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Clinical Trial FAQs

What kind of medications does ABR test?
ABR tests new and marketed brand name prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications and generic medications. For brand name medications, we may test new dosage forms (such as a new capsule or tablet), slow release formulations (which may allow a medication to be taken fewer times per day), the test medication in combination with other medications, or the test medication taken with or without food. For generic medications, we help make sure these medications are equivalent to well-established, marketed brand name medications.

How can I enroll in a research study?
If you are interested in participating in a study, please contact ABR at 888-ABR-9499 for additional information. We will speak to you on the phone to explain a particular research study, to answer any questions and to see if you might meet the criteria for the study. If you are eligible for a study based on an initial phone screening, you will be invited to visit the research facility for a screening visit. You will be asked to review and sign an informed consent form before any study procedures are performed. This consent form explains the details of a specific study and any potential side effects of the medication. Based on the results of the screening visit, you may be eligible to enroll in a particular study.

Is it safe to participate in a research study?
There are risks in taking any medication, including those prescribed by your own physician as well as non-prescription or over-the-counter medication. The known risks of the medication being tested in a research study will be explained to you in a consent form and by our physician researcher and other ABR staff prior to you deciding if you wish to enroll in the study. We closely monitor for any side effects and also work hard to minimize risks to volunteers by carefully screening and testing all volunteers to make sure they meet the study enrollment criteria. We also depend on our volunteers to be honest when telling us about their medical histories.

Do volunteers stay overnight at the research facility?
Yes. Many studies involve staying overnight at the ABR Clinical Research Center for one or more nights over one or more visits. For example, a group of 6 to 12 or more volunteers may check into the Clinical Research Center on a Friday evening and go home on Sunday morning on two or more consecutive weekends. Some studies, particularly studies in patients with medical conditions, do not involve overnight stays but rather involve brief outpatient visits during weekdays.

Why must volunteers stay overnight?
It is important for study procedures and activities to be as consistent as possible in all research volunteers participating in a particular clinical study. This includes the same food, same general level of activity and sleep times, same medication dosing conditions, and similar overall study conditions for each clinical study. This consistency is often necessary to properly evaluate a medication in a clinical study.

What is it like at the ABR Clinical Research Center?
The ABR Clinical Research Center is a modern, comfortable place located in Hackensack, New Jersey within 15 minutes from New York City. The ABR staff are highly qualified, experienced, and friendly and treat all volunteers with respect and compassion. We also expect research volunteers to cooperate with our research staff's instructions and to treat our staff with respect as well. Our research facility is easily accessible by car, train, and bus. We have 72 beds at our clinical research center, which are arranged in different areas of the facility, and can be further divided for additional privacy. There are areas within the research facility for socializing, playing games, watching television, or just relaxing or reading. We strongly encourage volunteers who are staying overnight at the research facility to be dropped off or take a train or bus rather than driving and parking one's car at the research facility.

Are there things to do during a clinical study?
Volunteers may use our pool table, play games, read books, and watch satellite TV. Volunteers are encouraged to bring things from home that they could play (such as video games which can be hooked up to a VCR) or work on while they are at the research facility.

Are volunteers allowed visitors?
Unfortunately, we cannot allow visitors at the research facility for most studies.

Can I make phone calls while at the research facility?
Yes. Payphones are available. Volunteers may bring cellular phones or beepers as well. No incoming calls are allowed.

What do volunteers do for food while at the research facility?
All meals are provided while volunteers are at the research facility during overnight stays (and sometimes during extended day stays). For most research studies, all volunteers are served the same menus. Research studies usually allow for three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and possibly an evening snack. Volunteers are not permitted to bring their own food or to eat any food that we don't serve. Volunteers usually are satisfied with the food selection and quantities served at our research facility.

What if I have a reaction or side effect to a study medication?
As with any medication, reactions or side effects can occur. If you have a reaction or side effect, you will be monitored and cared for by qualified medical professionals.

Can I withdraw from a research study once it starts?
Yes. You are free to leave any time, however your compensation will only reflect the portion of the research study that you complete.

When do volunteers receive their compensation?
Volunteers receive their compensation at the conclusion of study after all study procedures are completed.

I've participated in previous research studies at ABR, can I participate in future studies?
Yes. There is a limit to how often you can participate in research studies which is established for your safety, however, you may be eligible to participate in future studies after a certain amount of time has gone by since a previous study. Please keep in touch as there are times when we cannot find an adequate number of volunteers for a particular study when it is ready to start.