence. Duration of treatment is 12-16 weeks.
A physical examination, PAP smear and symptom evaluation will be provided at no cost.
For more information call 732-235-7996.
Hypertension
Individuals with hypertension who are at least age 55 are needed to participate in an international study being conducted in the Department of Medicine at Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center in Camden. It will compare Covera-HS, a new time-release version of verapamil HCL, with either atenolol or HCTZ. This study is known as CONVINCE, for controlled onset verapamil investigation of cardiovascular endpoints. Volunteers must have one or more of the 10 defined cardiovascular risk factors, such as a smoking habit, high-risk blood lipid profile or history of heart attack. Those eligible to participate will receive free blood pressure medication for up to six years.
For more information call Lynn Helmer, MD, at 609-342-2489 or Patricia
Niblack, MLT, at 609-968-7269.
New Medications for Type II Diabetes
Stephen H. Schneider, MD, professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, is directing a study of a new oral drug, Troglitazone. It is being evaluated for its ability to enhance insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle. He is seeking patients with Type II diabetes whose disease is fairly well controlled with sulfonylurea therapy. The study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of sulfonylurea and Troglitazone. Participants will receive free physical examinations, laboratory tests and the drug.
A second study is investigating Voglibose, which blocks intestinal enzymes that digest carbohydrates. The non-systemic agent may be useful for patients with milder forms of diabetes. Those eligible to participate must have Type II diabetes that is controlled by diet and exercise alone, or with small doses of oral medications. Free physical and eye examinations, laboratory tests and medications will be provided.
For more information on both studies, contact Dr. Schneider or research
coordinator Shelley Greenhaus, RN, at 732-235-7751.