Different Types Of Clinical Trials One Can Get Involved In


by Russell Kingwill - Date: 2007-04-11 - Word Count: 417 Share This!

If you are strapped for cash and looking for a little part time work to take the pressure off, then why not try out one of the many paid medical trials that are offered by a professional Drug Research Unit. Let us look at some of the different types of medical trials that are currently available:

ECG Trials -
Clinical ECG (Electrocardiograph) trials, utilise electrocardiograph machine that measures the electrical activity taking place from the heart and represent it on the electrocardiogram, which charts these activities graphically. The electrocardiograph is used to identify, screen and / or monitor cardiovascular diseases. ECG trials include are non-invasive, as they mostly require the volunteers to sleep for the duration of the trial or conduct a relaxing activity (i.e. watching TV).

Drug Testing -
This usually involves testing new drugs before they are introduced to the market. The testing process may include testing to determine either a products safety or how effective it is in achieving a specific treatment. Drug testing can take place of both the long and short terms - in a part time capacity - depending on the nature of the drug and treatment. During the testing process, placebos are often used in combination with the actual drug - to ensure the desired effect was achieved with the patients who took the actual drugs.

Medical Trials - There are four common phases of medical trials:
Phase 1 includes a small group, and looks into the safety of the trial treatment and what side effects may occur. These can be tested with single doses or multiple doses.
Phase 2 is conducted on much larger groups of people than in Phase 1. Phase 2 measures both the efficacy of the treatment as well as the required dosage for the drugs.
Phase 3 tests the new treatment against existing conventional treatments. It looks at other contextual factors surrounding the treatment relating to quality of life including an in depth study of the side effects, visits to clinics or hospital and so on.
Phase 4 looks at existing treatments and drugs after they have been launched, monitoring and supporting the effects of these.

A clinical trial helps medical professionals test certain assumptions, and ensure a drug or treatment is most effective with the least negative side effects. All clinical tests are strategically designed to be as safe as possible for the test subjects. Clinical trials allow these subjects to play an active role in their own health care, at the same time assisting in getting the best out of new treatments and medicine.


Related Tags: clinical, drug testing, ecg trials, medical trials, clinical trial

Russell Kingwill is the online marketer for Quintiles GDRU (http://www.areyoutheanswer.com), who is an independent Research Centre based in London with a worldwide reputation for clinical excellence

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