Clinical trials test new treatments that aren’t available through standard medical care. While they offer potential benefits, they can also pose challenges.
At Neurology Diagnostics, Inc., in Dayton, Joel Vandersluis, MD, and our team help patients compare trial options and understand precisely what participation involves.
You might picture people testing new pills when you hear “clinical trial,” but that’s just one type.
Behind every medical advancement is a trial that proved it works. In neurology, that includes testing new ways to rehabilitate stroke patients, innovative approaches to treating seizures, and better methods for managing chronic headaches.
The experience varies depending on which study you join.
The main advantage of joining a trial is early access. You get treatments that won’t be available to the public for years. Most medications take at least five years to clear Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approval before reaching regular medical practice.
This matters if you’ve already tried what’s currently available without success. You’ll work with specialists who track your progress closely, with far more detailed monitoring than regular doctor visits provide.
Here’s the catch with many trials: some participants get the real treatment while others get a placebo.
Landing in the placebo group means missing out on potential benefits from the new treatment. You’ll get the standard care you’d typically receive, plus extra monitoring, but researchers won’t tell you which group you’re in until everything wraps up.
Clinical trials demand more of your time and attention. You’ll likely need to:
Think carefully about whether you can realistically meet these requirements. Missing appointments or breaking protocol rules affects your safety and the study’s results.
Clinical trials include extensive safety measures. Research teams watch closely for side effects, often catching problems before you’d notice them yourself.
Federal regulations require multiple safeguards, including thorough consent processes and ethics approvals. Independent safety committees can stop the study immediately if concerning patterns emerge.
This level of attention means you're often monitored more thoroughly than in regular medical care.
There is generally no fee to participate in a clinical trial. Most trials include a stipend — a small payment to the participant to cover the costs of travel to the office. A caregiver may also receive a stipend.
Your participation helps build knowledge that could benefit countless others with your condition. The data collected from your experience directly shapes future treatments and approaches.
For some people, this chance to help others with similar health challenges provides meaning beyond personal treatment benefits.
At Neurology Diagnostics, Inc., we track neurological clinical trials locally and nationally. We can help determine if specific trials match your condition and personal situation.
Our team stays involved throughout your trial experience, providing continuity and addressing concerns as they come up.
Call our Dayton office at 937-224-8200 or schedule online to discuss clinical trial options that might work for you.
