Research studies are looking for volunteers just like you. Both healthy volunteers and participants with specific health conditions are needed to help answer important questions impacting the health of our friends and family. Join us to improve the health of others.

Study Categories

  • Respiratory Effects of E-Cigarettes

    Official Title
    Respiratory Effects of E-Cigarettes in Obese Youth
    Purpose

    The purpose of this study is to learn more about how vaping behaviors can affect lung function, symptoms during exercise and activity levels. 

    You will attend five study visits at OSU (three in the beginning of the study and two after one year). Each visit lasts 1.5 – 4 hours. Study visits will include filling surveys, lung function testing, exercise testing, providing urine samples, and measuring how you vape.

     

    Could this study be right for you?
    • Current e-cigarette user (daily vaping for at least the past 3 months)
    • 21-25 years old
    • Normal weight (BMI < 25) or obese (BMI >30)
    • Willing to attend 5 study visits to OSU over the course of 1 year
    • Willing to abstain from all tobacco and nicotine for at least 12 hours prior to lab sessions
    • No lung, heart, thyroid, or neuromuscular problems and no diabetes diagnosis
    • Staying within the Columbus/Central Ohio region for the next year
    Age Range
    21 - 25
  • Assessing Responses to Exercise in the Heat in Trained Women

    Official Title
    Assessing Responses to Exercise in the Heat in Trained Women
    Purpose

    The purpose of this research study is to conduct exercise in hot and neutral environments on women who are aerobically trained and resistance trained to characterize and compare responses across physiologic, perceptual, and neurocognitive domains. Our rationale for this investigation is that its completion would provide evidence as to how women of different fitness backgrounds respond to exercise in the heat and how that response is different from exercising in thermoneutral conditions to better describe how the female body tolerates exercise in the heat with implications for those in recreation, competitive sports, and occupation that expands to emergency and military services.

    Could this study be right for you?

    Aerobically Trained: having a measured aerobic capacity in the 80th percentile according to age

    Resistance Trained: able to squat 120% and bench press 60% of their body weight.

    Unacclimatized: participants had not been consistently exposed to hot conditions (i.e., sauna, hot yoga, etc.) in the past 2 months.

    Age Range
    18 - 35
  • Tear Film in Children Study

    Official Title
    Tear Film and Corneal Profile of Pediatric Contact Lens Wearers
    Purpose

    The goal of this study is to describe the risks associated with overnight orthokeratology contact lens wear in children by identifying corneal and tear film changes. The study aims to describe and compare the tear film components in a pediatric sample wearing orthokeratology contact lenses (used to change the shape of the cornea), soft contact lenses, or glasses. Additionally, the study aims to compare the corneal thickness profile in a pediatric sample wearing orthokeratology contact lenses, soft contact lenses, or glasses. 

    This study requires one visit only. The overall timeline from subject recruitment to study completion is dependent upon subject and examiner availability and scheduling. As long as no changes occur to subject eligibility between initial recruitment and the study visit, there is some flexibility with timing.

     

    Could this study be right for you?
    • Near-sighted prescription between -1.00D and -6.00D
    • Current correction with glasses, soft contact lenses, or overnight orthokeratology contact lenses
    • Has been wearing current correction for 6 months or longer
    • Good eye and overall health
    Age Range
    7 - 17
  • Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Wearable Wrist Band in Reducing Symptoms of Nausea and Vomiting (WINNER Study)

    Official Title
    Evaluating the effect of a WearIng a TENS-device in NausEa Relief (The WINNER Study)
    Purpose

    The purpose of this study is to evaluate if this wearable device can help manage nausea in those who suffer from this problem chronically. 

    If you choose to participate, then you will be given the study device to wear on your wrist for 12 weeks. In the weeks before and during this time, you will complete a series of daily and weekly questionnaires about your nausea symptoms, mood, sleep, and bowel habits.

    Could this study be right for you?
    • Nausea going on for more than 2 months
    • 18 years or older
    • Able to understand English
    • Seen at OSU for their care
    • Able to complete surveys online using either smart phone or computer
    Age Range
    18 and up
  • A Study about Exploring Differences in Attentional Strategies between Autism Spectrum and Neurotypical Individuals in Visual Search Tasks

    Official Title
    Visual Search Strategy in Neurodivergent Populations
    Purpose

    The purpose of this study is to evaluate if people with autism are different from typical people in the way they pay attention and look for things. They use a special test called the Adaptive Choice Visual Search task to see how people search for things in a picture. In this study, we want to know if people with autism do better or worse than typical people and if they use different strategies to find things. We want to understand why some people with autism are better at paying attention when they look at things.

    Could this study be right for you?
    • Male and females aged 18 to 40 years old
    • Normal/corrected vision and color vision
    • Autistic participants must be verbal and have an IQ > 70
    Age Range
    18 - 40
  • A Study to Investigate Where Franklin County Residents Overdose and What Supports They Need

    Official Title
    Where Do Franklin County Residents Overdose and What Supports Do They Need?
    Purpose

    The purpose of this study is to identify places where Franklin County residents have had an opioid-related overdose (e.g. home, workplace, coffee shop, grocery story). We also want to identify what resources people want to see in these places (e.g. NaloxBoxes, vending machines, a motion monitoring device) to help people stay safe.

    Could this study be right for you?
    • Male and females aged 18 years or older
    • Resident of Franklin County
    • Experienced at least one overdose in Franklin County, OH between January 2021 and December 2022
    • You suspected your overdose was opioid-related or someone gave you Narcan
    • Willing to discuss your overdose experience in a one-on-one interview
    • Have access to a private room and an Internet connection, or able to travel to a local public library for the interview
    Age Range
    18 and up
  • Clinical Trial Testing if an FDA Approved Medication Changes Stress Responses

    Official Title
    Orexin Receptor Antagonists as Modulators of Threat Sensitivity in individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder
    Purpose

    The purpose of this study is to see if BELSOMRA, an FDA approved medication that is prescribed to treat insomnia, changes the body’s response to stress. Participation in the study includes 3 or 5 in-person lab visits (depending on randomization), which include EEG and MRI. Nearly all visits are 1.5 hours long, with the exception of one that is 4-5 hours in duration. Visits are flexible and scheduled at your convenience. Participants take the medication (or placebo) for 4 weeks, during which participation is only composed of virtual surveys via a smartphone app.

    The total length of participation in the study is 1.5-2 months depending on scheduling/availability.

    Could this study be right for you?

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • 18-65 years old
    • Generally medically and physically healthy
    • Regular alcohol use

    Exclusion Criteria:

    • Diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, mania, or psychosis
    • Currently pregnant or trying to become pregnant (female)
    • Presence of ferrous-containing metal in the body
    • Inability to tolerate enclosed spaces
       

    Exclusion Criteria varies, please contact Study Coordinator for more information.

    Age Range
    18 - 65
  • A Study About the Development of Learning in African-American/Black Children

    Official Title
    Ontogenesis of Categorization; Linking development, mechanisms, and biology
    Purpose

    The purpose of this study is to investigate the early development of attention, learning, and memory during childhood. Participation in this study includes 4, 90-minute-long visits to the lab per year. During these visits, your child will play 2-3 fun, computerized games. These games are designed to assess various aspects of their cognitive ability. 

    The duration of the study will last 4 years.

    Could this study be right for you?

    Eligibility Criteria: 

    • African-American/Black children who are 4 years old 
    Age Range
    4 - 4
  • A Study About Gene Therapy for Early Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

    Official Title
    A Phase I Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability and Preliminary Efficacy of AAV2-BDNF [Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV)-based, Vector-Mediated Delivery of Human Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor] in Subjects with Early Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
    Purpose

    The primary aim of this study is to determine whether administration of the nervous system growth factor "Brain-Deruved Neurotrophic Factor" (BDNF) to eligible patients with Alzheimer's disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment is safe and tolerable. This study will be used to determine whether BDNF administration reduces neuronal loss and rebuilds synapses in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). 

    Could this study be right for you?
    • Male and Females aged 50 years or older
    • Diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer's Disease/Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s Disease
    • A caregiver is available who has frequent contact with the subject, agrees to observe for adverse events, and will accompany the subject to all clinic visits for the duration of the protocol
    • CT or MRI scans within 24 months prior to screening without evidence of an infection, infarction, or other focal 

    Inclusion Criteria varies, please contact Study Coordinator for more information.

    The below Exclusion Criteria apply to both the AD and MCI groups.

    • Any significant neurological disease other than suspected incipient disease
    • History of schizophrenia 
    • History of systemic cancer within the past 18 months (non-metastatic skin cancers are acceptable).
    • Any significant systemic illness or unstable medical conditions which could lead to difficulty complying with the protocol
    • Use of any investigational drugs within thirty days or five half-lives, whichever is longer, prior to screening.

    Exclusion Criteria varies, please contact Study Coordinator for more information. 

    Age Range
    50 and up
  • Biomarkers for Evaluating Spine Treatments

    Official Title
    A Study About Biomarkers for Evaluating Spine Treatments
    Purpose

    The purpose of this research study is to study four treatments for chronic low-back pain to learn whether or not certain treatments work better for people with certain characteristics.

    The study’s main goal is to find a way to match treatments to low-back pain patients based on their characteristics and how they responded to treatments they have used before.
     

    Could this study be right for you?

    Inclusion Criteria:

    To be eligible, an individual must meet all of the following inclusion criteria:

    • Ability to read and understand English
    • Provision of signed and dated informed consent form(s)
    • Willing and able to receive study-related messages and survey links via email
    • Willing and able to receive study-related phone calls
    • Age 18 years old or older
    • Low-back pain for at least 3 months and occurring on at least half the days in the past 6 months
    • Contraindicated to no more than one of the study interventions at the time of eligibility assessment(s)
    • Eligible to receive at least three of the four study interventions and willing to receive any intervention for which they are eligible
    • A PEG score 4 or higher at two time points: 1) screening prior to the Run-in period and 2) screening prior to baseline (Visit 0)
    • Willing and able to undergo required phenotyping
    • Regular reliable access to an internet-enabled device such as a smart phone, tablet, or laptop computer
    • Meet Run-in period engagement eligibility criteria:

      • Completion of two Run-in study information modules prior to period 1 randomization (Visit 0)
      • Response to at least 5 emails prior to period 1 randomization (Visit 0)
    • Low-back pain more severe than pain in other parts of the body
    • Available to complete the full study protocol (approximately 9 months)

    Exclusion Criteria:

    An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

    • Pregnant at the time of Visit 0 (Baseline)
    • Affirmative participant response to any of the following conditions:

      • Progressive neurodegenerative disease
      • History of discitis osteomyelitis (spine infection) or spine tumor
      • History of ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriatic arthritis, or lupus
      • History of cauda equina syndrome or spinal radiculopathy with functional motor deficit (strength <4/5 on manual motor testing)
      • Diagnosis of any vertebral fracture in the last 6 months
      • Osteoporosis requiring pharmacologic treatment other than vitamin D, calcium supplements, or bisphosphonates.
      • History of any bone-related cancer or cancer that metastasized to the bone
      • Currently in treatment for any non-skin cancer or plan to start non-skin cancer treatment in the next 12 months
      • History of any non-skin cancer treatment in the last 24 months
      • Visual or hearing difficulties that would preclude participation
      • Uncontrolled drug/alcohol addiction
      • Individuals actively pursuing disability or workers compensation or involved in active personal injury-related litigation
      • Currently participating in another interventional pain study
    • Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude the patient from being able to safely participate in in the trial
    Age Range
    18 and up
  • An Intervention Study about Primary Care Algorithms for Early Identification of Young Women with von Willebrand Disease

    Official Title
    Primary Care Algorithms for Early Identification of Young Women with von Willebrand Disease
    Purpose

    Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital are seeking volunteers to be a part of a study looking at how to best screen for bleeding disorders in young women.

    Participants will be asked to undergo a finger prick blood test and complete questionnaires. If their survey answers suggest they have heavy menses, they will also be asked to have a blood draw on the same day.

    Could this study be right for you?
    • Are 9 to 21 years old
    • Have had your first menstrual cycle
    Age Range
    9 - 21
  • A Study to Examine if a Foot Stool can Make it Easier for People with Constipation to have a Bowel Movement (FASED Study)

    Official Title
    FASED (Footstool in Alleviating Symptoms of Evacuation Disorder)
    Purpose

    The purpose of this research study is to see if using a footstool can make it easier to have bowel movements in patients who suffer from chronic constipation. The participants will be given a free footstool to use. They will be asked to keep a record of their bowel symptoms and answer some surveys about their symptoms on a phone or computer. 

    You will be in the study for approximately 12 weeks. This includes 2 weeks before you start using the footstool, followed by 8 weeks where you will be using the footstool and up to 2 weeks to complete your initial and final surveys. 

    Could this study be right for you?
    • At least 18 years old 

    • Able to understand English 

    • Symptoms such as feeling incompletely empty after a bowel movement, needing to strain a lot when having a bowel movement or needing to use maneuvers such as rocking one's body back and forth or using their finger to remove stool. 

     

    Age Range
    18 - 99