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Research at RHI

A Leader in Rehabilitation Research

Participating in Research

How You Can Benefit by Joining a Study

Through research, we have learned much about the different types of injuries treated at Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana (RHI), such as brain injury, stroke and spinal cord injury, and ways to improve medical care. We owe thanks to people with these injuries and their family members who have taken part in research studies.

What are the benefits of participating in a clinical trial?

  • Playing an active role in your health care
  • Gaining access to research treatments before they are available
  • Helping others, and possibly yourself, by contributing to medical research
  • Obtaining expert medical care during the trial
PATIENT TESTIMONIAL

Your program gave me my words and emotions back….What a lifesaver!

Study Participant

Emotional Awareness Study

Who can participate in a research study?

Each research study has participation criteria based on factors such as age, gender, disease type and severity, function, previous treatments, and other medical conditions. Reach out to the contact person indicated for the study you are interested to find out your eligibility.

To find out more about our studies and who to contact, view a list of RHI's current studies.

What happens during a clinical trial?

  • The participant works with a research team that generally includes doctors, nurses and other health care professionals
  • Information may be collected through interviews, blood tests or other procedures
  • Bill Dynes talks about the research he participated in with Dr. Hornby, as well as his experience participating in a clinical treatment for training emotion perception that was translated from Dr. Neumann’s research into clinical practice at RHI.
Bill Dynes talks about the research he participated in with Dr. Hornby, as well as his experience participating in a clinical treatment for training emotion perception that was translated from Dr. Neumann’s research into clinical practice at RHI.

Consenting to participate in research

Informed consent is the process of learning the facts about a clinical trial before deciding to participate. When you sign the consent form, you are acknowledging that you understand the study and would like to participate. An informed consent document includes details about the study, such as:

  • The purpose, duration, required procedures, and key contacts
  • The risks and potential benefits, which will depend on the treatment being studied. Potential study-related risks and benefits will be discussed with you and also listed in the consent form
  • Participants can withdraw from a research study at any time

What questions should be asked before participating in a trial?

The following questions might be helpful for the participant to discuss with the research team:

  • What is the purpose of the study?
  • Who is going to be in the study?
  • Why do researchers believe the experimental treatment may be effective?
  • Has the treatment been tested before?
  • Who will be in charge of my care?
  • What kinds of tests and experimental treatments are involved?
  • Who will pay for the experimental treatment?
  • How might this trial affect my daily life?
  • How long will the trial last?
  • How do the possible risks, side effects, and benefits in the study compare with my current treatment?
  • Will I need to stop any of my current treatments or medication?

How is the safety of the participant protected?

  • The ethical and legal codes governing medical practice
  • Most clinical research is federally regulated to protect the participants
  • A carefully controlled protocol (a plan detailing the study) is followed
  • An institutional Review Board (IRB) must approve and monitor every clinical trial in the US. An IRB is an independent committee of physicians, statisticians and community advocates that exists to:
    • Initially approve the study
    • Periodically review the research
    • Protect the rights of the study participants
    • Ensure that the risks are as low as possible
  • John Lummus talks about his experience participating in Dr. Hornby’s research for walking.
John Lummus talks about his experience participating in Dr. Hornby’s research for walking.
PATIENT TESTIMONIAL

I found this study to be beneficial with recognizing my mood and emotions before they consumed me. Not any one treatment has been the answer, but this treatment stood differently with me. It gives me a different perspective of things.

Participant

Dr. Neumann’s research on teaching emotional awareness