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Clinical Trials

Clinical research under the direction of the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is conducted through Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Scientists at the medical school are conducting hundreds of clinical trials daily. Learn more about all our work via the Feinberg Office of Research Clinical Trials page

Search below by disease or condition to explore our current clinical trials and find investigator and contact information. For more information about the research or participation, please call our office at 312-695-6829.

 

Trials

Neuromodulation and Neurorehabilitation for Treatment of Functional Deficits after mTBI plus PTSD

The purpose of this study is to alleviate persisting attention deficits related to mTBI and PTSD by treating the neurocognitive system of attention.
  • Adults age 18-60
  • mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) event at least 3 months to 10 years ago
  • Have co-occurring mTBI and PTSD as defined by the Symptom Attribution and Classification Algorithm (SACA) and Clinically Administered PTSD Scale for DSMV (CAPS5)
Pape, Theresa L BenderPape, Theresa L Bender
  • Map it 710 N. Fairbanks Ct. Olson Pavilion
    Chicago, IL
NCT02397668 STU00203773
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D-Cycloserine for the Treatment of Chronic, Refractory Low Back Pain

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of D-cycloserine versus placebo in relieving the signs and symptoms of patients with chronic lower back pain. This study will last for 26 weeks and will require approximately 6 visits to the study clinic. There will be …
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of D-cycloserine versus placebo in relieving the signs and symptoms of patients with chronic lower back pain. This study will last for 26 weeks and will require approximately 6 visits to the study clinic. There will be two groups in this study. You will have an equal chance of being in either group. One group will receive D-cycloserine in capsule form and one group will receive placebo in capsule form. All participants have to take two capsules every day, one in the morning and one in the evening. There will be a 1 in 2 chance of receiving placebo.
Must have a history of low back pain for a minimum of 6 months with or without signs and symptoms of radiculopathy
Male or female, age 18 years or older
Must be in generally stable health
Must have a smartphone that will allow downloading of the pain app
Must be willing to abstain from drinking alcohol during the course of the study.
If female, must be post-menopausal for at least one year or practicing an accepted, highly effective method of contraception or abstinence and plan to continue during the course of the study.
Schnitzer, Thomas JSchnitzer, Thomas J
  • Map it 710 N. Lake Shore Dr. Abbott Hall
    Chicago, IL
NCT03535688 STU00205398
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Project 1, Adaptations of the brain in chronic pain with opioid exposure

In this project, we will study brain reorganization and behavioral responses in chronic pain with opioid exposure. Chronic back pain (CBP) is the most prevalent chronic pain condition in the US. Opiates are commonly prescribed to treat CBP; as such, these patients are a primary contributor to the opioid epidemic. …
In this project, we will study brain reorganization and behavioral responses in chronic pain with opioid exposure. Chronic back pain (CBP) is the most prevalent chronic pain condition in the US. Opiates are commonly prescribed to treat CBP; as such, these patients are a primary contributor to the opioid epidemic. Although millions of people with CBP regularly use opioids, little is known about the impact of long-term opioid use on the chronic pain brain. Through pain tracking, MRI scans, and various other methods, this study will look at understanding the effect of long-term opioid use on the chronic pain brain.
Must have a history of low back pain for a minimum of 6 months with or without signs and symptoms of radiculopathy Male or female, age 18 years or older Must be in generally stable health Must have a smartphone that will allow downloading of the pain app Must be on regular opioid or NSAID therapy for at least 3 months
Apkarian, ApkarApkarian, Apkar
  • Map it 710 N. Lake Shore Dr. Abbott Hall
    Chicago, IL
NCT00301080 STU00207384
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Wearable sensors and video recording for children (birth to 24 months) to monitor motor development

The purpose of this study is to test flexible body-worn sensors and video technology to provide high-resolution measures of motor development in infants, starting from a very young age and continuing up to 2 years of age. This study will enroll up to 200 infants: 100 infants expected …

The purpose of this study is to test flexible body-worn sensors and video technology to provide high-resolution measures of motor development in infants, starting from a very young age and continuing up to 2 years of age.

This study will enroll up to 200 infants: 100 infants expected to have typical motor development and 100 infants at risk of atypical motor development (based on clinician diagnosis or risk factors such as prematurity, neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, neonatal stroke, etc.).

During each study visit, sensors will be placed on the legs, arms, chest, and head using soft bandage wraps or a gentle adhesive. The sensors will record the child’s movements in various postures and tasks. Their movements will also be recorded on video.

These measurements will be completed at the approximate ages of 1-2 weeks, 1 months, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, and 2 years old. Each study visit will take about 1-2 hours.

Compensation will be provided.

If ever it’s too difficult to travel to one of these locations, another option is that we can come to you, and do a study visit at your home.

Infant must meet the following criteria:

  • Legal guardian able and willing to give written consent and comply with study procedures
  • Age less than 24 months
  • Does NOT have open wounds or skin breakdown on the limbs or upper torso
  • Does NOT have missing or incomplete limbs

Jayaraman, ArunJayaraman, Arun
  • Map it 355 E. Erie St.
    Chicago, IL
STU00207900
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Brain pathophysiology of osteoarthritis pain

This research study is being done to better understand the causes of knee pain in people with osteoarthritis, and to identify factors that lead to persistent pain after total knee replacement or recovery of knee pain following a total knee replacement. We are also trying to better understand the changes …
This research study is being done to better understand the causes of knee pain in people with osteoarthritis, and to identify factors that lead to persistent pain after total knee replacement or recovery of knee pain following a total knee replacement. We are also trying to better understand the changes in brain function, senses, personality and performance abilities after a total knee replacement surgery. Participants will be enrolled in the study for about 13 months and will undergo up to 3 MRI scans of their brain.
Must have a history of osteoarthritis in a knee and have elected to undergo total knee replacement surgery (TKR) in the knee. Or may have a history of osteoarthritis in a knee and have not elected to undergo a TKR. Must be 40 years or older and be in generally stable health. Must have a smartphone that will allow downloading of a pain app. If female, must be post-menopausal for at least one year or practicing an accepted, highly effective method of contraception or abstinence and plan to continue during the course of the study.
Apkarian, ApkarApkarian, Apkar
  • Map it 710 N. Lake Shore Dr. Abbott Hall
    Chicago, IL
STU00207973
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XIRB A master protocol for randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 clinical trials of multiple interventions for the treatment of chronic pain

This study is a master protocol to accelerate the development of treatments for chronic pain. The chronic pain conditions being studied are osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain and diabetic nerve pain. The study is being done to see how safe different investigational drugs are and how well they may work …
This study is a master protocol to accelerate the development of treatments for chronic pain. The chronic pain conditions being studied are osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain and diabetic nerve pain. The study is being done to see how safe different investigational drugs are and how well they may work to help people with these conditions. 
Subjects must:

-have osteoarthritis pain, or chronic low back pain, or diabetic nerve pain

-have a BMI less than 40kg/m2

-be willing to discontinue any other pain medications

Subjects must not:

-have any ongoing medical condition that would limit subject participation

-have any surgeries planned during the study

-have had cancer within 2 years of the first visit, other than basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer

-have substance use disorder

-have a positive HIV test result at screening

-have a history of alcohol, illicit drug, analgesic or narcotic use disorder within 2 years prior to first visit

-have participated within 30 days in a clinical study involving an investigational intervention

-have current or pending worker's compensation, litigation, disability, or any other monetary settlement regarding the pain condition, or any closed claim

Schnitzer, Thomas JSchnitzer, Thomas J
  • Map it 710 N. Lake Shore Dr. Abbott Hall
    Chicago, IL
NCT04456686 STU00211998
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XIRB A randomized, two-arm, placebo-controlled, participant and investigator-blinded study investigating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of DFV890 in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study is to learn more about the efficacy and safety of DFV890 and how it works in participants with knee osteoarthritisParticipants will be in the study for about 19 weeks with a 12 week treatment period where participants will get one of two study treatments: placebo …
  • The purpose of this study is to learn more about the efficacy and safety of DFV890 and how it works in participants with knee osteoarthritis
  • Participants will be in the study for about 19 weeks with a 12 week treatment period where participants will get one of two study treatments: placebo or DFV890 (based on randomization)
    • both study treatments will be taken orally with food every 12 hours
  • Male and female adults between 50 and 80 years of age with mild to moderate, symptomatic knee osteoarthritis
  • Symptomatic osteoarthritis with pain in the target knee for the majority of days in the last 3 months prior to screening
Schnitzer, Thomas JSchnitzer, Thomas J
  • Map it 710 N. Lake Shore Dr. Abbott Hall
    Chicago, IL
NCT04886258 STU00215268
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