Current Research Studies in the Seattle Area

Updated 3/5/08

Management of Pain in Persons with MS Study

Researchers in the department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington are seeking study participants who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a project investigating treatment for chronic pain.
 
This research study is intended to investigate if treatments that include self-hypnosis training, provide education about chronic pain, and focus on how to change how a person thinks about his/her pain can benefit persons with MS who have chronic pain. If the treatment you receive is effective for you, you may experience a decrease in your daily pain.  As a result, pain may interfere less with your daily activities. 

This study involves participation in 16 face-to-face sessions of treatment and periodic telephone interviews over the course of 4-6 months.  Treatment sessions will take place either at the University of Washington Medical Center, the Harborview Medical Center or at your home, depending on your availability and the availability of the investigators.  Compensation for parking will be provided.

To participate in this study you must have a MS diagnosis (confirmed by a physician), be at least 18 years of age, have moderate to severe chronic pain, and meet other study criteria.

Cutoff date for recruitment is 8/1/08.

For more information please contact the Management of Pain in Persons with MS Study staff at 206-616-9058 or 1-800-377-9707. Added 3/5/08

Exploring Caregiving in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Volunteers Needed!

Researchers at the University of Washington’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine are currently conducting a study called “Exploring Caregiving in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).” The purpose of the study is to explore the changes in roles and relationships between individuals with MS and their caregiving spouse or partner. The study will examine the challenges that couples dealing with MS face and how roles and relationships change because of MS. Participants will be asked to fill out a survey and then meet with researchers for two 1-hour, in-person interviews. Interviews will be conducted at a place and time that is convenient for participants.

To be eligible for the study, both the person with MS and their spouse/partner will agree to complete a survey and participate in the interviews. This is because we are interested in hearing about the challenges and strategies that both partners use to adapt to changes in their relationship that are due to MS. Each person will receive $25 for each interview. If you and your partner are interested and have experienced changes in roles and/or your relationship due to MS, please contact Kara Mackenzie at ( 206) 221-5642.

Early Vocational Intervention Study

Do you have Multiple Sclerosis? Are you concerned with how this is affecting or may affect your employment status?

Researchers at the University of Washington Department of Rehabilitation Medicine are currently conducting a study called “Early Vocational Intervention in Multiple Sclerosis”. Physical, cognitive, and communication impairments and symptoms related to MS can all act as barriers to full-time employment and satisfaction in the workplace. The purpose of our study is to determine whether a brief counseling intervention will help people with MS who want to continue working make plans about potential accommodations and develop other strategies that may help increase satisfaction in the workplace.

All study participants will be asked to complete a survey and brief employment questionnaires and participate in a series of motivational counseling sessions over the phone. Active involvement will last approximately 12 to 18 months, and study participants will receive $100 for their time and participation. If you are interested, please contact Kara at (206) 221-5642 or email her at karam2@u.washington.edu.

Stress and MRI Changes in Multiple Sclerosis Study
MS Center at Evergreen in Kirkland (formerly the MS Hub, Seattle)

Researchers at the UW Dept of Rehabilitation Medicine are currently conducting a study called "Effectiveness of Exercise as a Treatment for Depression in People with MS".  The purpose of our study is to determine whether exercise is an effective treatment for depression in people with MS.

We are looking for people who:

• have MS
• are currently suffering from depression
• are over 18 years of age
• can walk 300 feet without a cane

Study participants will be asked to come to the University of Washington 3 times over the course of 6 months to complete questionnaires.  In addition, all participants will be offered the opportunity to receive motivational counseling and a home exercise program.  Study participants will receive $90 for their time and participation.  Cuttoff date for application to this study is 2008.  If you are interested, please contact Kara at (206) 221-5642 or email her at karam2@u.washington.edu.

Relaxation Study

Relaxation treatments that include hypnosis and biofeedback components have been used to treat chronic pain in the general population. The purpose of this study is to see if these types of treatments can help reduce chronic pain.  There will be ten face-to-face sessions of relaxation treatment and periodic telephone interviews over the course of a year. 

You must be at least 18 years of age to participate in this study, have moderate to severe chronic pain, and not have had suicidal thoughts in the last six months. The grant for this study runs through July 2007.  Call the University of Washington Quality of Life Study at 206-616-9058 or 1-800-377-9707 or email at painstdy@u.washington.edu 

MS Medication Study via Internet

The basic goal of the study is to collect information about patients' experience of their MS medications - in particular, how efficacious they are, how they affect quality of life and what side-effect result from taking the medicines. In this way, we hope to get a picture of how MS treatment works in the real world, as opposed to a clinical trial. Further, we are very much focused on the patient's view of what works for them and what does not. Note that the study simply involves filling out a questionnaire online and so does not require patients to visit their doctor or change their therapy in any way.

If you think that this would be a study you might be interested in participating in, please visit our website http://www.axitus.com.

New UW MS Research and Training Center

The University of Washington has received notification from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research that it will receive $3.5 million for a Multiple Sclerosis Research and Training Center, renewable every 5 years.

UW Medical Center's MS Clinic currently treats more than 750 patients. With the new grant, 1,200 MS patients will be enrolled in various research studies proposed for the grant. They will be drawn from the five-state region served by the UW School of Medicine (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho), as well as Hawaii.  Currently funded through 2008 - 2009.

Please contact 1-888-634-6778 for information on current research studies.

Was this information helpful? Then please consider making a donation. We are a small, independent nonprofit agency and are dependent on donations from our supporters. Thank you from all the staff at the MSA.

Home     Disclaimer     Privacy Policy    Site Map    Articles

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of King County
753 North 35th St., Suite 208, Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: 206-633-2606      Fax: 206-633-2920
Email: info@msakc.org