The information below is adapted from an FAQ on the Brooks Rehabilitation Research website.
Is it safe to participate in research?
Participation in research is a choice and involves potential benefits and risks. Researchers at Brooks consider safety to be the highest priority and research regulations ensure careful review and oversight of all research activities. All potential risks are minimized as much as possible and risks are explained and discussed with each potential participant. Physicians, investigators, and safety monitors carefully review study activities and evaluate safety. Some studies, particularly those with higher risks, have safety monitoring boards that provide an additional layer of guidance and oversight.
How do you know a study is right for you?
Research participation is an important decision. Regulations require that the details of research participation be explained to you. It is also helpful to ask questions to ensure your unique concerns are addressed. It might be helpful to ask the following:
- What is the purpose of this study?
- Why might this study be right for me?
- What tests or treatments are involved?
- What are the benefits, risks, and/or inconveniences?
- Will I be paid for study participation and/or will my costs such as transportation be covered by the study?
- What is the expected time commitment such as hours per week or number of sessions per week or month?
- What should I expect from the study team and what are they expecting from me?
- Will my health information be protected or shared?
- How will the study potentially benefit others in the future?
If you or your family/caregivers have any additional questions about the study, write them down and ask a research study member.
How to make the most out of participating in research:
Study participation may have unique benefits for each individual. Your participation in research may benefit you directly or indirectly as well as benefit others with related conditions in the future. Potential benefits may include:
- Experiencing or testing out new interventions that are not available in the clinic
- Participation in health and functional assessments at regular or frequent intervals
- Participation in rehabilitation interventions and/or assessments typically at no cost
- Contributing to science and helping researchers learn in order to develop better treatment methods in the future
- Receiving compensation for your time and study involvement
- Engagement with researchers, clinicians, and other study participants
- Learning about or getting connected with other programs and resources at Brooks
What are the potential risks of participating in research?
Study participation involves potential risks. The research regulatory process helps ensure that risks are minimized as much as possible and all risks are explained and communicated to you. Risks can include:
- Involvement in a treatment that is not effective or beneficial to you
- Inconvenience of study activities (i.e., time, travel, etc)
- Sharing of personal health information with study team members
- Learning about or realization of research outcomes that can be disappointing or unexpected
Finding opportunities to participate in research:
Below are a few links to outside organizations that list current in-progress studies: