Clinical trials are an important part of the process of testing new medications and treatments to see if they are safe and effective. All medical treatments and devices must be tested with human subjects before they are approved by the FDA and made available for use.

Because myositis diseases are rare, it’s sometimes hard for a company to recruit enough patients to test their products and show significant results. That’s why TMA encourages individuals to participate in clinical trials if they can.

If you’re thinking about joining a clinical trial, it’s important to ask the research team a lot of questions and feel like they have all been answered to your satisfaction. Here are some things to consider:

  • What is the purpose of this clinical trial?
  • Why is this treatment considered a good approach?
  • Who is funding the trial?
  • Who has reviewed the clinical trial protocol and approved it?
  • How will my safety and wellbeing be monitored?
  • What if my condition gets worse or I have side effects?
  • How long will the trial last?
  • What is the commitment I am being asked to make for this trial?
  • What is a placebo and what if I get this instead of the real drug?
  • How will I be informed of the results?
  • What are the risks and benefits of this trial?
  • How do the risks and benefits of this trial compare with other options?
  • What kinds of therapies, procedures, and tests will I need to have during the trial?
  • Will I be able to take my regular medications while I’m in the trial?
  • Who will manage my medical care while I’m in the trial?
  • How could being in this trial affect my daily life?
  • Can I talk to other people in the trial?
  • Are there things about the trial that I shouldn’t talk to my social media networks, friends, and family about?
  • Will I have to pay for any part of the trial? If so, what will the charges be?
  • Will my health insurance have to cover any costs?
  • Who can help answer any questions from my insurance company or health plan?
  • Will there be any travel or childcare costs that I need to consider while I am in the trial?

These myositis clinical trials are currently recruiting participants.

Have you participated in a clinical trial? Tell us what it was like. What tips would you add to this list?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *