Studies Seeking Volunteers

Several of our research studies are currently seeking volunteers. If you would like to participate in, or learn more about one of the projects listed below, please contact the person listed for that project.

Amputation and Pain Management Study

Telephone Intervention for Pain (TIPS) Following Amputation

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Pain Management Studies

Telephone Intervention for Pain (TIPS) With MS

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Studies

A Study on the Effect of Robotic-Assisted Exercise for Veterans who Experience Arm Weakness Following a Stroke

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Studies

Telephone Intervention for Pain (TIPS) With SCI

Project to Improve Symptoms and Mood after Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Amputation and Pain Management Study

Researchers in the departments of Orthopedics, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington are seeking study participants in a project investigating treatment for pain related to amputation.

Treatment interventions focusing on providing education about chronic pain and how to change how a person thinks about and copes with his/her pain have been used to treat chronic pain in the general population. The purpose of this study is to see if these treatments delivered over the telephone can benefit persons with an acquired amputation. Specifically, we want to determine if these treatments can help reduce the negative consequences that pain often causes in terms of a person's mood, daily activities, and enjoyment of life.

We are also interested in finding out if these treatments decrease a person's pain. Subjects will participate in eight 60-minute treatment sessions performed over the telephone by one of the study’s clinicians. Subjects will also participate in telephone interviews before, during, and after treatment sessions. Participation in the study will last approximately 13 months. Compensation for completion of the telephone interviews is provided.

To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years of age, have moderate to severe chronic pain, be able to communicate over the telephone, and be able to speak, read and understand English.

For more information, please contact Telephone Intervention for Pain Study (TIPS) staff at (206) 616-9058 or 1 (866) 928-2104 or email painstdy@u.washington.edu. Please remember that we cannot guarantee the confidentiality of any information sent by e-mail.

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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Pain Management Studies

Researchers in the departments of Orthopedics, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington are seeking study participants in a project investigating treatment for pain related to multiple sclerosis.

Treatment interventions focusing on providing education about chronic pain and how to change how a person thinks about and copes with his/her pain have been used to treat chronic pain in the general population. The purpose of this study is to see if these treatments delivered over the telephone can benefit persons with multiple sclerosis. Specifically, we want to determine if these treatments can help reduce the negative consequences that pain often causes in terms of a person's mood, daily activities, and enjoyment of life.

We are also interested in finding out if these treatments decrease a person's pain. Subjects will participate in eight 60-minute treatment sessions performed over the telephone by one of the study’s clinicians. Subjects will also participate in telephone interviews before, during, and after treatment sessions. Participation in the study will last approximately 13 months. Compensation for completion of the telephone interviews is provided.

To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years of age, have moderate to severe chronic pain, be able to communicate over the telephone, and be able to speak, read and understand English.

For more information, please contact Telephone Intervention for Pain Study (TIPS) staff at (206) 616-9058 or 1 (866) 928-2104 or email painstdy@u.washington.edu. Please remember that we cannot guarantee the confidentiality of any information sent by e-mail.

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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Studies

Veterans who have had a stroke are needed for a VA Cooperative Studies funded research study, using robotic-assisted exercise. Recent studies of people with arm weakness after stroke have begun to find that intensive therapy can lead to significant improvements, even among people who experienced the stroke in the past. Veterans may be eligible if they experienced a stroke at least six months ago, and the stroke affected their ability to use their arm or hand. For more information or to refer someone, please call (206) 277-3460.

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Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Studies

Researchers in the departments of Orthopedics, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington are seeking study participants in a project investigating treatment for pain related to spinal cord injury.

Treatment interventions focusing on providing education about chronic pain and how to change how a person thinks about and copes with his/her pain have been used to treat chronic pain in the general population. The purpose of this study is to see if these treatments delivered over the telephone can benefit persons with a spinal cord injury. Specifically, we want to determine if these treatments can help reduce the negative consequences that pain often causes in terms of a person's mood, daily activities, and enjoyment of life.

We are also interested in finding out if these treatments decrease a person's pain. Subjects will participate in eight 60-minute treatment sessions performed over the telephone by one of the study’s clinicians. Subjects will also participate in telephone interviews before, during, and after treatment sessions. Participation in the study will last approximately 13 months. Compensation for completion of the telephone interviews is provided.

To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years of age, have moderate to severe chronic pain, be able to communicate over the telephone, and be able to speak, read and understand English.

For more information, please contact Telephone Intervention for Pain Study (TIPS) staff at (206) 616-9058 or 1 (866) 928-2104 or email painstdy@u.washington.edu. Please remember that we cannot guarantee the confidentiality of any information sent by e-mail.

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After SCI, some people experience a cluster of symptoms including poor sleep, low energy, little interest in usual activities, depressed mood and pain. These symptoms can affect quality of life and may be treatable. Researchers at the University of Washington are trying to determine whether a 12-week trial of venlafaxine XR (Effexor XR) is an effective treatment for these symptoms.

You may qualify for this study if you have a SCI, are 18-64 years old, have some of these symptoms, are not taking venlafaxine XR and live within travelling distance to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA. If you would like to be considered for this study, please contact Christian Buhagiar at 206-897-4731.

More information is available at the Project to Improve Symptoms & Mood After SCI (PRISMS) website.

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