Official Title Linking Age, Balance, Vestibular Function, and Falls

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to learn how aging in different sensory systems, including the vestibular system (that portion of the inner ear that measures both motion and orientation of the head), influences maintaining balance while standing and walking, and contributes to fall risk. 

Could this study be right for you?

• Must be able to stand
• No leg or foot amputations
• No lower limb braces
• Not currently feeling dizzy/lightheaded
• Not currently pregnant by self-report
  • Due to potentially nauseogenic nature of some motions and to protect fetus and mother, pregnant women will also be excluded from this study
• Weight <= 275 pounds
• No past or current history of:
  • Severe head trauma or traumatic brain injury
  • Any vestibular disorder (e.g., Meniere’s Disease, Vestibular Migraine, Unresolved BPPV/BPPN, Vestibular hypofunction, except that due to aging, PPPD) as assessed using clinical diagnostic tests described in proposal
  • History of seizures
  • Neurologic illness or conditions known to impact vestibular or balance function(e.g., stroke, neurodegenerative disorders, demyelinating illness)
  • Major psychiatric (e.g., panic disorder, psychosis, etc.) disorder
  • Any of the following eye diseases or conditions: amblyopia (or “lazy eye”) or history of amblyopia, diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration, retina dystrophy, glaucoma, cataracts, or any other eye condition that limits vision to worse than 20/40
  • Recent (<6 months) orthopedic injuries of the lower extremities (e.g., plantar fasciitis, ankle, knee or hip injury, back strain/herniated disc, …).
  • Upper extremity injuries requiring current sling immobilization
  • Recent surgery
  • Any other severe health problem (heart disease, pulmonary disease, cancer, etc.).
  • Vision in both eyes must be better than 20/40 with best correction
  • Outer and/or middle ear pathologies
  • Otologic pathologies or diagnoses (e.g. Meniere’s disease, otosclerosis, conductive or mixed hearing losses)
• Must be able to walk unassisted for 30 minutes
• No current use of ambulatory assistive devices
• Normal hearing bilaterally, air conduction pure-tone thresholds ≤ 25 dB HL at all octave frequencies between 250 and 8000 Hz
• Bilaterally, symmetric sensorineural hearing loss with four-frequency pure-tone average (500, 1000, 2000, 4000) less than 71 dB HL
• If interested, please go to go.osu.edu/vestibular to be screened for eligibility

Age Range

18 - 89 years

Official Title Contribution of Glutamate Excess and Inflammation to Progressive White Matter Changes in Psychosis

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the extent of white matter abnormalities, glutamate alterations, and inflammation in unmedicated patients with psychosis at different illness stages compared to healthy controls.

Could this study be right for you?

• No major medical conditions
• No history of significant head trauma 
• Not currently using medications for mental health purposes (anxiety, depression, other psychiatric diagnosis)
• No metal implants that would present a risk to complete an MRI
• No known pregnancy (if applicable)

Age Range

16 - 45 years

Official Title Perceptions of Vaping Products Among Young Adults

Purpose

This study will examine how young adults perceive new vaping products.

Participation involves taking part in a study at The Center for Tobacco Research. You will be asked to attend 3 study visits over the course of 3 weeks (1 visit/week for 3 weeks). You will be asked to bring your own preferred e-cigarette device to each study visit.

 

Could this study be right for you?

• Must be a current e-cigarette user
• Must be willing to attend 3 in-person study visits

Age Range

21 - 34 years

Official Title The ICE Study: Perceptions of E-Cigarettes and Synthetic Cooling Agents

Purpose

This study will examine the influence of synthetic cooling agents in e-cigarettes on vaping behavior and aims to find out how adding artificial cooling ingredients affects how people use a product and their exposure to harmful chemicals.

Your participation in this study will last for 4 sessions, 1 session per week for 4 weeks.

 

 

Could this study be right for you?

• Must be a current e-cigarette user
• Must be willing to attend four in-person study sessions

Age Range

21 - 29 years

Official Title Radiotracer Imaging of Lower Extremity Skeletal Muscle Perfusion in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to look at a new method to evaluate blood flow to the calves and feet. 

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) patient outcomes will be evaluated for up to 12 months after their revascularization procedure to assess how early changes in SPECT-derived foot perfusion relate to rates of diabetic wound healing and limb salvage. Outcomes will be specifically evaluated at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after revascularization at the time of their follow-up clinic visits to the OSU Comprehensive Wound Center at OSU Hospital East. Primary outcomes of interest will be 1) changes in wound size and healing, 2) minor or major amputations of the lower extremity, and 3) any subsequent interventional procedures, such as balloon angioplasty, stenting, or surgical bypass.

 

Could this study be right for you?

Heathly Volunteers with out previous cardiovascular disease

Or 

PAD

Age Range

18 years and up

Official Title Variation in Thoracic and Abdominal Shapes and their Influence on Posture and Seat Belt Fit for Adolescent Females

Purpose

We aim to understand how torso shape and bra design influence good vs. poor seat belt fit, posture, and comfort in cars.

Could this study be right for you?

To participate, you must be female, between 10–21 years old, in good health, a current bra-wearer, and willing to attend one 3-hour appointment at the OSU campus in Graves Hall (333 W. 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210).

Age Range

10 - 21 years

Official Title Evaluation of Wear Experience with PRECISION7® For Astigmatism Contact Lenses in Neophyte Lens Wearers

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the wear experience with PRECISION7® For Astigmatism lenses in adults who have not previously worn contact lenses.

Could this study be right for you?

1. Adults who have never worn contact lenses.
2. Adults who have astigmatism
3. Ability to attend 3 visits over the course of 3 weeks.
4. Satisfy all other study eligibility and exclusion criteria.

Age Range

18 - 40 years

Official Title The KOBRA Study: The Effects of Knee Osteoarthritis on Brain Activation

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess changes in brain activation and processing in those with right knee osteoarthritis compared to healthy controls. 

Could this study be right for you?

• Either two healthy knees OR those with right knee pain from a diagnosis of right knee osteoarthritis with a healthy left knee
• No metal implants that prevent you from having an MRI
• No foot/ankle/leg/hip surgeries in the past year
• No neurologic conditions
• No conditions that prevent athletic participation or maximal effort exercise
• Able to provide informed consent
• Speak and read English

Age Range

45 - 70 years

Official Title Establishing Reference Values and Clinical Decision Points for Quantitative Videofluoroscopic Measures of Swallowing

Purpose

This study will help create healthy reference values clinicians can use to evaluate adult patients of all ages and is sponsored by the National Institute on Aging.  During this study, we will perform an x-ray swallowing exam and breathing tests with persons who do not have a personal history of swallowing problems or any disorders that could contribute to a swallowing problem.  Study participation will consist of a screening meeting (approximately 15 minutes) via phone call, video chat, or email to verify eligibility, and one in-person visit to our laboratory (approximately 1 hour).

Could this study be right for you?

• If you are biologically female and of child-bearing age (<63), you must not be pregnant or breastfeeding.
• No personal history of surgery or radiation therapy to the head or neck (mouth, jaw, neck, brain, nose, face, thyroid, throat, or voice box) other than having your tonsils, adenoids, or teeth removed.
• No personal history of cancer involving structures of the head, neck, spine, respiratory, or lymphatic system.
• No personal history of stroke or other progressive nerve disease.
• No current diagnosis or personal history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
• No known allergies to barium.

Age Range

54 - 89 years

Official Title An Examination of Culturally Responsive, Inclusive, and Socially Just Practices Parent Feedback

Purpose

The research study will examine parents’ - or a child’s primary caregiver - perspectives on an online professional development (PD) training for teachers, targeting early care and education (ECE) teachers’ use of culturally responsive, inclusive, and socially just practices. Parents of young children will be recruited to review the online PD course and complete surveys about the course. A subset of participants will participate in a focus group to share their feedback on the course.

Could this study be right for you?

Parent or caregiver to a child who:

• Is between 3 and 5 years old
• Is identified as Black/African American
• Attends a center-based early care and education program (pre-kindergarten, Head Start, child care, preschool, etc.)

Age Range

17 - 99 years